Meet the Team – Anne Davies, Head of Finance

Actes’ Head of Finance Anne Davies has come a long way since embarking on a Business Admin YTS almost 20-years ago.  With an overall responsibility for the charity’s financial health, Anne combines both an operational and strategic role, managing the accounting and financial control functions for the organisation as well as shaping its financial strategy to ensure long-term growth.

Having aspired towards a career in accounting from a young age, Anne undertook a bookkeeping course after having her first daughter in 1993.  With the training under her belt she was able to secure an accounts assistant role with Timberworld and subsequently its parent company Aanco UK, where her duties included purchase ledger, sales and payroll.  During her time with the organisation Anne continued to invest in her personal development, achieving her AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians) certificate which she studied for at an evening class.

Anne remained at Aanco for six years before making the transition to Durham Tees Valley Airport as assistant management accountant, progressing to management accountant during her three years with the organisation.  The accounts function also covered Liverpool and Doncaster airports and when the accounts function was centralised to Liverpool, Anne, who had two young daughters at the time, decided to take redundancy.

In January 2009, almost ten years ago, Anne joined West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust (WMNT), as Actes was then known, as Finance Systems Officer before being promoted to Finance and Contracts Manager in July 2010.  In March 2014 she was promoted to Head of Finance and now manages a team of three who are responsible for processing the financial data for the different areas of the business including the organisation’s delivery projects which help people to fulfil their potential, its two business and community centres Acklam Green Centre and the Resource Centre and a small housing stock. 

Anne comments: “Making the transition to the third sector was a big change having come from a fast-paced private sector background where I was carrying out operational roles.  At Actes there are different standards to meet including Charity Commission governance.  Other processes are different to, so it’s definitely been a learning curve but one which I’ve really enjoyed.”

On a day to day basis, Anne’s broad remit includes ensuring all of Actes’ accounting activities comply with legislation and organisational policies and procedures, producing quarterly reports including reviewing the organisation’s investment portfolio, overseeing payroll and pensions and working with the auditors to prepare the annual financial statements. She also plays a key role in setting the budgets for any funding applications, and once funds are secured for the organisation’s delivery projects, she is responsible for monitoring project spend and ensuring the funders’ financial requirements are met.

Other responsibilities within the varied role include fraud protection, ensuring the team is up-to-date with the latest requirements and able to identify threats.  Anne has also played a key role in the rollout of IT systems, including Actes’ recent transfer to Office 365 and the implementation of the booking system for the two business centres.

She added: “I relish being able to play a more strategic role and helping to shape the organisation’s business plan. I take a lot of satisfaction from the fact that my role contributes to helping people, who are often facing a number of challenges, to improve their lives.”

As her career has progressed, Anne has continued to boost her qualifications. She completed the ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) Strategic Professional Certificate in accounting and business in 2013, making her a qualified accountant, with Actes supporting her through the final two years of the qualification. 

Anne added: “I make a point of keeping on top of the latest industry developments. I attend conferences and read a lot of industry publications to refresh my knowledge and to make sure I’m equipped with the most up-to-date information; whether that’s researching new systems that can improve the efficiency of organisation or information about the latest online threats to make sure Actes’ financial interests are protected.”

For further information about Actes visit www.actes.co.uk or contact 01642 856 030.