This is a rare opportunity for a qualified Financial Controller to work for the trade body representing the UK’s world-leading education suppliers.

Summary

The Financial Controller is responsible for the preparation of internal management accounts and the completion of statutory financial statements, including liaison with external auditors. This individual is responsible for directing, coordinating and maintaining the accounting function so that all financial reporting properly reflects the financial position of the non-profit and conforms to all relevant legal, regulatory and recommended practice.

The Financial Controller monitors compliance with financial procedures and internal controls, recommending improvements as appropriate.

As this is the sole financial role within BESA, the financial controller will also be responsible for bookkeeping, issuing invoices and chasing / following up on debtors, alongside managing the process for pursuing debtors via legal processes.

The Financial Controller will provide consistently high-quality support to BESA on finance matters.

Detailed duties and responsibilities:

Internal management information

• Lead on the production of monthly management accounts and reporting to budget holders, directors and the board.
• Analyse variances, flag and explore potential problems or emerging issues with budget holders and make appropriate recommendations.
• Assist in the continual improvement of the systems surrounding all aspects of BESA’s accounting, budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and end user financial information systems and workflows.
• Provide reactive and proactive financial advice and support to the fundraising, programmes and communications departments.
• Ensure the timely and accurate completion of month end procedures by all team members.
• Periodic review and implementation of cost allocations between teams.

External reporting

• Lead on the preparation of the statutory consolidated financial statements of the non-profit and related subsidiaries, including liaison with external auditors.

Other key responsibilities

• Issuing invoices and chasing / following up on debtors, alongside managing the process for pursuing debtors via legal processes.
• Be the key member of the leadership team responsible for cross organisational planning and budgeting.
• Carrying out income reconciliation between Xero and the bank accounts.
• Completing sample checks of the financial reports.
• Lead on the membership renewals process, working with the Membership Coordinator.
• Lead on the quarterly financial forecasting process.
• Lead on devising and delivering training sessions on finance related matters to nonfinancial staff to build capacity and understanding throughout BESA.
• Respond to requests for advice on financial policies and procedures, and provide proactive advice on specialist accounting and tax matters relating to new projects or activities.
• Assist in the drafting of the annual finance plans.
• Manage or participate in project or specialist groups as appropriate.
• Identify potential problems or opportunities and carry out any necessary research to make recommendations on the next steps, and executing agreed decisions.
• Proactively promote greater understanding and engagement with finance related issues throughout BESA.
• Represent the Finance Team at internal or external meetings as required.

What you have to offer:

• A qualification in CIMA, ACCA or ACA or a similar equivalent, with at least 2-3 years’ post-qualification experience.
• Experience of using accounting packages (ideally Sage / Xero).
• Educated to degree level, or equivalent work experience.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels, both internally and externally.
• Excellent presentation skills and telephone manner with the confidence to engage with a wide range of companies, often with individuals at a senior level.
• Strong organisational skills, with an ability to juggle a number of tasks under pressure.
• First class customer service skills.
• Personable, engaging individual who has the ability to add value to the overall team effort.
• Enthusiastic and committed to achieving both individual and organisational goals, demonstrating a clear understanding of BESA and what it is trying to achieve.

The package:

• Pension scheme
• 25 days holiday plus bank holidays
• The role is a permanent position with a three-month probationary period
• Estimated start date: Immediate, although notice periods are fully taken into account
• Location: Canary Wharf, E14 9XL
• Salary: Between £40-50,000 per annum, depending on experience + benefits

Other details: Applications will only be considered when accompanied by a covering letter outlining your interest in the role, and why you would like to work at BESA. Please send this along with your CV to jobs@besa.org.uk

About BESA: BESA, the British Educational Suppliers Association, is the only trade association covering the entirety of the UK educational suppliers sector. It has an 80-year heritage serving the UK education sector, and represents over 300 educational suppliers in the UK, including manufacturers and distributors of equipment, materials, books, consumables, furniture, technology, ICT hardware and digital-content related services to the education market. Combined, they generate upwards of £2 billion of revenue each year.

BESA offers unparalleled support, research, events and advice on both UK and International markets, and the future of the education suppliers industry. BESA founded the BETT Show in 1985, the Education Show in 1991 and the Education World Forum in 2011 and currently has over 40 education start-ups in its “Launchpad” programme.

We are a small, committed team working in a fantastic sector, where your work can make a real difference to the education of the next generation.