Volunteer Financial Controller at Scottish Railway Preservation Society

Purpose

Reporting to the Finance Director and working with the members of the Board, department heads, project managers, and the F&A Committee, the Financial Controller is responsible for providing timely and pertinent management information together with relevant advice and support on all financial aspects of the Charity and its trading subsidiaries.  He or she will also be responsible for producing to a tight schedule, the Annual Report and Accounts to comply with all relevant accounting, charity and tax regulations and liaising with Auditors as required.

The Financial Controller will contribute to the development of company forward planning by providing the appropriate information to help the preparation of appropriate business plans, budgets and cash forecasts encompassing all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and providing pertinent financial analysis and guidance as required.

The Financial Controller will have experience of finance and a good knowledge of charity regulation requirements, and will also be commercially aware.  He or she will require strong communication skills with all levels of staff.

The role of the Financial Controller is crucial in providing the information that the Board and departments require for effective decision-making, as well as dealing with the year-end reporting.

Principal Duties

• Prepare the Annual Report and Accounts including the Trustees’ Annual Report combining the performance of the charity and trading companies and liaise with external auditors in enabling them to complete their report.
• Liaise with the external auditors in respect of statutory returns
• Produce quarterly accounts
• Carry out analysis and provide information
• Provide information for Finance Director as requested
• Monitor and enhance the processes and procedures of the Society to ensure there is proper management of transactions and that the relevant processes and procedures are being followed
• Develop and provide periodic management reports and related performance information and provide this with appropriate guidance to staff and volunteers and the Board to enable budgeting, forecasting, business plans and strategic planning
• Understand the complexities of VAT as it impacts the business and provide relevant advice and guidance
• Liaise with the F&A Committee to review, revise, maintain and enhance a set of policies, processes, procedures, controls etc that form the Financial Management System
• Ensure major projects include the appropriate level of financial reporting.
• Other duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.

Skills and Qualifications

• High level of integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance.
• Good numeracy and IT skills.
• Attention to detail.
• An understanding of data privacy regulations
• Skills in problem solving, research, analysis, critical thinking and multi-tasking.

A qualification in accounting, business or finance would be desirable but not essential.  Several years’ experience in charity finance or a commercial role is highly desirable. 

Time Commitment

This is a volunteer role. It is envisaged the Financial Controller will be present in the Finance department on average 1 to 2 days a week, although there may be an occasional requirement to be available at other times, for example during the year-end audit and if asked to attend Exec meetings.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and a cover letter to Geoff Garner on [email protected].

The closing date is Wednesday 31 March 2021.