Head of Finance - Ireland (1635)

The Donkey Sanctuary Ireland (TDSI) works as part of an international animal welfare organisation, offering care and protection to donkeys worldwide. Our vision is a world where every donkey has a good quality of life, and our mission is to improve the lives of donkeys every day. We will achieve this by transforming the lives of donkeys in need worldwide by fostering greater understanding, collaboration and support, and by promoting lasting, mutually life-enhancing relationships. 

These are exciting times for the Charity, and we now have an excellent opportunity for a proactive and flexible finance professional, with outstanding leadership, decision making and interpersonal skills to lead our busy Accounts team. As Head of Finance, you will provide effective financial management for TDSI, improving the impact and understanding of financial reporting on charity performance, delivering insight that links financial reports to business strategies and ensuring that strong relationships are maintained with all areas of the Charity’s operations, both in Ireland and the United Kingdom.

About you:

• Fully qualified active member of a recognised professional accounting institute, with extensive experience in a senior financial accounting role and a documented CPD track record throughout post qualification period.
• Demonstrable experience in financial management and reporting of a small to medium international organisation, including budgeting, forecasting and treasury management.
• Proven experience of working in and development of a computerised accounting system.
• Advanced knowledge of Microsoft applications, particularly Excel including demonstrable working knowledge of dealing with high volumes of complex data using macros and pivot tables.
• Significant people and team management experience, including undertaking performance reviews, coaching and personal development planning.
• Strong communication skills – able to effectively communicate at all levels both verbally and in writing.

About the role:

Your principal duties and responsibilities will include –

• All aspects of financial management and reporting of the Charity in Ireland, including management accounting, budgeting and forecasting.
• Presenting accurate and timely financial and management information to the Country Manager Ireland, Director of Finance in the UK, the UK Accounts team and the Ireland Board of Directors.
• Effectively communicating at all levels within the Charity providing practical solutions, advice and guidance on accounting, finance and taxation issues.
• The production of statutory accounts to comply with local legislation, liaising with the external auditors to ensure all end of year related information is provided within the scope of the audit timetable.
• Managing and providing advice on all aspects of taxation, including overseeing the preparation of tax returns as appropriate.
• Managing and controlling incoming resources to ensure donations, legacies, trading income are banked on a timely basis and that the Charity has proper control over the identification, recording and reconciliation of income.
• The continuous development of financial systems and controls throughout the Charity, assessing risks and implementing improvements as required.

What we offer:

This is a full-time, permanent contract working 39 hours per week, Monday-Friday.

The working pattern for this role will combine onsite and home working under our guiding principles for such roles, with onsite attendance currently anticipated to be 2 days per week.

Benefits:  

• Competitive pension.
• Life assurance.
• 30 days holiday (including Bank holidays), rising to 35 with each full year of service.
• Wellbeing team.
• Recorded Pilates classes.
• Long service awards.
• Healthshield plan – Reimbursement of some medical expenses up to the specified limits per membership, offers, discounts and cashback on shopping, travel and entertainment from participating outlets, access to a 24/7 GP and counselling service.
• Free parking.

Closing date for completed applications: Thursday 4^th April 2024.

Please note: We reserve the right to close the vacancy prior to this date, and therefore encourage early applications.

The Donkey Sanctuary is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable people (children and adults), and expects all staff and volunteers to undertake this commitment. Applicants will be subject to safer recruitment processes, including an application for a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check where required for the post.

Please note: The Guaranteed interview scheme is only applicable to candidates who consider themselves to have a disability applying for roles based within the United Kingdom.