Finance Manager

(Business Planning and Treasury)

Why this role exists?

This role will provide dedicated financial support to deliver a comprehensive business planning and treasury accounting service for the Group by developing, reviewing and advising on our Treasury Strategy and Policy.

This role will also support ensuring compliance with our key regulatory requirements across the Group.

The Salary

£60,000 – £65,000

How this role will deliver success

Business Planning

This role has responsibility for developing and preparing a 30-year long-term business plan for Calico Homes and the wider Group and reviewing this on a quarterly and annual basis.  The role will also support the preparation of the annual Business Plan update to the Board inclusive of analysis of a range of key financial metrics.  The business plan enables the Group to ensure appropriate resources are in place to achieve delivery of our strategic objectives. 

The role holder will have a strong understanding of the Regulator of Social Housing Economic Standards and will ensure compliance with regulator reporting. 

The Finance Manager will develop and form strong relationships across the Group with a key focus on asset management, development and operational teams ensuring a strong understanding of the strategies and support the business plan key assumptions whilst considering any business risks.  This will include development of the BRIXX business planning software as an effective management tool to support decision making.  There will also be a quarterly review of the business plan and any relevant reports provided by the Finance Manager.

This role will provide appropriate solutions that positively contribute to business planning performance and will assist in preparation of any regulatory returns.

Stress Testing

This role will be the lead for developing our approach to stress testing our business plan, this will include considering the key risks we face and using this to prepare a range of stress test scenarios, considering their impact and providing the appropriate analysis to support effective decision making.  The Finance Manager will work with leaders across the Group to prepare a response and mitigation plan in the event of a stress event materialising. 

This is a key activity in supporting effective risk management ensuring long term viability and protecting our housing assets.  This also supports compliance with the required Regulatory Standards and requirements of our Board and Funders.

Treasury Management

This role will be responsible for developing and managing the Calico Groups Treasury Strategy and will liaise with our treasury advisors for any specialist advice and support. The approach to our Treasury Strategy ensures that the business plan is adequately funded, and this is reviewed and approved by the Board on an annual basis.  The Finance Manager will also be responsible for reviewing and updating the Treasury Policy as well as ensuring ongoing adherence with the policy which is confirmed to our Board on a quarterly basis.

The Finance Manager will be responsible for preparing the Group’s cash flows, reports to funders and security trustees and managing the day-to-day banking arrangements which include the management of the banking processes and bank reconciliations.  This supports the role holder in preparing our funder compliance submissions and compliance with the key funders covenants in line with our loan agreements and reporting requirements.  

Finance Team

This role will support leading, motivating and developing the relevant area of the Corporate Finance Team and building strong relationships within the Corporate and Operational Finance team, Group Business Service teams, and external stakeholders such as funders, auditors and treasury and business planning support consultants.

The role will support the Finance Manager (Financial & Rents) in supporting the preparation and requirements of the Groups statutory accounts and working with the external auditors to deliver an efficient and effective external audit.  This work will support delivery of the auditors management letter and approval of the annual statutory accounts by the Group and Operational Boards.

Activities you will carry out within this role

Reviewing the 30 year business plans against actual performance.  Preparing our approach to stress testing and working with the business to develop and review appropriate mitigations. Working with the Finance Manager to review the cashflow and forecasted cash requirements for Group supported by effective intercompany controls.   Providing analysis of financial information to support regulatory returns and writing a Board report.  

What you need to be successful in this role

Knowledge

 

  • Understanding of relevant IT systems – Open Accounts, Active H
  • Good knowledge of the challenges facing the charities and housing sector inclusive of the regulatory frameworks the Group works within
  • Understanding of treasury management processes, credit control, VAT, and other taxes
  • Good knowledge of statutory accounts for Charities, Groups and Limited Companies
  • Knowledge of Social Housing Regulation

 

Skills

  • Leadership and team management
  • Ability to organise and prioritise work to meet conflicting deadlines and delegate effectively
  • An ability to analyse and explain complex financial information in a clear way at all levels both in report format, presentations and verbally
  • Ability to contribute to the development of strategy and business plans
  • The ability to use IT in a financial environment Word, PowerPoint and the ability to use and develop Excel spreadsheets
  • Ability to effectively lead, develop and motivate teams
  • Good communication and presentation skills


Qualifications

  • Professional Accountancy Qualification and evidence of Continued Professional Development


Experience

  • Experience of financial planning – ability to model and stress test various scenarios
  • Substantial accountancy & project management experience within a similar environment
  • Experience of statutory accounts and financial accounts and cash flow and credit control/debt management
  • Team management and motivation to deliver high levels of staff engagement

To be successful in all Calico Group roles, candidates will need to demonstrate that their values and behaviours align with ours. This will be assessed throughout the recruitment process.