Awards set to recognise unsung heroes of finance

Now in its fifth year, the Housing Association National Accountancy (HANA) awards, organised by the National Housing Federation (NHF), has become a highlight of the finance professional’s calendar.

Social Housing is proud to be media partner once again for the awards, which take place on 6 July 2017 at the Radisson Blu Portman Hotel in London.

Click here to see the HANAAS website

This year’s event will recognise the best and brightest in sector, across several major categories.

Social housing providers continue to face a changing operating environment, with rent cuts, welfare reform and the efficiency agenda all impacting the future trajectory of businesses.

Associations of all sizes face challenges, with a number of organisations delivering solutions in new and innovative ways.

The HANA awards continue to recognise best practice and to celebrate those individuals and organisations that are making the difference in finance, and which in turn, enables their organisations to make a difference to the lives of tenants and customers.

The challenges the sector faces are well reflected in the award categories and judging criteria.

Housing associations are under increasing pressure to prove they are delivering real efficiencies across their businesses. Entrants for the Efficiency and Value for Money category will have to demonstrate how their organisation continues to meet its social purpose by achieving ambitious objectives in an efficient and effective way.

Meanwhile the HANA Finance Team of the Year will have to demonstrate overall excellence, including how a smooth transition to Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 102 is delivering compliance, with judges examining entries’ quality, timeliness and format of financial reporting.

Greater financial freedoms have seen associations diversify their offering in terms of services and development tenure, and it is vital that an effective risk management strategy is embedded throughout organisations. Judges will be looking for effective and intelligent approaches to identifying, evaluating and managing internal and external risks for the HANA Best Risk Management award.

Nick Yandle, finance policy officer at the NHF, said: ‘2016/17 was a pivotal year for housing associations as we came to terms with the implementation of a new accounting standard, the first year of the 1 per cent rent cut, Brexit and a change in government.

‘The HANA Awards are a great opportunity to recognise the essential contribution finance professionals make to organisations and the sector, and the skill with which they balance social mission and financial viability. New and enhanced categories for Best Financial Communications and Best Innovation in Financial Technology/Software also reflect the current focus on transparency and innovation in the sector.’

Finance professionals of tomorrow are crucial to the future of the sector, and Social Housing is very pleased to be sponsoring the ‘Best Newcomer’ category.

Luke Cross, editor of Social Housing, said: ‘We’re delighted to support the HANA awards again this year.

‘We’re particularly pleased to be sponsoring the ‘Best Newcomer’ award.

‘With so much change and upheaval happening across the sector, it’s absolutely vital that we’re doing all we can to nurture and retain fresh talent. We all need to be thinking about the finance leaders of the future - particularly as the choices being made today will reverberate for many years to come.’

G15 member Amicushorizon was the big winner at last year’s awards, taking home four awards in total, including Best Value for Money, Finance Director of the Year for Large Organisations, Innovation in Financial Technology/Software and the Overall Winner crown.

Sarah Smith, executive director finance and resources at Amicushorizon and winner of two of those awards, said at the time: ‘I’m honoured to have been recognised as FD of the year against such incredible competition.’