Senior Finance Officer

GOVANHILL HOUSING ASSOCIATION

SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER

CANDIDATE INFORMATION PACK

Thank you for your interest in our vacant position of Senior Finance Officer.

This file contains all of the information you will need to apply for the post:-

•  General information regarding the Association
•  Our job advert which can also be found in Employers in Voluntary Housing’s

website and publications

•  The Job Description and Person Specification
•  A brief summary of the terms and conditions of the post
•  Staff structures

The job Application Form is available as a separate Microsoft Word file which you may
complete electronically.

Please note that the closing date for applications is Monday 23rd March at 10.00 a.m.

If you require further information regarding the Association or the position advertised,

please do not hesitate in contacting me on 0141 636 3626 or by email:

mwilliamson@govanhillha.org

Thank you.

Alison Kevan
Director of Corporate Services & HR
akevan@govanhillha.org

1.

Background

1.1  Govanhill Housing Association was formed in 1975 and is a Registered Social

Landlord which operates within a Group Structure.

1.2

The Association owns 2,800 tenanted units and is factor to 1,500 owners.

1.3

The Association has a Management Committee and has four sub committees:

•  Audit & Risk
•  Development & Property Services
•  Finance & General Purposes
•  Tenancy Services

1.4

The Association’s Wider-Role activities are provided via the Association’s wholly

owned, non-charitable subsidiary, Govanhill Community Development Trust,
which also owns and manages a portfolio of commercial properties.

1.5

The Association operates from our offices at Samaritan House, part of the former
Royal Samaritan Hospital, which was refurbished by the Association in 2006.

2.

Staffing

2.1

The Association’s current staffing structure involves 72 (full time equivalent) staff

deployed as follows :

•  Director
•  Senior Management Team –

o  Head of Corporate Services & HR
o  Head of Development and Property Services
o  Head of Finance & ICT
o  Head of Tenancy Services

•  Corporate Services & HR Team
•  Development & Property Services Team
•  Finance & ICT Team
•  Tenancy Services Team

•  Govanhill Community Development Trust

Govanhill Community Development Trust was established in 1991.  It is a company
limited by shares with all shares held by its parent, Govanhill Housing Association.   The
Trust has two main purposes:

1.    To provide social, economic and environmental benefits for the Govanhill

community

The  Trust  acts  as  the  community  regeneration,  development  and  support  arm  for

Govanhill  Housing  Association.   The  Trust  has  a  wider  role  within  the  community

working closely with the Association and delivers a wide range of activities.

2.    The letting and management of a significant portfolio of workspaces

The  Trust  has  progressively  expanded  its  role  in  providing  workspace  and  office

accommodation.

In  doing  so,

the  Trust  has  supported

local  economic

development.  We have a range of tenants including private businesses, community

organisations, social enterprises, entrepreneurs and others.  This role has protected a

number of local buildings and provides an income that can be used to support the

Trust’s wider purposes.

Govanhill Housing Association provides a comprehensive range of services focused on the needs of tenants
and  owner  occupiers  in  the  Govanhill  and  Merrylee  communities.    We  carry  out  acquisition  and

improvement of tenemental stock as well as delivering a new build programme. We work closely with our
subsidiary  company,  Govanhill  Community  Development  Trust,  whose  community  development  and

regeneration services complement our own role as a social landlord.

Senior Finance Officer
(28 hours per week)

EVH GRADE 8 (Spinal points PA28-31)
£51,075 - £55,259 p.a. (pro-rata)
from 1st April 2026

Govanhill  Housing  Association  provides  a  comprehensive  range  of  services  focused  on  the  needs  of

tenants and owner occupiers in the Govanhill and Merrylee communities.  We  carry out acquisition and
improvement  of  tenemental  stock  as  well  as maintaining  and  improving  our  existing  housing  stock.  We

work  closely  with  our  subsidiary  company,  Govanhill  Community  Development  Trust,  whose  community
development and regeneration services complement our own role as a social landlord.

We are seeking to appoint an experienced individual to join our experienced Finance & IT Team.  You will

be a confident accountant with a broad experience of day-to-day accounting tasks.  You will be
experienced in preparing Management Accounts, budgets and the year-end pack along with the various

ad-hoc duties which arise. You will be a confident staff manager and someone with a focus on providing
efficient and effective services to our colleagues and customers.

You will propose ways in which we can work more efficiently, including ways in which we can automate

processes.

It is expected that the post holder will be CCAB qualified or be qualified through having gained sufficient
relevant experience.  Experience of working with a social landlord is desirable, though not required.

If  you  share  our  commitment  to  providing  excellent  services  to  our  customers  in

Govanhill and Merrylee and would enjoy working within this diverse community, you
can find further information in the Application Pack which can be obtained from our

website: www.govanhillha.org or contact:

GOVANHILL HOUSING ASSOCIATION, Samaritan House, 79 Coplaw Street, Glasgow
G42 7JG

Telephone: 0141- 636 3626 Email: recruitment@govanhillha.org
Closing date: Monday 23rd March 2026 at 10 am
Interview Date: Wednesday 1st April 2026

EVH conditions of service will apply.
Govanhill  Housing  Association  is  committed  to  Equality  of  Opportunities  and

welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Job Description

Job Title

Senior Finance Officer

Section

Grade

Finance & IT

8

Date Reviewed

February 2026

1.

     Main Objectives of Post

1.1

1.2

1.3

1.4

1.5

To assist and support the Director of Finance & IT in all matters associated with

the finance function of the Association.

To manage and co-ordinate the day-to-day activities of the Finance and IT
team ensuring the delivery of high quality, efficient and effective services.

To prepare budgets, management accounts and statutory annual accounts

within required timescales.

To act as line manager for the staff team supporting and developing staff to
deliver excellence in services and achieve their full potential.

To lead in the review, development and implementation of policies and

procedures ensuring adherence to all statutory and regulatory requirements.

2.      Accountability

2.1

To the Director of Finance & IT on a day-to-day basis, and to the Finance &
General Purposes Sub-Committee and Management Committee of the

Association and our subsidiary company Board.

Principal duties

3.
3.
General Financial Administration

3.1

To ensure that the financial function is carried out in an efficient manner in
accordance with the Association’s policies and procedures and also with the
Scottish Housing Regulator and other statutory requirements.

3.2

To maintain and control accounting systems and records in a satisfactory

manner and advise of their future development as appropriate.

3.3

To support and liaise with other sections within the Association to ensure that
accounting systems and records provide their staff with the financial information
necessary to carry out their duties.

3.4

Liaison with external bodies including the Scottish Housing Regulator, HMRC and
the Association’s solicitors, bankers and auditors.

Budgets, Management Accounts and Statutory Annual Accounts

3.5

To prepare budgets and management accounts in accordance with formats
and timescales determined by the Finance & General Purposes Sub-Committee.

3.6

To prepare the annual accounts in accordance with statutory requirements and

within timescales determined by the Finance & General Purposes Sub-
Committee.

3.7

To ensure that annual accounts and statutory returns are prepared and

submitted timeously to the Scottish Housing Regulator, the Register of Friendly
Societies, O.S.C.R., HMRC, FCA and other statutory bodies as appropriate.

Loan Accounting

3.8

To maintain loan records and ensure returns required and financial covenants

set by lenders are complied with.

3.9

To prepare and submit loan portfolio returns to the Scottish Housing Regulator.

3.10

To prepare the Loan Portfolio Report to Management Committee or the Finance &
General Purposes Sub Committee.

Major Repairs Accounting

3.11

To maintain accounting records, identifying property component types and

recording the expenditure relating to each category.

3.12

To maintain the records to prepare journals and charge the appropriate
depreciation in respect of the different property component types.

Provision of Services

3.13

To provide financial and administrative services on a common basis, to all
companies within the Govanhill Housing Association group structure.

3.14

To provide financial and administrative services to external clients of Govanhill
Housing Association and other companies within its group structure.

Supervision of Payroll

3.15

To supervise and assist with the payment of monthly wages and associated

submissions, reconciliations and journals.

4.      Staff Management

4.1

To develop, manage and motivate staff within the team reviewing workload
regularly and reallocating as required.

4.2  To be responsible for regular supervision and support meetings with members of

the team and for the completion of annual staff performance reviews, completing
documentation timeously and taking appropriate action as required.

5.     Information & Confidentiality

5.1

To ensure that any relevant information requests are met within timescales and
appropriate information shared.

5.2  To ensure compliance with Complaints Policy, General Data Protection

Regulations, Environmental Information Regulations and Freedom of Information
legislation providing information and responding to complaints or requests
timeously.

5.3     To agree and implement any learning points from complaints and discuss at

team meetings.

5.4

To maintain confidentiality at all times and adhere to the Association’s policies

and procedures in this area.

6.    Audit

6.1

To support any internal and external audits, meeting with auditors, responding to
queries, commenting on draft audit reports and implementing action plans as
required.

7.  Health & Safety

7.1      Ensure all Health & Safety obligations are met in relation to the post and wider

department obligations.

7.2     To report any Health & Safety issues immediately to the relevant member of staff.

8.    Equal Opportunities

8.1

To ensure activities in Finance & IT fully comply with Equal Opportunities legislation

and best practice.

8.2  To ensure when managing staff regard is taken of relevant employment

legislation including The Equality Act 2010 and advice is sought as required.

8.3   To promote a culture in the organisation that embraces equality, diversity and

inclusion.

9.    Other Duties

9.1

To attend meetings including those out with normal office hours as required.

9.2  At specific times of the year and for specific tasks agreed in advance working out

with normal working hours may be required.

9.3  To attend Management Committee and other Committee Meetings as required.

9.4  To represent the Association as required at meetings or consultations.

9.5  To attend appropriate training and to undertake other duties

as required, commensurate with the nature and grade of the post.

9.6  Any other duties as are required by the Association, commensurate with the

nature and grade of the post.

Person Specification

Job Title

Section

Grade

Senior Finance Officer

Finance

8

Date Reviewed

February 2026

Education/Qualifications

Essential

Desirable

A professional accountancy qualification or equivalent

*

experience.

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Desirable

1.

1.1

2.

2.1

Broad practical experience in a wide range of

financial management gained in various finance roles

with a variety of organisations.

2.2

Experience in preparation of budgets.

2.3

Experience in preparation of management accounts.

2.4

Experience in preparation of annual accounts.

2.5

Experience of wider Corporate Services duties and

responsibilities such as basic HR functions .

2.6

Experience in liaising with and submitting statutory

returns to a range of organisations such as:
•  The Scottish Housing Regulator
•  The Financial Conduct Authority
•  O.S.C.R.
•  HMRC
•  Solicitors
•
•

Internal and External Auditors

Lenders

2.7

Experience in Loan Accounting with the ability to:
•  maintain loan records and ensure returns

required by and financial covenants set by

lenders are complied with.

prepare and submit loan portfolio returns to the

Scottish Housing Regulator.

prepare the Loan Portfolio Report to Management

Committee or Finance & General Purposes Sub

•

•

Committee.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

2.

2.8

Skills, Knowledge and Experience

Essential

Desirable

Experience in Major Repairs Accounting with the ability

*

to:-

•  maintain accounting records, identifying
expenditure by property component type

•  maintain records to prepare journals, and charge
appropriate level of depreciation in respect of the

different property component types.

•  maintain VAT records in compliance with VAT

shelter requirements.

2.9

Excellent communication: oral/written.

2.10

Ability to meet deadlines.

2.11

Excellent organisational skills.

2.12

Ability to work on own initiative and as part of a team.

2.13

Strong I.T. skills.

2.14

Experience in maintaining, controlling and developing

manual and computerised accounting systems and

records.

*

*

*

*

*

*

2.15

Previous experience of working in a similar role

*

Personal Characteristics

Essential

Desirable

3.

3.2

A manager who inspires and empowers staff to deliver

the best possible service to our customers

3.3

Approachable, flexible and decisive.

*

*

RECRUITMENT OF SENIOR FINANCE OFFICER (28 HOURS PER WEEK)

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

Govanhill Housing Association is a member of ‘Employers in Voluntary Housing’ (EVH)
and the terms and conditions for this job largely follow the EVH terms. A summary of the
principal areas are as follows:

Salary Scale
The current EVH salary scale for this job, from 1st April 2026, will be Grade 8 (Spinal Points
28-31) - £51,075 - £55,259 p.a. (pro-rata).

Hours of work
This post is for 28 hours per week.  A flexible working system is in operation.

Holiday Leave
25 working days holiday leave and 15 days general and public holidays (pro-rata) is

available.

Pension Scheme

The Association is a member of the Scottish Housing Associations’ Defined Contribution
Pension Scheme which you have the option of joining 3 months after your start date.

Notice Period

One month by either party.

This summary is for general guidance of applicants and will not form part of the
contract of employment. Any offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of

satisfactory references.

GOVANHILL HOUSING ASSOCIATION

STAFF STRUCTURE