Senior Finance Officer

Scottish Federation of Housing Associations; Motherwell, East Kilbride; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading housing organization based in Motherwell is seeking a Finance Officer to oversee financial controls, budgeting, and compliance. The role involves managing financial reporting and leading the finance administration team. The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree, strong financial management skills, and a commitment to developing a high-performance team culture.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial reporting and management.
• Knowledge of housing association finance regulations.
• Ability to motivate and develop team members.

Responsibilities

• Deliver consolidated management accounts and rolling forecasts.
• Ensure high quality financial services in compliance with regulations.
• Line manage the finance administration function.

Skills

Financial management

Budgeting

Risk management

Team leadership

Education

Relevant degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Accounting software

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Position Details

• Location: Motherwell
• Salary: EVH Grade 7 (£40,635 - £44,619)
• Hours: 35 hours per week
• Grade: Grade 7
• Contract: Permanent

Job Type

Full Time

Overall Purpose

This post is a key position within Clyde Valley Housing Association and will work closely with the Finance Manager and Finance and Corporate Services Director to ensure effective financial controls, management of budgets and business planning. The post will assist the Finance Manager in their responsibility for the provision of a full financial and management accounting service in order to underpin the work carried out by the Clyde Valley Group.

Main Responsibilities

• Deliver consolidated management accounts, provide support in rolling forecasts, monthly devolved budget reviews, investor relations activity and other monthly reporting.
• Provision of high quality, responsive, effective and timeous financial services on all aspects of housing association finance and business planning in accordance with legislative and regulatory compliance and lenders’ requirements, as well as internal policy and procedure.
• Ensure the highest standards of internal control and risk management.
• Line manage the finance administration function within the team ensuring the day‑to‑day operation of the organisation’s data processing is met.
• Work with Finance and other colleagues to build understanding of the business areas to support analysis, decision making and challenge.
• Take a proactive and key role in projects, including effective planning and monitoring of projects, managing risk, issues and benefits and contingency planning.
• Creating a performance culture underpinned by a strong personal performance and continuous improvement.
• Support the organisation with achieving value for money by monitoring and analysing spend levels, promote good budget practice and identify and deliver efficiency savings with the team and budget holders.
• Consider any risk the business is subject to through day‑to‑day duties and from knowledge of the wider business, ensuring risks are identified and reported to the Finance Manager.
• Manage operational relationships with external agencies such as pension provider, lenders, etc.

Staff Development and Management

• Inspirational management to develop, engage and motivate the team.
• Work closely with the Finance Manager to ensure coordination of financial deadlines within the overall team to ensure that these are met.
• Plan individual tasks to ensure they fit within wider strategic deadlines.
• Manage the Finance administration function, developing and motivating that team and ensuring they are working as part of the overall team.
• Provide staff training.
• Provide technical accounting support to team.
• Maintain high levels of staff engagement and maintain the organisation’s culture and values.

Financial Reporting

• Preparation of monthly and quarterly Group management accounts, reports and budget variance analysis for review by the Finance Manager and Finance and Corporate Services Director.
• Ensure the integrity of the financial accounting system including reviewing reconciliations of balance sheet accounts and assist in the maintenance of the chart of accounts.
• Preparation of the annual business planning documents for the Group and its subsidiary for review by the Finance Manager and Finance and Corporate Services Director and update monthly based on reforecast information.
• Assist in the co‑ordination of the annual budget exercise, collating all information from devolved budget holders.
• Produce and monitor departmental monthly devolved budgets, providing advice, training and assistance to colleagues as required.
• Liaise with External Audit staff and assist in the preparation of the annual audit file and co‑ordination of year‑end processes within agreed timescales.
• Supervise monitoring and reconciliation of new supply expenditure to balance sheet accounts, ensuring all grants for new supply expenditure and private finance drawdowns are accounted for.
• Account for fixed‑asset additions/disposals on a monthly basis and ensure all component schedules are updated and loaded onto the system when developments are completed.
• Returns to HMRC e.g. Payroll, VAT and associated returns.
• Monitor and improve working practices, ensuring clear audit trails are in place.

Committee Reporting, Representation, Policy and Procedures

• Assist in the preparation of reports, reporting to and servicing of the Audit Committee, parent, subsidiary and Associate Board(s).
• Assist in the development and review of finance policy and procedures in line with best practice and ensure effective implementation of these.
• Assist in the provision of regular departmental performance reports and assist with reports on key performance indicators.

General

• Ensure statutory, contractual and regulatory returns are made accurately and time‑wise.
• Maintain Fixed Asset and Housing Property Registers (and establish others as required).
• Co‑ordinate and collate all information relevant to the insurance renewal quote annually.
• Attend seminars, training courses and other events as appropriate and prepare reports on learning outcomes as required.
• Carry out any other duties appropriate to the position as required and at the discretion of the Finance and Corporate Services Director and Finance Manager.

Interview Details

Interview date: 16th and 17th December 2025