Finance Manager

Finance Manager Role Profile

Overview

The Finance Manager (FM) serves as a pivotal leader within the Finance Department at the Rothschild Foundation, a charitable Foundation with £800m of Net assets, based primarily at Waddesdon directly reporting to the Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

The FM and the Finance Department provide comprehensive financial services to several entities, including;

• The Rothschild Foundation (RF - Central Administration and Sustainability, including grants (currently approx. £10m per annum) and Investments (currently £700m)
• Rothschild Foundation Waddesdon (RFW – accounting for the Income and expenditure of Waddesdon Manor)
• Rothschild Foundation Property (RFP – Accounting for Rental Income from 70 properties, Repairs and Maintenance and Improvements to Property)
• The trading company Rothschild Waddesdon Ltd (RWL - Catering, Events, Retail, Hospitality (Wedding and corporate Events plus the Five Arrows Hotel)

Additionally, the FM will have limited involvement (as the accounting function is provided by another company) with two companies related to the Golden Mede property development: the Golden Mede Management Company (GMMC) and the Golden Mede Development Company (GMDC).

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management

• Support the CFO in overseeing all financial functions across the aforementioned entities.
• Provide proactive management accounting information and support strategic decision-making processes and risk management.
• Advise the Executive Board on potential risks and opportunities.

Management Information (MI)

• Produce timely month-end management accounts and review with stakeholders.
• Support the CFO in managing month-end and year-end processes.
• Assist in forecasting and budget preparation.
• Reconcile ledger accounts, ensuring the maintenance of a complete and accurate general ledger, including intercompany reconciliations and transfer pricing analyses.
• Post and review month-end journals, accruals, and prepayments.
• Conduct variance analysis and review balance sheet reconciliations.
• Collaborate with the Data Analyst to ensure accuracy in daily, weekly, monthly, and year-to-date analysis, and provide recommendations for PowerBI reporting improvements.

Internal Controls

• Oversee month-end ledger reconciliations.
• Continuously review internal controls to mitigate financial risks and ensure adequate controls are in place.
• Maintain documentation of internal controls, ensuring they minimize the risk of error, fraud, and unauthorized expenditure.

Planning and Budgeting

• Prepare budget templates for all entities/departments each summer and work with Heads of Department.
• Provide support for budgeting, stocktaking, and other areas of financial administration.
• Assist in preparing three-year financial plans and any other required financial or business plans.

Statutory Reporting, Audit, and Tax

• Assist in the preparation of statutory year-end accounts and notes to accounts for all entities for audit purposes.
• Liaise with auditors and assist in preparing tax computation workings and reviewing tax returns completed by auditors.
• Ensure signed accounts are filed with Companies House.
• Complete and review all statistical returns, including VAT for all entities and Gift Aid return for Gift Aid on Entry (GAO).
• Stay updated on changes in financial regulations and legislation.
• Establish and maintain company financial policies and procedures.

Department Management

• Line manage two management accountants, including absence and annual leave management, ensuring staff availability supports workload and deadlines.
• Chair regular department meetings and 1:1s take place, promoting clarity and information sharing.
• Encourage and oversee the professional development of all department staff members.
• Promote teamwork and collaborative action while emphasizing individual responsibility and accountability.
• Contribute to broader thinking on Finance Department development and workload planning with the CFO

Relationship Management

• Support the CFO in managing risks and issues for the Finance Department, tracking and reporting on deliverables, and advising on corrective measures.
• Act as a finance representative for upcoming projects.
• Liaise with auditors and third-party contractors as required.
• Build successful relationships with Department Heads, senior management, and the Executive Board, supporting and challenging budget holders appropriately.
• Provide regular updates to the CFO for Trustees, Executive Board, and Heads of Department briefings.
• Ensure the Finance Department delivers excellent customer service (internal and external) and administration.

Insurance

• Assist with maintaining inventories, records, and equipment lists for insurance purposes and liaise with the insurance provider, including involvement in the re-tendering process.

Systems

• Review financially integrated systems and develop efficiencies where possible, contributing to new system procurement.

Procurement

• Collaborate with the CFO to construct and champion future procurement and delivery strategies across the business, aligning with the sustainability team's objectives.

Skills & Experience

• Qualified member of an accounting body (CIMA, ACCA, ACA).
• Experience in financial and departmental management.
• Expertise in budget preparation, setting, monitoring, and financial forecasting.
• Proficiency in data analysis and complex spreadsheet management.
• Experience managing audits.
• Knowledge of charity accounting practices and audit requirements, including restricted and unrestricted funds and partial exemption VAT returns.
• Advanced Excel skills, including the creation and maintenance of Pivot tables, use of Excel tables, Index and Match, XLOOKUP, and familiarity with PowerPivot and PowerQuery. Knowledge of MSSQL and VBA is an advantage.
• A solutions-focused, 'can-do' approach with high accuracy, strong attention to detail, and excellent interpersonal skills.
• Experience in the charity/not-for-profit sector is preferred but not essential.

Terms & Conditions

Contract type: Permanent, full time (37.5 hours per week) Monday to Friday.

Salary: £60-65,000 per annum

Holiday:  From start date, 33 days (including public holiday). After three full years of service: 36 days (including public holidays). After five full years of service: 38 days (including public holidays). After ten full years of services: 40 days (including public holidays)             

Benefits:

• 50% Discount in Food 2 Go Catering, 20% in the Manor restaurant, Manor Shops and Five Arrows Hotel.
• Company Pension Scheme, matched contribution up to 10%
• Excellent wellbeing support and a focus on staff engagement
• National Trust Staff Card – provides access to NT properties in the UK.
• Beautiful location working within the charity and heritage sector.
• Free parking