Charity Finance Lead

Job Description

Department Finance

Function of Department

Within the Crown Agents group we have two registered charities. Crown Agents International Development (CAID) and Integrity Action (IA). CAID was founded in 2020 and is a key component of the Crown Agents group working to deliver transformational projects at the international, regional, local and community levels with a focus on driving sustainable results.

Integrity Action (IA), founded in 2003, joined the Crown Agents Group in 2023. IA is an innovative and award-winning charity devoted to citizen centred accountability. Working with partners, we equip citizens with the tools to assess vital development and humanitarian projects in their communities, report problems publicly, and work with those responsible to ensure the problems are fixed.

The Finance team at Crown Agents provide a complete accounting and financial management service to the full Crown Agents Group, including CAID and IA, thus enabling the Crown Agents to meet statutory requirements, exercise effective financial control over the Crown Agents business and deliver programmes in some of the most complex environments in the world.

Main Job Purpose

Reporting to the International Finance Business Partner, the Charity Finance Lead is responsible for the overseeing the finances of Crown Agents’ two UK registered charities, Crown Agents International Development (CAID) and Integrity Action (IA).

You will provide a complete financial and management accounting service to enable the CAID and IA to meet the external statutory financial and tax requirements as well as deliver their portfolio of growing programs, whilst adhering to Crown Agents internal accounting policies and procedures.

• Ensure comprehensive financial accounts are maintained for CAID & IA to comply with corporate governance, Charity Commission regulations and other regulatory bodies.
• Ensure all financial transactions by entering them into the accounting system.

• Prepare and review of budgets and forecasts, including the annual organisation budgets and monthly commentary for actual versus budget analysis
• Posting of required month end journals such as accruals and prepayments.

Project Accounting

• Work with project managers to develop their financial understanding and ownership of budgets, ensuring project expenditure incurred is in line with budget whilst adhering to all client and internal CA controls
• Support in the preparation and submission of client reports as and when required.

Treasury

• Forecast cash flow positions and ensure that sufficient funds are available to meet ongoing operational and project delivery requirements.
• Reconcile all bank accounts and petty cash monthly

• Ensure that local taxation requirements for the CAID & IA are adhered to including meeting HMRC deadlines (corporation tax and VAT etc).
• Ensure adherence to correct governance in respect of local company law.

• Liaise with company secretary to ensure prompt filing of company documents and statutory returns as and when due
• Provide support to the IA Board and committees – ensuring that the meeting cycle runs smoothly, servicing meetings and acting as a key point of contact and liaison between trustees, volunteer committee advisory members and the organisation.

Requirement

Qualification

• Minimum of a degree in Accounting, Finance or equivalent
• Full professional qualifications in accounting ACA, ACCA or similar

Experience

• Minimum 3 years’ professional experience in finance
• Proven knowledge of Charities SORP and charitable finance regulations
• Proven track record in financial accounts and management reporting, preferably within charitable sector
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously, set priorities and work independently
• Experience of working in an international organisation.
• Knowledge of local tax legislation required.
• Experience with Sun Accounting System (desirable not essential)

About the Organization

You’ll be working with Crown Agents which is a high impact social enterprise passionate about transforming the future for millions of people. Since our creation in 1833 we have worked across the globe to improve public services and drive economic growth. Our expertise is finding new solutions to difficult problems for clients in the areas of health, governance, economic growth, humanitarian action and supply chain services. We work with and train leaders at local, national and international level to achieve lasting change drawing on our insight and experience.

Crown Agents is committed to diversity and will promote diversity for all candidates at all times as well as a business culture that reflects that belief. Crown Agents will treat everyone equally irrespective of race, religion, colour, sex, age, national origin, disability or sexual orientation, and places an obligation upon all staff to respect and act in accordance with the policy. Crown Agents shall not discriminate unlawfully when deciding which candidates are selected for interview, or in any terms of employment, and will ensure that each candidate is assessed only in accordance with their merits, qualifications and abilities to perform the role. Crown Agents is committed to being an organisation enhanced by diversity and encourages applications from anyone who shares our values and commitment to improving the lives of communities affected by poverty or conflict.