Finance Manager

About the role

WorldSkills UK is seeking a proactive and detail-oriented Finance Manager to support our Financial Controller within a small Finance and Procurement team. The ideal candidate will have a strong foundation in finance operations, high reliability, and the ability to manage multiple tasks with accuracy and efficiency. They should be able to operate independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues across the organisation, supporting them with financial insights and guidance. This role is an excellent opportunity for a skilled finance professional who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and is committed to supporting WorldSkills UK’s strategic and financial objectives.

Role purpose

This role supports the Financial Controller with the day-to-day operations of the Finance and Procurement team, ensuring that financial transaction postings are complete and accurate in preparation for the management accounts. It involves working closely with colleagues across the organisation, providing assistance with financial queries and promoting smooth, efficient financial operations.

Key tasks and responsibilities

1. Ensure the accurate, timely processing of financial transactions, helping to ensure efficient operations:

• Prepare and process invoices and Purchase Orders (POs), ensuring accuracy and timely handling.
• Prepare weekly payment runs and expense claim processing, helping to ensure consistent, smooth operations.
• Work on bank, creditor, and debtor reconciliations, assisting in resolving queries to maintain accurate records.

2. Ensure the monthly payroll preparation and processing ensuring accuracy and timely processing of any changes:

1. Prepare monthly payroll and pension contributions payments ensuring accuracy and adherence to timelines as instructed by HR.
2. Maintain electronic records for payroll, assisting with year-end documentation and ensuring compliance.

3. Lead on the provision of financial systems, ensuring data accuracy and accessibility:

• Manage Sage 2000 and Sicon/WAP updates and troubleshooting, providing assistance to other colleagues as needed.
• Maintain organised electronic filing systems to ensure accessible and reliably data for reporting and audits.

4. Leading the month-end and year-end closing processes, ensuring accurate and timely completion:

• Under the guidance of the Financial Controller, conduct monthly balance sheet reconciliations helping to identify and resolve any discrepancies.
• Support end-of-year preparation to ensure compliance with statutory reporting and thorough, accurate record-keeping.

5. Provide support to the Financial Controller in budgeting and forecasting:

• Assist the Financial Controller with budget preparation and forecasting, contributing to analysis that informs strategic decisions.
• Perform variance analysis, identifying deviations from budgets and aiding in explanations and corrective recommendations.

6. Prepare records and documentation for audits and grant claims, supporting compliance:

• Assist in gathering documentation for audits, ensure necessary information is organised and available.
• Support monthly grant claims by helping to ensure accurate documentation that aligns with funding requirements.

7. Ensure tax in particular VAT compliance tasks are completed accurately, meeting regulatory requirements:

• Ensuring the timely and accurate completion of VAT returns, in adherence to tax regulations.
• Support end-of-year tasks, such as generating P11d returns, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements.

General

In addition to the key tasks and responsibilities set out above, all employees at this level are expected to:

• Manage, support and motivate allocated staff to successfully deliver activities/tasks.
• Produce requirement specifications in line with WorldSkills UK’s procurement strategies for all outsourced activity.
• WorldSkills UK’s established management policies for dealing with risks and issues for the Finance and Procurement team and the wider organisation.
• Contribute to the successful delivery of WorldSkills UK’s strategic priorities and annual business objectives.
• Promote and comply with WorldSkills UK’s Employee Handbook and the policies contained therein with particular reference to those related to Health and Safety and on equity, diversity and inclusion.
• Carry out any other duty as may be reasonably assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and its level of responsibility. Any significant changes will be made in consultation with the post holder acknowledging experience, education and ability.

Person specification

Key: [E] Essential / [D] Desirable.

Qualifications and experience:

• AAT Qualified or ACCA/CIMA Part qualified [E].
• Experience of working with Sage 200 Professional, 50 Payroll and Sicon/WAP [D].
• Chairty finance experience is beneficial [D].

Knowledge and skills:

• Strong analytical abilities to break down financial data and issues into component parts, identifying root causes and making systematic, rational judgments based on relevant information [E].
• Proficient written communication skills, able to convey financial information clearly and concisely in reports, emails, and other documentation [E].
• Knowledge of partial exemption VAT regulations and processes [E].
• Proven experience in managing staff, including recruitment, setting objectives, and supporting staff development [E].
• Skilled at presenting complex financial information clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences [E].
• Able to build and maintain effective relationships, working respectfully and collaboratively with others [E].
• Intermediate to advanced proficiency in IT systems and packages, including Excel and databases [E].

Personal qualities and attributes:

• Highly reliable and trustworthy, demonstrating integrity and a high level of ethical standards [E].
• Self-motivated, able to work independently and proactively with general guidance [E].
• Creative thinker with strong problem-solving skills [E].
• Adaptable and open to new ideas, flexible in working methods [E].
• Able to remain calm, focused, and productive in a variety of work environments, including under pressure [E].
• Strong team player with a collaborative approach to work [E].
• Positive and encouraging, with the ability to support and motivate others [E].

Special circumstances:

• Prepared occasionally to work outside normal hours [E].
• Prepared to travel within the United Kingdom [D].
• Able to spend time away from home [D].

Please see attached Application Pack for further details on how to apply.

This role is office based (as above) but with flexible hybrid working. It is expected the postholder will attend the office at least once or twice a week.

Full time working hours are a minimum of 35 hours per week, normal working hours are 09:00 to 17:00 Monday to Friday although we pride ourselves on having a flexible approach to our working practices and service delivery and are happy to discuss flexible working options, including part time, with suitable candidates.

25 days’ annual leave [which will increase by one additional day for each completed year of service up to a maximum of 30 days] plus public and bank holidays.

Reasonable adjustments will be offered to all candidates and every stage of the recruitment process.