Location: London, EC4

Salary: circa £47,000 (depending on experience)

Accountable to: Head of Finance

Contract type: Permanent, full time (open to flexible working)                                                                      

Overall Purpose of the Role:

This is an exciting opportunity to join a motivated team and play a critical role in supporting all financial processes at Big Society Capital. Your work will be complex and varied, offering exposure to a range of pioneering projects across Big Society Capital’s corporate and investment activity.

The position will have an initial focus on month end processes and production of the management accounts, assisting with the development of management information that enables deeper understanding of the organisation and its performance. You will also support investment accounting, fund and treasury accounting, the preparation of statutory reporting and returns; managing Big Society Capital’s liquidity and cash flow; and preparing and monitoring departmental budgets. The position will ensure that effective financial controls and procedures are maintained and will include some responsibility for the valuation of investments. 

Internal Contacts:

Work in the Finance team consisting of the CFO, Head of Finance, Senior Finance Manager and Management Accountant. Extensive contact with all members of staff, particularly the Investment team, the Legal and Compliance team and the Operations team. Contact with Executive Committee members to get authorisations and develop/monitor budgets.

External Contacts:

Auditors, bank, treasury management providers, regulatory advisers, FCA, HMRC, investees

Other Requirements:

Flexibility to develop the role and take on additional tasks as required

Key Accountabilities:

• Support the month end process, including reporting to Senior Management and the FCA.

• Develop departmental budgets and input into the forecasting process.

• Manage the organisation’s liquidity effectively, so that funds are available when required.

• Support statutory reporting, including group consolidation, and liaise with auditors to ensure accurate and timely completion of the year end process.

• Preparation of annual tax returns and other tax requirements, liaising with external Tax advisers as required.

• Assist with the preparation of FCA reporting and other requirements.

• With the team, maintain and develop accurate accounting systems, records and reporting, with adequate financial controls. Review and develop processes for the valuation and financial monitoring of Big Society Capital’s social investment portfolio, including preparation for the Quarterly Valuation Committee.

• Review quarterly Fund reporting and Audited Accounts from BSC’s investments and ensure Fund income and expenditure and valuation gains/losses are accurately recorded in BSC’s accounting system.  Liaison with Fund Managers as required.

• With the team, research and stay current with accounting standards, guidance and legislation, and apply to BSC’s financial and FCA reporting requirements.

• Undertake project work to support the development of BSC and the finance function, including supporting the introduction of external social impact investing products.

PERSON PROFILE

Essential:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CA)

• Sound and up to date knowledge of UK GAAP

• Development of management information and insightful analysis

• Development of internal control procedures and frameworks

• Previous experience in a similar position

Desirable:

• 2-5 years post qualified experience

• Charity or not-for-profit organisation experience

• Social Investment experience

• FCA regulatory reporting

• Knowledge of IPEV valuation guidelines

• Investment management, Fund Accounting or financial services experience

Special Aptitudes

• Strong IT skills, particularly Excel

• Demonstrates excellent financial and numerical awareness: fully conversant with financial accounts and accounting procedures

• Relevant knowledge of accounting IT systems

• Embraces complex data

• Good communication skills

• Ability to apply statutory principles, guidelines and legislation in practice

• Excel modelling skills (Desirable)

Disposition

• Strong team player

• Builds solid relationships with key stakeholders

• Superior judgment, discretion and utmost integrity

• Flexible and willing to take on different tasks as required

Thinking Style

• Analytical with excellent attention to detail

• Well organised & able to prioritise

Circumstances

• Able to work outside of standard working hours on occasion to meet deadlines

• Big Society Capital is open to explore a degree of flexible working

Salary and terms of employment

• This is a permanent, full time role, open to flexible working;

• All applicants must have an existing Right to Work in the UK;

• Salary – circa £47,000 (depending on experience);

• Big Society Capital is committed to being a diverse organisation that is truly representative of the communities we serve. We are an equal opportunities employer with an inclusive environment where all employees can contribute to their fullest potential.

Benefits include:

• 25 days holidays (plus bank holidays and additional closure days). Allowance increases with length of service

• Season ticket loan

• Pension of up to 11% employer contribution

• Flexible working options

• Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)

• Private health and life insurance policy

Applications

• Deadline – Sunday 26th January 2020;

• Interviews – If your application is successful, you will be invited to a first-stage interview with Big Society Capital in early February. Second-stage interviews will take place in mid-February.