Head of Finance & Company Secretary

As a member of the Senior Management Team, the Head of Finance provides strategic and operational leadership in all areas of financial management, ensuring transparency, compliance, and sustainability. The role also includes acting as Company Secretary, ensuring compliance with all charity and company regulations.

This is both a hands-on and strategic position. You will work with modern cloud-based systems that are already established, with opportunities to drive continuous improvement, support upcoming CRM integration projects, and ensure that financial processes are efficient, accurate, and future-ready. You will also lead and develop a capable finance team, fostering collaboration and continuous improvement.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Leadership and Strategy
• Lead and deliver the financial strategy for Lakeland Arts to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
• Support the CEO and Trustees in shaping financial planning and risk management.
• Prepare annual budgets, forecasts, and cash flow plans aligned with strategic priorities.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support organisational decision-making and business planning.
• Deputise for the CEO when required.
Financial Operations and Systems Optimisation
• Oversee and continuously improve financial processes and systems, optimising our Xero-based platform and integrated apps (ApprovalMax, Syft).
• Work with external contractors and internal teams to support integration projects between EPOS, CRM, and accounting systems, reducing manual processing and improving data accuracy.
• Proactively identify opportunities for further automation, system improvements, and app integrations that enhance control, reduce costs, or increase capacity.
• Ensure efficient month-end and year-end processes, including reconciliations, accruals, and reporting.
• Maintain oversight of ledgers, payroll, VAT (including partial exemption), and banking arrangements.
• Ensure compliance and accuracy in grant and restricted fund accounting.
Reporting and Analysis
• Produce monthly management accounts for the Senior Management Team and quarterly reports for the Finance Committee and Trustee Board meetings.
• Report on performance against budget, forecast, and prior year, including cash flow and balance sheet commentary.
• Provide clear and concise analysis and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Oversee preparation of detailed project and grant reports for funders and assist the development team with the financial aspects of fundraising bids.
Governance, Compliance, and Risk
• Act as Company Secretary for Lakeland Arts and its subsidiaries.
• Attend Finance Committee meetings and provide financial reports and advice to the Board.
• Manage the audit process, ensuring delivery of compliant and timely statutory accounts in line with Charity SORP and Companies Act requirements.
• Act as key point of contact for external auditors, HMRC, and other regulatory bodies.
• Work with senior colleagues to ensure appropriate financial controls, risk management, and business continuity plans are in place.
• Maintain awareness of developments in charity finance legislation and best practice.
Leadership and Team Development
• Line manage and develop the finance team (currently 0.6 FTE Senior Finance Assistant and 1.8 FTE Finance Assistants).
• Provide leadership, guidance, and professional development, building a collaborative and accountable team culture.
• Work closely with colleagues across departments to improve financial literacy and promote robust financial management across the organisation.
Person Specification
Essential
• Significant, proven experience in a senior finance role, including both strategic and hands-on delivery (qualified accountant ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent demonstrable experience).
• Experience working with modern cloud-based accounting systems (ideally Xero) and integrated financial apps.
• Proven ability to design and embed effective financial controls and processes.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and cash flow reports.
• Experience liaising with auditors and preparing consolidated statutory accounts under Charity SORP.
• Strong financial and analytical skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Ability to work strategically while remaining hands-on in delivery.
• Proactive problem-solver with a track record of delivering system and process improvements.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills; able to explain finance clearly to non-financial colleagues.
• Collaborative, supportive management style with the ability to motivate and develop staff.
• High level of integrity, professionalism, and resilience, with the ability to work under pressure and manage competing priorities.
• Commitment to the mission and values of Lakeland Arts.
Desirable
• Experience within the arts, heritage, or charitable sectors.
• Experience preparing consolidated management and statutory accounts.
• Experience with Xero, ApprovalMax, Syft, or similar modern finance tools.
• Familiarity with CRM and EPOS systems and integration projects.
• Experience in VAT for charities, including partial exemption.
• Experience managing through organisational change.
• Project management skills.
Person Specification
E

Museum Website: https://lakelandarts.org.uk/jobs