Introduction

The Share Foundation (TSF) administers the Junior ISA (JISA) and Child Trust Fund (CTF) schemes for children and young people in care (known as 'Looked After') on behalf of the Department for Education (DfE). We believe strongly that all young people in care have great potential, not only to enjoy adult life to the full, but also to achieve their hopes and dreams; and we are determined to help them do just that through the provision of financial education and resources and by encouraging a positive attitude for the future.

TSF is committed to helping improve the opportunities of these disadvantaged young people by encouraging governments, individuals and corporations to contribute funding for them in the form of long-term investments, which the young people can access when they reach maturity. TSF work very closely with over 200 Local Authorities and Health Care Trusts nationwide to ensure the efficient management and administration of the savings accounts for Looked After Children.

The charity seeks “to reduce the generational cycle of deprivation affecting the poorest children and young people by encouraging highly targeted wealth distribution”. Since early 2020, we have been supporting all young people nationwide (not just those in care), aged 16 and over, to start the process of locating their ‘lost’ CTF account, working with HMRC, the Tracing Group and CTF account providers to achieve this. In addition, we are striving to ensure all young people have the opportunity of financial education to equip them with necessary life skills which will help them through adulthood.

TSF currently offers a hybrid approach to working, with staff able to split their time between home and office-based working as their role requires and operational requirements permit. The working pattern will be agreed with the successful candidate.

Summary of the Role

The expansion of the Charity over the last few years, together with staff structural changes, has identified the requirement for a full-time permanent Finance Manager and this role will be significant in proactively managing all financial aspects of The Share Foundation.

The Charity’s turnover is in excess of £7m per year, which includes the payments from the DfE for new JISA accounts, donations for young people’s JISA/CTF accounts and donations received from philanthropists, grants and Corporates for funding the financial educational programme and the Child Trust Fund recovery campaign.

The role will involve the preparation and management of the day-to-day financial activities, payroll and the monthly, quarterly and annual reconciliations and reporting. The job holder will work closely with the Chairman, Director of Operations and the Operations Manager within the charity. There will be a requirement to work closely with the external auditors, the Finance and Investment Committee of the Trustees, Local Authority finance staff, banks and account providers on a regular basis. In addition, the Finance Manager will be responsible for managing the Donations Team (currently two staff members) and for receiving financial reports from the Stepladder Programme Manager and the Major Donor Manager.

This post is subject to a basic DBS check.

More specifically this role will entail:

Preparation, maintenance and management of all Financial Records and Reporting

The postholder will:

• Have responsibility for the accounting procedures, ensuring all policies and procedures are adhered to.
• Ensure all day-to-day accounting tasks are undertaken in an accurate and timely manner, to include:

Checking, coding and inputting supplier invoices and credit notes, ensuring correct account codes and assignment to ‘Restricted’ or ‘Unrestricted’. Obtaining authorisation of all invoices by the Chairman and uploading on Xero. Checking, coding and inputting of staff expenses and company credit card expenses, with correct account code and assignment. Preparation of online and cheque payments in line with the Charity’s finance processes. Reconciliation of bank accounts in line with statement frequency. Raising of sales invoices - predominantly the quarterly DfE Contract invoices for JISA and CTF in line with requirements set by the DfE.

• Prepare the annual budget and forecasts for approval by the Director of Operations and the Trustees.
• Compile monthly, quarterly and annual accounts and reporting, to include:
  • Responsibility for the preparation, reconciliation and reporting for monthly, quarterly and annual financial accounts.
  • This will include the quarterly financial reports for the Trustees, and progress reports for the DfE and devolved nation governments.
  • Co-ordination of Annual Report and Accounts, working with the Auditors, Operations Manager, Director of Operations, Chairman and Trustees.
  • Be responsible for preparation and participation with external audits, to include:
  • To be the first contact for the Auditors in relation to the financial aspects of the Charity.
  • Preparation and participation with the quarterly JISA account Audit in line with DfE requirements.
  • Preparation and co-ordination of the annual statutory accounts and liaison with the auditors throughout the annual audit process.
  • Maintain liaison with The Share Foundation banks and resolving any queries and issues that may arise
• Be responsible for the preparation and management of all aspects of Payroll, to include:
  • Process monthly payroll - obtaining relevant authorisation.
  • Produce and process payroll journals. Tax, NI and pension submissions.
• Prepare and submit VAT, PAYE and relevant reports to HMRC on a timely basis, to ensure the Charity adheres to statutory requirements.
• Manage the Donations Team, to include:
  • Overseeing the administration and reconciliation of the contributions.
  • Working with the Donation Team to develop new processes to improve efficiency.
  • Proactively seeking ways of encouraging the growth of contributions to individual and multiple savings accounts for Looked After children, ensuring DfE KPIs are achieved.
  • Responsible for the Paperless Direct Debit (PDD) scheme for Donations and supporting and overseeing the scheme.
  • Supporting the work of the staff under direct management through regular constructive feedback and the TSF annual review process.
• Ensure compliance with data protection rules and procedures.
• Undertake other reasonable duties as directed by the Director of Operations and Trustees.

This job description is not exhaustive, and the job holder will be expected to carry out any other reasonable duties as directed by their line manager.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Preferably qualified/part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA) or qualified by experience.
• Previous experience of Xero or similar accounting package.
• Demonstrable finance management skills and experience of running effective administrative and financial systems. High level of proficiency with Microsoft Office - especially Excel.
• Experience of providing ad hoc financial analysis to support decision making.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• An understanding of data security issues from a user perspective.
• Ability to maintain discretion and confidentiality.
• Experience of managing people would be desirable.
• Good understanding of paperless direct debit system would be beneficial.

Personal Qualities

• Highly organised, logical and efficient, with strong attention to detail.
• Self-motived with a flexible approach to work.
• Enjoys working as part of a team.
• Enjoys working under pressure and willing to take personal accountability for delivery of goals.
• Good management and leadership skills.
• Diplomatic and discreet.
• Committed to the aims of The Share Foundation and the wider voluntary sector.

Salary

The salary is £38,000 - £40,000 per annum based on experience for 35 hours per working week and is subject to annual review.

Benefits

The holiday entitlement is 20 days plus 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, in addition to those Public and Bank Holidays as determined by statute or other government order.

After 3 years of service, your holiday entitlement will increase to 22 days plus 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, in addition to those Public and Bank Holidays as determined by statute or other government order; and after six years of service, your holiday entitlement will increase to 24 days plus 3 days to be taken between Christmas and New Year, in addition to those Public and Bank Holidays as determined by statute or other government order;

The Share Foundation will contribute 7% of salary to the company scheme administered by NEST (National Employment Savings Trust), with 1% of salary being contributed by the post holder. In addition, The Share Foundation will match any additional voluntary contributions made to the NEST scheme to a maximum of a further 1% of salary. If you choose to opt out of the NEST scheme, contributions may be paid to an alternative suitable pension plan.

Interested candidates should submit their CV, accompanied by a supporting personal statement, explaining why they are interested in the role and believe they are suitable. The statement is of equal importance to us as your CV and is a key part of our shortlisting process. It is an opportunity for you to outline your experience and credentials against the details of the post.

To apply, please send your CV and supporting statement to Anthony Walker, Director of Operations at The Share Foundation - via the button below. All applications will be acknowledged.

The Share Foundation

May 2023