Financial Controller

The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell to recruit to a Financial Controller role on a permanent, part-time (four days a week) basis. The Kennedy Trust for Rheumatology Research (The Trust) is a long-established and successful charity that provides sustainable, long-term funding of world-class medical research into rheumatic and related musculoskeletal, immunological, and inflammatory diseases and has been at the forefront of discovering groundbreaking treatments for millions of people worldwide.

Responsible to the CEO, this Financial Controller will be a critical position with ownership of the Trust’s finance function as well as generating detailed, accurate and timely reports for stakeholders to ascertain the Trust’s financial standing. The role has sole charge of finance under the oversight of the Finance and Investment Committee, and the candidate must be able to work independently.

This is a rare and exciting opportunity for a talented and experienced individual to help shape the future of the Trust, ensuring the provision of sustainable and ambitious funding of medical research.

The key responsibilities will be:

• Preparation of annual statutory accounts including the primary statements, accounting policies and all notes to the accounts in accordance with UK Charities SORP and FRS 102 and relevant company and charities legislation.
• Co-ordinating completion of the Trustees’ Annual Report including drafting of Financial, Investments and Governance sections with review and input by Trustees and the CEO.
• Work closely with the chair of the Finance and Investment Committee as well as its members.
• Year End Audit: manage the year end audit process including liaising with auditors, timetable and planning, meeting auditors’ requirements and requests, running the fieldwork, reporting to the Trustees and implementing audit findings.
• Ownership and management of the general ledger including accounts payable and cash book
• Act as a primary point of contact and liaise with multiple investment managers primarily via a fiduciary manager.
• Co-ordinating and ensuring delivery of quarterly investment manager reports to Finance and Investment Committee.
• Preparation and presentation of quarterly management accounts to Trustees and preparation of the annual budget and cashflow forecast.
• Long Term Cashflow: Modelling of the Trust’s grants spend profile over the life of committed and forecast awards.
• Act as Company Secretary and complete statutory filings with Charities Commission and Companies House.
• Preparation of relevant Committee and Board meeting papers.
• Accounting for investments in the general ledger and Annual Accounts in accordance with Charities SORP and FRS-102.

The organisation:

The Trust supports work on a range of inflammatory conditions, with a focus on rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases at its flagship institute the Kennedy Institute for Rheumatology in Oxford, supporting scientists and their teams and grant funding to underpin and pump-prime new initiatives. The Trust also provides funding each year outside of the Institute to other universities, as part of its ongoing commitment to support the careers of researchers in the ?eld.

The Trust’s income is primarily derived from a significant investment portfolio and as part of its strategic plans, The Trust is seeking to further extend its ?nancial support to other institutions and programmes in the ?eld of in?ammatory diseases.

The successful candidate will:

Essential requirements

• Hold a CCAB accounting qualification (ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA/ACA or equivalent).
• Have excellent time management skills and the ability to prioritise competing obligations to meet deadlines.
• Strong financial accounting skills including leading external audits.
• Proficiency in producing management accounts including budgeting and monthly reporting.
• Substantial experience of general ledger accounting systems particularly cloud based.
• An excellent communicator with the ability to work confidently with senior stakeholders.
• Have experience in working independently in a finance function in a self-sufficient manner
• Have an excellent communication style and ease with senior Trustees and other stakeholders
• Ability to work effectively as a member of a small team, showing adaptability, flexibility, problem- solving skills and desire to benefit the whole team.

Desirable requirements

• Have previous knowledge and experience of working with Investment Managers.
• Knowledge and experience of the charity sector including Charities SORP and FRS 102.
• A sound working knowledge of the Charity Commission guidelines and requirements.
• Knowledge of Sage 200 Standard.

This opportunity will be based at offices in Hammersmith and will offer extremely flexible working arrangements.

The closing date for applications is 4^th September with interviews taking place on the 15^th of September.  Applications will be under constant review before the closing date so please submit your application to our retained search agent Robertson Bell. Apply now to be considered!