JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB TITLE:
Head of Finance
REPORTS TO:
Executive Director of Corporate Services
ACCOUNTABLE TO:
Executive Leadership Team
JOB SUMMARY
The Head of Finance is a member of the Senior Leadership Team, playing a key role in
delivering both the strategic plan and the day-to-day operations of the Hospice.
The post holder will be expected to demonstrate full commitment to the vision and values
of Willowbrook Hospice. The role will be crucial in ensuring we are able to ‘Deliver the best
care, delivered with compassion for our community’.
The Head of Finance’s key priorities, in close collaboration with the Executive Leadership
Team, are to lead and support the strategic and annual financial planning processes, and
to prepare and analyse accurate and timely financial information for the Board of Trustees
and the Directors of the Trading Company, ensuring compliance with all external financial
reporting requirements.
MAIN DUTIES
1. To provide an effective and accurate financial management and accountancy service
to the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and Directors of the Trading
Company.
2. Prepare annual budgets and monitor performance on a monthly basis against plan by
the preparation and issue of monthly budget statements. Make recommendations on
costing assumptions to be included within all budgets. For example, inflation rates.
3. Support the strategic direction of the business by leading on the preparation of 5 year
financial forecasts to support strategic planning and to ensure the long term financial
viability of the business.
4. Prepare and maintain financial accounts in a timely fashion and ensure they are
consistent with external financial reporting standards and requirements.
5. Provide monthly financial information to the Executive Leadership Team, Board of
Trustees and Directors of the Trading Company.
6. Prepare cash flow reports on a regular/quarterly basis and monitor cash requirements
and advise the Board of Trustees, Directors of the Trading Company and Executive
Leadership Team on the liquidity position of the business.
October 2025
7. Provide advice on all financial matters, including issues arising in connection with
charity legislation, to ensure that the business meets its legal financial obligations and
complies will all external regulatory requirements.
8. Liaise with H.M. Revenue and Customs and VAT consultants regarding records and
payments and ensure compliance with all regulations.
9. Ensure the provision of a monthly payroll service and ensure delivery of an accurate,
reliable and quality payroll service to all staff.
10. To liaise with all regulatory external bodies in connection with any financial or charity
matters, i.e. auditors, accountants, bank, solicitors, Charity Commission, Companies
House, insurance company, pension advisors and others.
11. Annual completion of the Charity Commission self-assessment, ensuring that we
comply with best practice.
12. Attend the meetings of the local networking groups as required.
13. Review and monitor performance of the business’s investments and provide up to date
reports to the Board of Trustees, enabling them to make appropriate investment
decisions.
14. As part of financial reporting, complete regular analysis of all income and expenditure,
supporting budget holders as required to identify areas where cost savings and
efficiencies can be made.
15. Support in the preparation of business cases as necessary across the business.
16. Support in the preparation of benchmarking information to assist in the determination
of opportunities to improve the organisation’s financial position.
17. Support the business’s efforts to maximise income from all sources providing financial
information and attending committees and other forums as required to assist in this.
18. Develop and maintain an asset register of all property across the business. Ensure
capital accounting policies are agreed annually by the Finance Committee.
19. Ensure appropriate financial procedures, financial governance and policies are in place
across the business and ensure they are regularly reviewed and appropriate.
20. Ensure good systems of financial control and checks are in place for all assets.
21.To manage and support staff in the Finance Department, ensuring they have the right
knowledge and skills to carry out their duties effectively.
22. Ensure that all members of the leadership team (ELT and SLT) and the board have the
necessary knowledge and support regarding financial matters including the provision
of training if necessary.
23. Attend committees and key meetings to present relevant financial information at the
request of the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and Directors of the
Trading Company.
October 2025
PERFORMANCE STANDARDS
1. Annual income and expenditure budgets are approved annually and monitored
monthly.
2. Management Accounts are aimed to be completed within 10 working days of month
end and available for the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and Directors
of the Trading Company.
3. Regulatory requirements are met as and when they fall due.
4. The provision of an accurate and reliable set of annual financial statements.
5. Meet with statutory and external organisations in a timely and professional manner.
6. Quarterly VAT returns, Annual Corporation Tax returns and other statutory returns are
submitted in a timely manner.
7. With regard to financial records and reporting, to comply with and meet the standards
of the Care Quality Commission.
8. Completion of all Charity Commission regulatory requirements.
9. Ensure that we have robust financial systems in place for all assets and liabilities
incorporating monthly reviews of creditors and debtors.
10. Ensure financial information requirements of the Executive Leadership Team, Board of
Trustees and Directors of the Trading Company are met in a timely manner.
11. Ensure that the business has financial systems and processes in place that will comply
with regulatory requirements for healthcare services.
12. Be an active member of the Senior Leadership Team participating in all relevant
meetings contributing where possible, to the achievement of business objectives.
13. To take rotational responsibility as Out of Hours Duty Manager, if required.
14. Provide advice, support and information to the Executive Leadership Team; Board of
Trustees and Directors of the Trading Company on financial matters enabling the
business to meet its objectives.
GENERAL DUTIES
1. To liaise with Head of Human Resources to advise, where necessary, on all salary and
pension matters, keeping up to date with changing legislation.
2. To communicate with the banks, HMRC, Department of Work and Pensions and all
other relevant external bodies regarding all pension, tax and National Insurance
issues.
3. To liaise with all Senior Leadership team colleagues to ensure payroll data is accurate
and kept up to date.
October 2025
4. To liaise with the Head of Fundraising in matters relating to fundraising income and
expenditure and the fundraising and lottery database, ensuring that any information is
an accurate reflection of income and expenditure.
5. To liaise with the Head of Retail in matters relating to the trading company’s income
accurate.
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6. To verify that insurance cover is appropriate and adequate for the various business
functions and to ensure that it is kept up to date.
7. To ensure that there is compliance across the business with financial statutory
regulations and internal financial policies.
8. Ensure that there is a robust information governance regime across all financial
matters across the business.
9. To undertake and manage the annual appraisal process for the Finance Team,
identifying any training and development needs.
10. Ensure that all members of the Finance Team attend mandatory and statutory training
as required and that evaluations are undertaken to monitor effectiveness.
11. The post holder will adhere to all relevant legislation and policies of the business.
12. Any other reasonable duties as directed by the Executive Leadership Team, the Board
of Trustees and Directors of the Trading Company.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Th Through the course of your employment you may become aware of information relating
to patients, volunteers and staff. All such information must be treated as confidential.
B
REVIEW OF THE JOB
This list of duties is not intended to be exhaustive, and the post holder will be expected
to be flexible in their approach to the role and it responsibilities.
It is likely that the role will evolve and change over time and this job description will be
reviewed and updated in consultation with the post holder.
The Hospice operates a no smoking policy on all its premises.
October 2025