Head of Financial Control

The Financial Controller is responsible for overall financial governance within Comic Relief group including responsibility for all financial systems, investment and treasury management, legal compliance relating to financial matters and the production of financial information.

Key Accountabilities / Objectives

• To design and set a suitable financial control environment and processes for the organisation.

• Supervise the processing of all financial transactions, ensure the month end deadlines are met and that all bank and control account reconciliations have been completed.

• Maintain appropriate chart of accounts and support the development of finance systems and procedures across the organisation.

• Sign off weekly payment runs for grants and suppliers and ensure delegated authorities are followed.

• Manage annual external audit and statutory accounts preparation.

• Prepare a month cashflow and balance sheet for the organisation and presentation for committees.

• Prepare papers as required for the committees as required.

• Oversee Comic Relief’s investment portfolio, ensuring accurate recording of transactions and drafting of papers for the Investment Committee and Trustees meetings.

• Ensure appropriate treatment of transactions to be compliant with the Charity SORP.

• Manage cash holdings to maximise interest received.

• Work with the Digital and Innovation Team to ensure appropriate controls over the campaign income totals, public donations, corporate contributions, and tracking restricted and designated income.

• Manage both Charity Projects and sub companies tax status in line with regulations and provide tax and accounting advice to the wider organisation as required.

• Line manage of staff within the financial control team.

Essential Education and Skills

• Qualified accountant with relevant post qualified experience.

• Extensive experience of using finance systems – Great Plains would be desirable.

• Knowledge of Charities SORP, statutory accounting regulations, VAT (including exempt, partial exemptions and reverse VAT), PAYE and other payroll taxes, and Gift Aid.

• Extensive experience of working in a finance function and managing staff.

Key Competencies

• Confident decision maker, with high resilience that can lead and motivate teams and thrives in cross-functional and collaborative working.

• Effective relationship builder with strong emotional intelligence and political awareness to proactively challenge and persuade senior stakeholders and partners.

• Analytical thinker with exceptional communication skills that engage and inspire.

• Dynamic professional with a positive, solution orientated and fun approach.