Group Head of Financial Compliance

We are currently looking to hire aGroup Head of Financial Compliance & Taxto join Torus This role is based in Liverpool with travel to other sites in the North West required.

Reporting to the Group Finance Director, the Group Head of Financial Compliance & Tax will deliver a range of corporate group wide financial accounting services including production of group and subsidiary statutory accounts, asset accounting, taxation and regulatory returns. Managing a team of 3 Direct Reports (25 staff in total), you will lead on development of financial systems ensuring they deliver efficient services and provide appropriate information and intelligence to support financial management and control. You will deliver a range of efficient and productive transactional services for the Group, Landlord and all subsidiaries including accounts payable, receivable, rent accounting and banking.

Responsibilities:

Financial Accounting:

• Lead on the preparation of statutory accounts for the group (Turnover £200m), undertaking consolidation of all group entities and liaison with external auditors.
• Lead on the preparation of statutory accounts for commercial and charitable subsidiaries: Housing Maintenance Solutions (£75m turnover), Torus Developments (£150m turnover) and Torus Foundation (£7m turnover), and any other subsidiaries that may join the group.
• Implement effective finance controls including core account and balance sheet reconciliations that provide Boards, Audit and Risk Committee members and senior managers with assurance on accuracy and integrity of accounts and financial statements.
• Ensure assets and components are accounted for accurately and in accordance with accounting standards
• Lead on completion of the Financial Viability Assessment (FVA) and Quarterly Financial Return (QFR) to the Regulator of Social Housing and responding to any questions or issues that arise.
• Lead on the development of Financial ICT systems to ensure they meet the requirements of the group
• Lead on the development of external financial reporting for investors and stakeholders, in particular, meeting requirements as an issuer of a publicly quoted bond
• Prepare and present financial account reports to Group and subsidiary Boards, Committees and management teams in a confident and professional manner, providing suitable advice and support to Boards and committees
• Lead on the development of effective working relationships with external stakeholders in relation to financial accounting (auditors, pension providers, regulators, advisors etc) preparing and presenting information where required

Taxation, Rent and Service Charges

• Lead on the development of a group tax strategy and ensure that the group complies with its taxation obligations and processes are in place for the accounting, calculation and submission of tax returns in respect of VAT, CIS and Corporation Tax.
• Ensure rent income is accounted for accurately and to lead on the annual rent setting process, ensuring rents are set in accordance with legislation, regulatory requirements and group policy.
• Ensure service charges are accounted for accurately in line with legislation, regulatory requirements and tenancy/lease agreements, implementing processes for the accurate and timely assessment of service charges
• Work with Housing Management on the development of appropriate rent and service charge policies and strategies
• Lead on the development of effective working relationships with HMRC, liaising with, preparing and presenting information where required

Transactional Services

• Lead on the development of efficient group wide accounts payable and receivable processes ensuring effective controls are in place minimising any financial risk
• Lead on recovery of outstanding non tenant debt
• Ensure appropriate insurance cover is in place across the group and claims processes are managed in an efficient and effective manner.
• Lead on the development of efficient and accurate rent accounting processes
• Develop and implement processes for day to day cash management and bank reconciliation
• Ensure appropriate banking arrangements are in place across the group

Health and Safety

• Ensure that H&S policy and procedures are adhered to and embedded to deliver effective and safe services and operations.

Equality and Diversity

• Apply and embed fairness and equality in both the delivery and offer of all services, to ensure that all staff and customers are treated fairly, to meet an individuals personal circumstances.

Safeguarding

• To promote safety and protection of vulnerable adults and children by ensuring that all safeguarding issues and concerns are reported promptly in accordance with Local Authority and Torus Safeguarding Policies.

Skills & Requirements:

• CCAB Professional Qualification
• Evidence of and commitment to continual professional, leadership and personal development
• Strong track record of success in a senior financial management role.
• Demonstrable governance and financial compliance management experience to ensure robust and compliant operations.
• Evidence of a balanced approach to risk management within reward activity, taking account of business need and risk and providing balanced advice and direction based on sound judgement.
• Extensive experience and understanding of requirements for the production of statutory accounts including financial reporting standards and relevant SORPs
• Experience in the delivery of core financial accounting and control functions to ensure integrity and accuracy of accounts and financial records
• Highly developed understanding of Taxation requirements in terms of VAT, CIS and Corporation Tax and the development of a tax strategy for a complex group delivering commercial and charitable services
• Experience in the delivery of and improvement of finance transactional services ensuring that they are efficient, provide VFM and support the integrity and accuracy of accounts and financial records
• Highly developed understanding of finance system requirements and experience in the implementation and development of Finance ICT systems
• Sound experience of working with operational managers to improve financial management, VFM and control of financial risk.
• Experience of working collaboratively building successful working relationships with all key stakeholders and providing strategic business assurance advice to executives and non-executives.

What we offer:

Join our team and enjoy a wealth of benefits designed to enhance your work-life balance and well-being. Here's what we offer:

• Generous Annual Leave: Start with 25 days plus bank holidays, increasing to 30 days after five years of dedicated service.
• Family Support: Enjoy enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay, ensuring you can focus on what matters most during significant life events.
• Financial Flexibility: Take advantage of our holiday purchase scheme, Aviva pension plan, and Salary Finance for affordable loans. With Wagestream, access a portion of your pay instantly.
• Travel and Transport: Explore our lease car scheme and employee discounts on various products, including bikes and holidays.
• Continuous Learning: Access a range of learning opportunities, including e-learning workshops and support for professional qualifications.
• Recognition and Well-being: Participate in our reward and recognition schemes, volunteer in your community, and benefit from enhanced sick pay and discounted gym memberships.
• Flexible Working: We champion flexible and agile working, supporting your individual needs and preferences.
• Comfortable Workspaces: Enjoy well-designed offices with excellent public transport links, alongside access to employee assistance programs and occupational health support.
• Health and Wellness: For eligible employees, we offer BUPA health expenses coverage, ensuring your health needs are taken care of.

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