Financial Controller

FWAG SW specialises in delivering environmental improvements in the farmed landscape. We
concentrate on delivering real change on farmland by working with farmers and landowners across
the region. Combining an understanding of farming systems, land management and farm businesses
with soil and water management and farm nutrient management, FWAG SW is able to effect positive
environmental change in the wider landscape. We focus on helping farm businesses to manage
their natural capital assets like soil, water, biodiversity and carbon. FWAG SW advisers
deliver environmental gains by making government policy, environmental incentives and
regulations and emerging environmental markets accessible and meaningful for farmers and land
managers at a practical delivery level.

We cover 6 counties in the South West and have 5 regional offices.

Our Advisory employees are supported by an efficient team of finance, administrative, communications and HR colleagues. The Financial Controller is responsible for the design, preparation and
maintenance of effective financial reporting, with the successful applicant working closely
with the CEO, team leaders and our small finance and admin team to ensure that the charity is
financially robust and is meeting all its financial compliance obligations. This will require
team working and the development of new systems.

We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and abilities who meet the essential criteria for
this role, as stated in the Person Specification. We are an open and inclusive organisation
seeking to improve the diversity of our workforce.

Main purpose of the job:

• To prepare FWAG South West annual accounts for auditing and compliance purposes
• To provide the Trustees and Senior Management Team with accurate and up to date financial
  information to support effective decision-making
• To manage a positive cashflow
• To manage and develop the charity’s financial accounting software and procedures
• To ensure the charity achieves its financial compliance obligations and has robust
  financial controls

You will have:

• A relevant degree, AAT level 4 or equivalent, or qualified by experience
• A minimum of 5 years’ finance experience in a similar sized organisation
• Annual financial reporting and preparation of charity accounts
• Budgeting and preparation of management accounts
• Cashflow management
• VAT returns
• Significant experience of financial accounting software
• Experience of Payroll processing and administration
• Be proficient in Microsoft Office: Excel, Word & Outlook

We welcome applications from those looking for a minimum of 30 hours per week (37.5 is 1FTE). We offer flexibility around working hours and time off in lieu is also available. We offer 25 days holiday pro rata (rising to 30 days with service), plus statutory holidays.

Our benefits include:

• The ability to buy an extra week of annual leave (pro-rata for part-time staff) 
• Full support to undertake further training and qualifications
• Company pension (employer contribution 4%, employee contribution 4%)
• Staff Wellbeing Scheme
• Death in service (four times salary)
• Paid subscription to relevant professional bodies, by agreement
• Cycle to work scheme (subject to eligibility)

The role will include some travelling in the south west region and a regular presence is required in at
our main office in Wellington, Somerset.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable
applications. If you are interested, we’d encourage you to submit your application as early as
possible.