The Role
Job Description
Title | Chief Finance Officer - Charity
Responsible for | Charity Finance Department
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Accountable to | Chief Executive
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The post will be based at the Royal Brompton Hospital although occasional travel to Harefield Hospital will be required.
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Job Summary
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Subject to the directions of the Charity Trustee Board (Trustee Board) , to act as the Financial Leadership, financial management and administration of Royal Brompton & Harefield Hospitals Charity (the Charity), a Charity holding over £125m of assets and a vibrant fundraising function.
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To line manage and lead, professionally, managerially and operationally the Financial function of the Charity acting as a role model for the team and the Charity.
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To act as the arbiter on Charity accounting matters/issues subject to views of the Property & Investment Committee.
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To be responsible for the preparation of the Charity annual statutory accounts and report and to ensure that statutory accounting deadlines are met timeously
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To work closely with External and Internal Auditors to incorporate best practice into the workings of the Charity Finance function and to lead and co-ordinate the timely implementation of audit recommendations.
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With the Chief Executive, to be responsible for medium-term financial strategy
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To be responsible for the preparation of Management Accounts in line with required timescales, ensuring information for Trustees and executives is accurate, timely and relevant.
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To ensure compliance with Charity Commission’s financial reporting requirements.
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To implement Charitable Funds policies and strategies with regards to all aspects of the Charity and to manage the day-to-day relationship with Charity/Trust stakeholders.
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To produce the annual Budget for approval by the Trustee Board.
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Responsible for the preparation, collation, accuracy and timely submission of all external returns.
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Responsible for the Charity cash balances and Cashflow forecasts ensuring that a consistent and robust cash forecasting system is in place.
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To monitor outturn against budget forecasts both short, medium and long term and to prepare reports as required for the Chief Executive, Fundraising Director, trustee board and investment committee flagging issues and risks where appropriate / required.
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To undertake the production, analysis, interpretation and comparison of the financial aspects of complex problems and business cases which may incorporate external legal & commercial advice.
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Responsibility for advising the Chief Executive and the Property & Investment Committee on how resources should be allocated within the Charity and how financial risks should be managed flagging as appropriate any risk factors be they internal or external...
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To represent the Charity function at management and operational committees acting as a role model and advocate for the Charity.
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To provide expert knowledge of financial and accounting procedures, international financial reporting procedures, legislation, Charity financial policy and the financial impact of Charity policy.
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In conjunction with the Chief Executive, be responsible for the drafting and maintenance of financial policies and procedures.
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To deal with matters and issues related to legacies including correspondence with the Executors and Solicitors.
Main tasks & responsibilities:
External relations
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Providing assistance and advice to potential donors (who are often ex patients or relatives of patients) as well as occasionally discussing legacy matters with bereaved relatives.
Policy development
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The post-holder is responsible for the development of financial policies and processes to be implemented within the Charity. This will include internal issues, together with the requirements of NHS and Charity Commission policy and will include future proofing the Charity against external influences and managing any pipeline initiatives well in advance of implementation
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To support the chief executive in the development of the short, medium and long term financial strategy.
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The post holder will have discretion to use their initiative and act independently and autonomously to interpret overall Charity policy and financial standards in order to establish clear operational goals, policies and standards for use by others within the Charity. The post holder will also need to ensure that staff across the organisation is aware of and abide by these policies.
Service development
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To continuously lead, develop and improve the service provided by the Finance Dept.
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To lead on all aspects of the charitable funds accounting function
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To identify financial and other risks to the Charitable Funds and incorporate these into the Charity Risk Register. Update and maintain the Risk Register on a timely basis
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To be responsible for the monitoring of funds within the charity as well as providing fundholders with financial advice and to ensure they comply with NHS and charities act regulations as well as the objectives of the charity and his / her own fund.
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To analyse complex problems relating to charitable funds and to make judgement on financial decisions, allocation of grants and financial risk where no precedent exists.
People management
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To provide professional leadership and to drive financial stewardship across the Charity. As a line manager, plan and manage the workload of the department and support its development to ensure it meets the operational and strategic needs of the Charity, whilst supporting and developing the skills of the individuals.
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To ensure appropriate training is provided for non-finance staff inc mandatory requirements
Communication
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The post holder must have excellent communication skills, being able to communicate complex, sensitive or contentious financial information effectively and persuasively, both orally and in writing, to all levels of the organisation and to external influencers / investors
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Frequently work directly with Trust Directors and Charity Trustees, whether in Statutory Committees, formal Committees or ad hoc management groups established for specific purposes. The post holder will be expected to be able to influence and persuade staff at all levels of the organisation.
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To deputise for the Chief Executive as required. At all times the post holder will be expected to present themselves as an excellent ambassador for the Charity and its objectives.
Analytical & Judgmental Skills
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Interpretation of Charity policy, the impact of decisions and the financial requirements of, or consequences to, the Trust’s and Charity’s key activities.
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To undertake the production, analysis, interpretation and comparison of the financial aspects of highly complex problems and business cases. This will include advising the Chief Executive and Trustee Board on how resources should be allocated, and how financial risks should be managed where there is no precedent.
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The post holder will be expected to be able to manage a multiplicity of targets and objectives, while ensuring that expert judgements and advice is provided to the Charity at all times.
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The post holder must be able to make judgements on financial decisions where there is no precedent, and where leading opinions may conflict. This will include the interpretation of NHS and Charity policy, the impact of decisions and the financial requirements of or consequences to the Trust’s and Charity’s key activity. In particular the postholder will be expected to provide this advice to the Charity Trustees as well as the Trust’s Directors, Consultants, Senior Managers and Fund Holders.
Resource management
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To be the budget holder and authorised signatory in accordance with the Charity’s Scheme of Delegation for Financial Accounts.
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To be an authorised signatory for the signing of cheques drawn down on the Charity’s bank accounts.
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To ensure other officers of the Charity are acting in accordance with the Standing Financial Instructions and other operational financial procedures of the Charity.
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To take the lead in developing the Charity’s annual budget and financing plans, ensuring this is achieved within agreed timescales, and is complete, accurate and relevant.
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To lead on all aspects of Charitable Funds budgetary reporting, this will include reporting to fund holders and the Trustee Board on a timely basis. The post holder will be expected to review the reporting needs of the Charity on a regular basis, and undertake work as necessary to meet new or changing information needs.
Information management
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To support financial reporting and the Charity’s objectives through the management and development of financial information and systems. This includes the development of ad hoc information systems utilising a range of PC based software applications (e.g. excel and access).
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To drive technological changes in the use of financial systems and reporting infrastructure.
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To advise and influence the managers of other systems in order to ensure the non-financial information needs of the Charity are met.
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To ensure the financial information needs of the Charity continue to be met by seeking to identify requirements for, and opportunities to acquire or develop new financial systems.
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To be responsible for the suitability of data recorded in any personal and department area of the Charity’s IT system
Person Specification
Education and Qualifications
Essential
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CCAB qualification with extensive PQE in an NHS or Charity senior finance role
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Degree qualification
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Evidence of CPD
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To take responsibility for own continual personal development.
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Desirable
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MBA
Skills and Abilities
Essential
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Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate complex financial data to non-finance managers.
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Analytical skills to solve complex financial problems.
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Confident user of software applications inc but not exclusively (i.e. Microsoft Office, with accurate output.
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Able to form judgements and make autonomous decisions guided by policies and procedures.
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Able to understand and interpret national financial and Charitable policies and advising the Charity on implementation.
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Experience of planning to formulate the delivery of financial services at both operational and strategic levels.
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To be able to deal with a multiplicity of targets and objectives and to make judgements regarding allocation of finances as well as judgements on financial decisions and risks.
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Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances such as discussing legacies and donations with bereaved relatives.
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Strong leadership qualities.
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Keeps abreast of Charity and financial developments.
Desirable
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Knowledge of Harlequin financial system.
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Knowledge of current IFRS issues.
Skills and Abilities
Essential
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Highly developed communication skills with the ability to communicate complex financial data to non-finance managers.
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Analytical skills to solve complex financial problems.
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Confident user of software applications inc but not exclusively (i.e. Microsoft Office, with accurate output.
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Able to form judgements and make autonomous decisions guided by policies and procedures.
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Able to understand and interpret national financial and Charitable policies and advising the Charity on implementation.
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Experience of planning to formulate the delivery of financial services at both operational and strategic levels.
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To be able to deal with a multiplicity of targets and objectives and to make judgements regarding allocation of finances as well as judgements on financial decisions and risks.
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Ability to deal with occasional exposure to distressing or emotional circumstances such as discussing legacies and donations with bereaved relatives.
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Strong leadership qualities.
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Keeps abreast of Charity and financial developments.
Desirable
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Knowledge of Harlequin financial system.
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Knowledge of current IFRS issues.
Personal Qualities
Essential
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Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing.
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Ability to manage staff as well as good organisational and planning skills.
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Motivates others.
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Should be able to concentrate for prolonged periods on complex projects.
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Acts with integrity and professionalism.
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Team player.
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A positive “can do” attitude and a positive attitude to change.
Other Requirements
Essential
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Reliable work record.
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Office conditions.
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