The Diocese of Board of Finance Limited Finance Officer (Corporate & Deanery) Job Specification

DEPARTMENT: Finance

LOCATION: Derby Church House, Full Street, Derby, DE1 3DR

ACCOUNTABLE TO: The Head of Finance

SALARY: £27,270 per annum

CONTEXT:

Derby Diocese:

▪ The operates through 43 dioceses, or administrative regions, each under the care of its own Diocesan . The Diocese of Derby consists of the County of except for a small area of Staffordshire. The Church offers its ministry to all members of the community, in this case covering a population of around one million. Within the Diocese there are 250 parishes and 330 church buildings served by approximately 150 paid clergy. There are also 110 church schools within the Diocese. ▪ The central functions of the Diocese are administered from Derby Church House. Diocesan finances are the responsibility of the Diocesan Board of Finance (DBF), which is a Charitable Limited Company, reporting to the elected Diocesan Synod which has ultimate responsibility for policy. The DBF is the employer of lay staff and, through the Diocesan Budget of £9.0 million, the body responsible for both the payment and housing of parish clergy and the work of the various Boards and Councils (statutory or advisory bodies) working under the diocesan umbrella.

The Christian vision, ethos and principles of the Diocese underpin all aspects of the way the DBF operates.

PURPOSE:

The finance team are responsible for the effective management of diocesan financial resources to enable the vision, mission and delivery of Derby Diocese. The Finance Officer will maintain the accounting records and management information for the Parishes and Church House; this will be achieved by: a) Administration of diocesan finance systems for the DBF b) Support the preparation of the diocesan budget, including assisting diocesan directors, heads of departments and boards in the preparation of their budget submissions c) Monitor budgetary control through the diocesan accounting system and the provision of management information, ad-hoc analysis and reports to budget holders and diocesan boards and councils as appropriate d) Providing financial management and accounting services e) Support the planning and control of all investments including property and glebe f) Compliance with all statutory and other financial reporting requirements g) Any other tasks as directed by the Head of Finance and Diocesan Secretary

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

▪ Maintenance of the purchase ledger, coding and input of invoices and expenses, preparing payment runs and ensuring that these are completed timely ▪ Maintenance and reconciliation of customer records and credit control ▪ Maintenance and reconciliation of general ledger records to Trial Balance including nominal ledger journals ▪ Administration of banking processes including preparation of BACS and cheque payments and reconciliation of DBF bank accounts ▪ Administration of ministers’ stipends system and payroll for DBF and DBE (Derby Board of Education) employees ▪ Administration of money purchase (defined contribution) pension schemes to which DBF employees contribute ▪ Assist with the timely production of: ▪ budgets and 1-3 year financial plans ▪ projections and forecasts of revenue (income and expenditure) and capital ▪ financial information for Board meetings as appropriate ▪ Assist with the calculation of Common Fund income and the allocation of contributions from parishes and /or deaneries ▪ Assist with the preparation of management information to monitor and report actual income and expenditure against budget and forecasts on a regular basis ▪ Assist with analysis and preparation of information for the year-end Statutory Accounts ▪ Provide assistance on routine financial matters to Parochial Church Councils (PCCs) (especially PCC treasurers) and deaneries

▪ Attend meetings as appropriate and deputise for the Head of Finance during their absence ▪ Ensure that financial controls in relation to the accounting systems and procedures for DBF are fully met ▪ Ensure that procedures and methods to mitigate adverse financial effects of risks to the assets and liabilities of DBF are adhered to ▪ Assist with training sessions with parish officers where appropriate ▪ Good working relationship with Diocesan colleagues and Parish Officers to raise awareness of the financial strategy and diocesan budgets in working with parishes

PARISH ACCOUNTABILITIES

▪ Support parishes in the stewardship of resources and the development of alternative funding streams ▪ All aspects of the financial status of parishes/benefices to assist Senior Staff in the process of ‘Parish Review’ and for assessment of availability to meet Common Fund commitments ▪ An assessment of the resource requirements for parishes to make them fit for mission ▪ Advising on alternative income streams, including funding campaigns, legacies, fundraising, friend’s schemes, grants and investment opportunities ▪ Provide regular updates and advice for parishes, especially treasurers, on stewardship and financial management matters (budgets, capital/revenue and cash flow management) ▪ To help PCC’s understand how fees should be collected, recorded and reported to the DBF ▪ To promote the development of legacy income for parishes and the Diocese ▪ Help to build a team of people in the deaneries to support parishes in finance and funding. ▪ Ensure those churches who are currently ‘excepted’ from charity registration are prepared and registered with the Charity Commission ▪ To work with the Parish Resource Officers and members of the Finance Team by monitoring contributions to the Diocesan Common Fund with a view to supporting parishes in meeting their pledges ▪ To support PCC Treasurers on an ad hoc basis with the preparation and submission of the annual Return of Parish Finance and review returns which have been submitted, highlighting any anomalies to the PCC Treasurer and Diocesan Finance Team as appropriate – this will include encouraging parishes in the use of published Diocesan procedures

OTHER:

▪ Keep up to date with developments in finance best practice and to support the development of policy and service improvements ▪ Take a proactive approach to continuous professional and personal development ▪ Work in close conjunction with other diocesan officers to ensure adequate cover is provided in the diocesan administration at all times ▪ Carry out such other duties as may be required by the Head of Finance or the Diocesan Secretary either on a regular or occasional basis to secure the smooth operation of the diocesan administration as a whole ▪ Participate in performance management processes ▪ Comply and fully cooperate with the diocesan Health and Safety policy

KEY CONTACTS

Internal External Diocesan Secretary Deanery Teams and Parish Treasurers Head of Finance Diocesan Clergy The Chair and Treasurer of DBF Professional Advisers Diocesan Officers and staff Church Commissioners and Archbishops’ Council Boards and Councils and their members HM Revenue and Customs DBE and Cathedral

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE The knowledge, skills and experience required will include:

Education and Financial Experience ▪ Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT) or equivalent, or in the early stages of studying with a chartered accountancy body ▪ Experience of payroll management, accounting routines, budgeting and reporting in a variety of organisations ▪ A working knowledge and experience of managing financial assets

Legal knowledge ▪ A good working knowledge of the Companies and Charities Acts, particularly as they relate to reporting requirements in charity statutory accounts ▪ Knowledge of charity law, and of trustees financial and other responsibilities, and of Charity Accounting requirements, particularly the Statement of Recommended Practice ▪ Some understanding of U.K. taxation framework, including Income Tax, Gift Aid, and VAT

Personal attributes and skills ▪ Able to work under pressure with a flexible attitude, ▪ A demonstrable team player with a collaborative and open working style ▪ An agent for change ▪ Able to work on own initiative with minimal support ▪ Able to relate well at all levels, an excellent communicator of complex financial issues in a form that is accessible to all, both in writing and orally ▪ Ability to build and maintain collaborative working relationships ▪ Discreet and confidential

Other ▪ Excellent IT skills using Microsoft Office applications ▪ Advanced working knowledge of current financial IT systems ▪ Full driving licence and access to own vehicle, appropriate work visas (for non EU subjects/ citizens)

DESIRABLE

▪ Knowledge of Church Accounting Regulations and of charity accounting practice ▪ Knowledge of and preferably experience of church organisations (e.g. PCCs) ▪ Knowledge of Church of England administrative structures and operations

TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Salary £27,270 per annum

Pension Based on Auto Enrollment qualifying criteria employer contributions equivalent to 10% of the gross salary into an approved personal pension plan, paid monthly. If the Church workers pension fund is selected 9.5 % of the gross salary will be paid into the pension fund and .50% will be paid to life insurance.

Hours of work Full time 35 hours per week, working 9 am to 5pm with a 1-hour unpaid lunch.

Holidays 25 days paid leave plus statutory public holidays and any such additional days as agreed by the Company (currently 5 days).

Probation Six months, during which time progress is regularly reviewed. The period may be period extended.

Evening and From time to time there will be the requirement to attend meetings during the Weekend evenings and at weekends. Time off in lieu will be given for any hours worked. working

NOTE:

The Diocese of Derby intends to review job descriptions annually as part of the staff review process, to ensure that they relate to the role as then being performed or to incorporate whatever reasonable changes that have occurred over time or are being proposed. This review will be carried out by the line manager in consultation with the post-holder before any changes are implemented. The post-holder is expected to participate fully in such discussions and implementation.

Signed by the Employee: ...... Date: …………………..

Signed by the Manager: ………………………………………………… Date: ………………….

August 2018