Chief accountant jobs

We are seeking to appoint a Finance Manager to take responsibility for the day-to-day financial management of the organisation and to ensure accurate, reliable and well-managed financial processes.

This is a key role working closely with the Chief Executive, with responsibility for maintaining strong financial control, producing clear financial information and supporting effective decision-making.

About the role

This is a hands-on role with responsibility for:

• Producing accurate management accounts and financial reports
• Monitoring financial performance and cashflow
• Managing payroll and ensuring compliance with statutory requirements
• Maintaining effective financial systems, including Xero and BrightPay
• Ensuring financial processes are efficient, accurate and well controlled

You will also play an important role in supporting Board reporting and ensuring the organisation meets its regulatory and financial responsibilities.

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Has strong experience in a hands-on finance role
• Is confident producing management accounts and working with financial data
• Can interpret figures and provide clear, practical insight
• Is highly organised, accurate and able to work independently
• Has experience using accounting systems (ideally Xero) and payroll systems (ideally BrightPay)

Experience in a charity setting is welcome but not essential.

What this role offers

• A key role within a small and focused organisation
• Opportunity to work closely with the Chief Executive
• A role where you can take ownership and make a real impact on financial processes and reporting

Key details

• Part-time: 30 hours per week (ideally worked across 5 days)
• Salary: £35,217 per annum (full-time equivalent)
• Equivalent hourly rate: £18.06

How to apply

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a CV and a short supporting statement outlining your interest and suitability.

We reserve the right to close this role early if a suitable candidate is identified.

We are looking for a Core Operations Assistant to join the Swindon and Gloucestesershire Mind team to provide day-to-day administrative support for core services and function within Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind, including supporting the Management Team and Senior Leadership Team.

Key responsibilities include:

• To effectively support all administrative arrangements and support as required by the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Management Team.

• To undertake research and ad-hoc projects as needs arise or other duties may from time to time be necessary, that are compatible with the nature and grade of tis post.

• To be responsible for the inventory of hardware and systems.

• To be responsible for overseeing general correspondence as agreed with Senior Leadership Team, including but not limited to correspondence in relation to Recruitment and general enquiries not related to mental health support.

• To support with invoicing and managing correspondence from the Finance Inbox.

• To support with overseeing general equipment needs for all teams and take necessary actions as agreed with service managers.

• To be responsible for the administration of organizing Swindon & Gloucestershire Mind’s AGM, sending out invitations and logging responses.

• To support with the management of utilities contracts across core services and reviewing the efficiency and costs of each contract.

Creative Land Trust secures permanent affordable workspace in London for artists and creatives. We connect property developers, government authorities and studio providers forging valuable new collaborations, facilitating placemaking and actively participating in the development of policy in both the property and arts sectors.

Founded by the Mayor of London with expertise from Outset Contemporary Art Fund, and additional funding from Arts Council England and Bloomberg Philanthropies, we use our extensive knowledge of how the property and arts sectors interact to provide a way for donors, developers and investors to contribute to arts and culture at a systemic, infrastructure level.

We measure our impact in terms of community interaction, social benefit, wellbeing and employment; engaging expert studio providers for day-to-day management.

We are actively seeking funding from new donors and long-term partnerships with property owners that will lead to more stable space for arts and culture, improving the opportunities for creative practises to thrive and for communities to become more connected. In return we contribute to place making and community cohesion.

We are a small team with big ambitions seeking an experienced and motivated finance director who will work closely with the Chief Executive Officer and other members of the team to ensure that the Creative Land Trust works efficiently and effectively, making the best use of all its assets. The post holder will manage and have responsibility for the oversight of financial systems, reporting and analysis, as well as acting as Company Secretary and leading the delivery of good governance. This is a senior role and the post holder will have influence at trustee and team levels.

As our current CEO steps down after five successful years, we are looking for an outstanding candidate to lead our charity in the next stage of its development.

As Chief Executive Officer you will provide strategic and operational leadership to our well-established community charity, ensuring that our activities and projects continue to meet the changing needs of our local community.

You will work closely with the board of trustees to shape the next stage of our charity’s development. You will lead our staff team and ensure that all the resources and structures are in place that allow them and the charity to flourish. This means successfully securing grant funding, leading our community fundraising efforts, ensuring the charity meets its legal and regulatory obligations, managing the operational finances, and building effective partnerships within the local voluntary, community, and faith sector.

You will be equally comfortable writing a funding bid, supporting a member of staff, navigating a spreadsheet, working directly with beneficiaries, and providing concise and accessible reports to trustees and stakeholders. This is a varied role where no two days are quite the same. Your work will make a real difference to the lives of those we support and this is what makes it so rewarding.

For more information please see the recruitment pack attached. The closing date for applications is Friday 17 April 2026.

At Birmingham Hospice, our teams are united by a shared purpose: to improve the quality of life for people living with life-limiting conditions, and to support their families and loved ones during some of the most challenging times they will ever face.

We’re now looking for an experienced Management Accountant to join our Finance team. You will provide an effective management service to budget holders, senior managers and our executive directors and in turn help strengthen and shape the way we support our people.

If you’re a financial expert who is confident to provide complex financial and business advice to managers and budget holders across the Hospice whilst dealing with every-day challenges, we’d love to hear from you.

As the Senior Management Accountant, you will:

• Maintain up-to-date, accurate and appropriate accounting records for the Hospice, produced in accordance with the Hospice procedures and timetable
• Help to lead and manage a small team
• Provide comprehensive financial and business advice to one or more directorates
• Monitor budget performance and suggest service improvements
• Prepare and complete statutory business information returns and/ or income and expenditure accounts in accordance with monthly and annual timetables making sure the date is complete and accurate
• Contribute towards the production of the annual plan and budget setting

You’ll partner with dedicated areas of the hospice, building strong relationships quickly and offer solid financial advice and solutions.

If this sounds like you, we’d be delighted to receive your application.

 What We’re Looking For:

 · CCAB qualified or equivalent or qualified by experience

· Good leadership skills to motivate and manage the team

· Substantial accountancy experience within commercial, charitable or public sector environment with understanding of relevant financial regulation

· Ability to make decisions by analysing financial information and in turn set priorities and achieve goals

· Experience of producing accurate forecasts, generating savings and ensuring cash flow

· Ability to work with complex data and produce detailed reports with recommendations

What we offer in return:

 · The opportunity to be part of an amazing growing charity

· Competitive salary, generous holiday entitlement

· Wellbeing programmes, Reward Gateway retail discounts & financial tools

· The opportunity to develop and grow your financial career within the charity sector

Catalyst is looking to recruit an exceptional leader to be our next Chief Executive.

Candidates should be values-driven, with a passion for leading an organisation which supports the Voluntary, Community and Social Enterprise sector (VCSE). As Chief Executive, you must have the skills and experience to lead the dedicated, professional staff and volunteers in developing our services based on the needs of the sector, fulfilling the requirements of our funders, and actively seeking other opportunities for partnership work with statutory, private and VCSE partners.

The successful candidate will combine strategic and operational skills and have experience of effective leadership, including facilitating change in this sector. The role is offered at a salary of £51,500, plus pension and 28 days holiday a year.

You can find out more information and how to apply at Catalyst Chief Executive – Catalyst Stockton

Methodist Chapel Aid Ltd (MCA) is a long‑established bank specialising in lending to churches and associated organisations across the UK. As we enter a period of planned growth in both lending and deposits, we are seeking a Chief Finance Officer who will also serve as Company Secretary and act as deputy to the Chief Executive. This is a rare opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a small, regulated financial institution with a strong mission-driven purpose.

What the role offers

You will hold SMF2 responsibility and lead MCA’s financial strategy, ensure robust governance, and oversee the organisation’s financial operations. As a key member of the leadership team, you will work closely with the Board and Chief Executive to support sustainable growth, maintain regulatory compliance, and strengthen our financial systems and controls. The role combines strategic influence with hands‑on responsibility - ideal for someone who thrives in a small, collaborative environment.

Key responsibilities

• Operational Duties: Oversee the day-to-day financial operations of the Company, including financial processes, monthly and year-end accounts, staff supervision, Board reporting and support for key governance committees.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure the Company meets all PRA, FCA, HMRC and other regulatory requirements, including the preparation of regulatory returns and documentation.
• Financial Leadership: Provide strategic financial leadership including budgeting, forecasting, capital and liquidity planning, financial reporting, and assessment of loan applications.
• Company Secretary Duties: Support the Board in fulfilling its governance and statutory responsibilities, including maintaining statutory records and advising on governance best practice.

Further details of the responsibilities and requirements of the role are set out in the Job Description and Personal Specification available with this advert.

Essential experience and attributes

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Senior finance leadership experience, ideally within a regulated financial services environment.
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing external audits.
• Ability to operate effectively in a small organisation with hands‑on responsibilities.
• Experience advising Boards and supporting governance or Company Secretary functions.
• Strong analytical, financial modelling and problem‑solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to explain complex financial matters clearly.
• Commitment to good governance.
• Adaptable, collaborative and comfortable balancing strategic and operational work.

Desirable experience

• Background in banking, mutual organisations, church or charity finance.
• Strong understanding of PRA/FCA regulatory frameworks and prudential requirements.
• Knowledge of mission‑based or niche lending sectors, particularly lending to churches.
• Experience acting as deputy to a Chief Executive or contributing to strategic planning.

Practical details

• Full‑time, based on‑site at our York office.
• Occasional travel for meetings, regulatory engagement or sector events.
• As part of a small team, flexibility and willingness to support colleagues across functions is essential.
• We are only able to consider applicants from those who are eligible to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship.

Timeline

Closing date: 1 May 2026

Interview date: 4 June 2026 (planned) in person, in York

A rare opportunity has arisen to join The Place, a global leader in contemporary dance, as Chief Financial Officer at a pivotal moment of growth, investment and strategic transformation.

The Place champions creativity, innovation and inclusivity through dance. From world-class touring programmes and the training of exceptional artists at the renowned London Contemporary Dance School, to extensive outreach initiatives and accessible community classes, As the organisation approaches its 60th anniversary, this is an exciting time to join during a period of ambitious growth and transformation.

Reporting to and working closely with the Chief Executive, Clare Connor, the CFO will play a pivotal leadership role within the organisation. You will lead the Finance, HR and Operations teams, acting as a key strategic partner to the senior leadership team.

This role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of The Place, contributing to major strategic initiatives including capital development and expansion projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the Chief Executive’s principal financial adviser, shaping organisational strategy through insight, modelling and commercial analysis
• Provide leadership across Finance, HR and Operations (Estates, IT and Visitor Services), ensuring alignment and efficiency across all enabling functions
• Lead long-term financial strategy, including multi-year planning and scenario modelling
• Drive digital innovation across finance and operational functions
• Deliver robust financial appraisal for estates decisions, including major capital programmes
• Provide financial leadership for commercial activities
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting and performance management processes
• Ensure strong financial controls, accurate reporting and high-quality management information

About You

You will be a:

• Qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience
• Strong business partner with excellent interpersonal and stakeholder management skills
• Strategic thinker with the ability to influence at senior level

You will have an interest in the creative industries and the mission of The Place. Experience or exposure to the charity, arts, culture or higher education sectors is advantageous but not essential

Candidates stepping up into their first CFO role are strongly encouraged to apply. 

Benefits

Salary: £90,000 - £95,000 per annum
Annual Leave: 25 days + 8 bank holidays

• Hybrid working with office-working from central London office
• Theatre ticket allowance and free and discounted access to evening classes
• Weekly staff Pilates/Yoga class
• Subsidised café and bar prices
• Employee Assistance Programme delivered by Wellbeing in the Arts
• Payment for relevant professional fees / membership

Ivy Rock Partners has been exclusively retained to manage this appointment. For a confidential discussion about the role and opportunity, please contact Holly Arrowsmith at Ivy Rock Partners.

The Finance and Business Operations Director will lead VAST’s financial and operational strategy, ensuring robust financial management, effective HR and IT systems, compliance with Health and Safety, and the efficient running of The Dudson Centre.

The postholder will act as Company Secretary, overseeing governance and compliance, and also serve as the organisation’s Money Laundering Reporting Officer.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, the role contributes to strategic planning and organisational development, as well as supporting VAST’s day-to-day delivery.

What we're looking for

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, etc.)
• Significant experience in financial management and business operations in the VCSE sector.
• Strong leadership and strategic planning skills
• Knowledge of charity finance, governance, and compliance.
• Excellent communication and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to travel locally and work occasional evenings/weekends.

Peters Fraser + Dunlop (PFD) is one of London’s most established and respected literary and talent agencies, representing leading voices across literature, film, television, audio, journalism and digital media. We pride ourselves on nurturing talent, protecting rights, and connecting our clients with the right opportunities in a fast-moving creative landscape.

We are now seeking an exceptional Finance Director to join our Senior Management Team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business.

This is a high-impact leadership role at the heart of a dynamic, creative organisation. Reporting to the CEO, you will oversee all financial and operational functions, provide strategic guidance to the Board, and help drive sustainable growth.

You’ll combine hands-on financial leadership with strategic insight, influencing decision-making at the highest level while ensuring operational excellence across the business.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Finance Leadership

• Lead financial strategy and long-term planning to support business growth
• Provide clear, insightful reporting and advice to the CEO and Board
• Build organisational resilience through robust financial planning and analysis

Financial Operations & Governance

• Oversee all financial operations, controls, compliance and statutory reporting
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and audit processes
• Continuously enhance reporting frameworks and financial systems

Operational Leadership

• Oversee HR, IT, office and facilities management
• Ensure efficient, compliant and high-quality operational support across the organisation
• Drive continuous improvement in systems, processes and services

Royalties & Commercial Insight

• Ensure the royalties function operates with accuracy, transparency and efficiency
• Support income generation through market analysis and commercial evaluation

Governance & Risk

• Develop and maintain risk and opportunity frameworks
• Lead company secretarial responsibilities and ensure regulatory compliance

About You

We’re looking for a commercially minded, strategic thinker who thrives in a fast-paced environment:

• Qualified accountant (UK)
• Proven senior financial leadership experience
• Strong commercial acumen and entrepreneurial mindset
• Excellent analytical skills with the ability to translate data into clear insights
• Confident working at Board level
• Collaborative leader with high emotional intelligence
• Proactive, adaptable and solutions-focused
• Strong communicator and effective negotiator
• Experience improving systems and operational efficiency

This is a rare opportunity to join a leading creative agency and make a meaningful impact at senior level. You’ll play a key role in shaping strategy, driving performance, and supporting world-class talent.

How to Apply

Please send your CV, cover letter and salary expectations via the link.

For an informal conversation about the role please contact our exclusive recruitment partner, Bryony Thomas via the Allen Lane agency website.

We reserve the right to close the process early and so an early application is highly recommended.

Context and Purpose of the Role

After five years of dedicated leadership, GROW’s Managing Director is moving on. We are now seeking an exceptional, values-led leader to guide GROW through the next phase of our 2030 strategy and help realise our ambition to become a movement-shaping force within agroecology.

GROW is entering a pivotal stage of growth. Our focus now is on strengthening team capacity, centring community voice, developing pathways to leadership and employment, deepening hyper-local networks, and contributing more visibly to the agroecology sector.

With strong financial foundations, a committed team, and a long-standing partnership with a progressive secondary school, this is a rare opportunity to lead an organisation uniquely positioned at the intersection of farming, education, and community action.

The Managing Director will provide clear strategic direction and overall leadership, ensuring GROW remains responsibly-governed, financially resilient, and grounded in its agroecological values. Working closely with the Board of Trustees, they will nurture and inspire a multidisciplinary team of 16 employees and freelancers, strengthen key partnerships, and guide the organisation’s continued development and impact.

Job Title: Managing Director
Reports to: Board of Trustees
Salary: £48,000-£53,000 per annum
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full Time, 40 hours per week (9am-5pm with 1-hour paid lunch break)
Location: Hybrid. Minimum 3 days a week on site at The Totteridge Academy, Barnet Lane, N20 8AZ (more days on site expected for the first 3-6 months)
Pension: GROW participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 30% off all GROW Farm produce, annual training budget, subsidised lunches, and a generous holiday allowance of 28 days plus bank holidays.
Probation period: 6 months

GROW is a site-based organisation, and our farm sits at the heart of everything we do. We are looking for a Managing Director who is as comfortable talking with students, volunteers and visitors as they are shaping strategy and leading the organisation’s future. This is a role for a thoughtful, adaptable and hands-on leader who can hold the big picture while staying closely connected to our farm, outdoor programmes and the communities we work alongside.

Leadership at GROW is practical, relational and rooted in place. One day you might be gathering feedback from our Student Board of Advisors, listening to how our programmes are working for the young people who shape them. The next, you might be at the farm stall chatting with local community members selling jars of GROW’s homemade pickles. The Managing Director helps ensure that these everyday moments remain central to the organisation.

The successful candidate will lead a small, committed team of 16 staff, nurturing a culture that is collaborative, knowledgeable and grounded in our values. They will guide GROW’s strategic direction while staying attentive to the daily rhythms of farm and school life that make it a vibrant place for learning, growing and connection. 

Trustees recognise the breadth of this role and are committed to strengthening the organisation’s operational capacity. An early priority for the new Managing Director will be to shape and secure support for an additional capacity-building role that complements their leadership and enables GROW to thrive in the years ahead.

1. Strategy, Governance & Risk

• Provide overall leadership and strategic development of the charity.
• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Trustees quarterly.
• Ensure charity policies and legal guidelines are up to date, clearly communicated, and embedded in everyday culture.
• Ensure statutory filings (e.g. Charity Commission, Companies House) are accurate and timely.
• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant legislation, including charity law, employment law, data protection, health & safety, safeguarding, and environmental regulations.
• Lead on crisis management and serious incident reporting.
• Prepare high-quality written reports for Board and sub-committee meetings.
• Advise Trustees on strategic opportunities, risks, and sector trends. Support Trustee recruitment, induction, and development.
• Enable Trustees to fulfil their governance responsibilities effectively.
• Engage relevant professional expertise where appropriate to support decision making. 

2. Operations, Education & Farm

• Ensure operational resilience, deputising and covering critical functions during staff absence.
• Work closely with Education Leads to develop the quality of our educational
• programmes, ensuring they align with agroecological principles.
• Ensure thorough Risk Assessments are completed, communicated, and
• implemented for all activities and programmes.
• Support the income generation strategy for the Farm.
• Support the Farm Manager with infrastructure development, including planning permission applications.

3. Finance & Fundraising

• Act as the main point of contact for the charity’s accountants.
• Develop and oversee organisational budgets, leading annual budget-setting and ongoing monthly, quarterly, and forecast reviews.
• Develop and deliver the annual income generation and fundraising strategy with the Head of Fundraising.
• Oversee effective impact reporting with the Head of Fundraising.
• Develop and implement plans to improve cost-efficiency.
• Support the completion of large and complex fundraising bids.

4. Partnerships

• Act as the main point of contact for GROW’s key partner, The Totteridge Academy (TTA), and the Academy Trust, United Learning, to ensure the partnership is effective and positive.
• Build and develop partnerships with schools, youth services, local authority, community growing networks and organisations to support the long-term development of educational programmes and participant recruitment and local environmental impact.

5. Marketing & Profile

• Oversee the charity’s overall marketing and communications strategy.
• Retain strategic oversight of all core marketing and communications, including the press opportunities, charity’s website, printed materials, and promotional content, ensuring that GROW’s voice, values, and impact are communicated clearly and consistently.
• Build and enhance the charity’s public profile through events, speaking engagements, and external representation.

6. People, HR & Safeguarding

• Manage and support the team to effectively perform their roles and develop within GROW, ensuring staff are fully trained and confident with organisational policies.
• Lead the recruitment and onboarding of all staff in line with Equality, Diversity & Inclusion and Safeguarding policies, and Safer Recruitment best practice.
• Act as the Designated Safeguarding Lead and ensure compliance with any safeguarding requirements set by partner school, The Totteridge Academy.
• Be rigorously mindful of child safeguarding at all times, embedding safeguarding policies in everyday culture and remain up to date with relevant legislation and training.
• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.
• Develop progressive internal systems, policies, and training that promote a fair, inclusive, and supportive workplace, grounded in our agroecological principles.
• Ensuring the organisation is GDPR compliant and acts as the Data Protection Lead.

7. Values & Culture

• Act as a role model for GROW’s guiding agroecological principles and organisational values in all internal and external relationships.
• Create a supportive, nurturing, high-trust culture in which staff and freelancers can thrive.
• Champion a culture of reflection, evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Centre community voice in decision making, governance, and organisational strategy

Direct reports:
Farm Manager
TTA Education Lead
Senior Facilitator
Head of Fundraising
Freelance Programme Leads

This job description is not exhaustive; as a small and evolving charity, flexibility is essential and all staff are expected to take a hands-on approach and support wider organisational needs where required.
 

Person Specification

Essential Personal Qualities

• Strong alignment with GROW’s mission, agroecological principles, and organisational values.
• Ability to lead and nurture a strong, cohesive, and collaborative team intuitively
• and with empathy.
• Resilient and adaptable.
• Calm under pressure.
• Collaborative by nature and solution-focussed in approach.
• Strong commitment to inclusive working practices and social justice.

Essential Experience

• Significant experience working in a Senior Leadership role within a not-for-profit,
• education, and/or environmental sectors.
• Experience of building and maintaining successful partnership work, for example
• with farms, schools, local authorities, funders, and/or community organisations.
• Significant experience of managing and developing staff and freelancers in a
• small team.
• Proven ability to lead organisational strategy and translate it into operational plans.
• Experience working with, and reporting to, a Board or governing body.
• Experience of financial management, including budgets, forecasting, and working with accountants.
• Track record in contributing to fundraising, including securing major bids.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance, and risk in a regulated environment.
• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth, or community context.
• Understanding of legal, progressive and inclusive HR systems and policies.
• Ability to develop and oversee marketing and communications that clearly articulate organisational mission, build community engagement and support financial sustainability.
• Demonstrable experience handling and reviewing legal documentation, including contracts, leases, and formal agreements.

Essential Skills & Abilities

• Strategic thinker, able to see and drive forward the “big picture” while managing operational detail.
• Skilled and inclusive people manager, able to motivate, develop, and challenge others.
• Excellent, adaptable and confident communication skills.
• Ability to prioritise and manage a broad and competing workload.
• Effective decision-making and ability to work independently with accountability.
• Strong relationship-builder with credibility across diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to lead teams through change and uncertainty.
• Strong organisational and administrative capability.
• Sound judgement and a high level of discretion when handling confidential or sensitive matters.

Desirable

• Experience or knowledge of agroecological farming.
• Experience working with local councils, schools, academy trusts, and authorities.
• Knowledge of charity and regulatory frameworks.
• Knowledge of the local Barnet area.

EVERYONE IS WELCOME

At GROW we’re committed to creating an inclusive workplace. All qualified and eligible applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to gender, gender identity or expression, race, national origin, religion or belief,
disability, age, sexual orientation or pregnancy and maternity. We actively welcome applications from people of all backgrounds and identities, especially those who are under-represented in the charity and food growing sectors. This includes, but is not limited to, people from the global majority, neurodivergent individuals, and those with a range of lived experiences. 

We’re committed to building a team that reflects the diversity of our community and brings a rich mix of perspectives, skills, cultures, and ways of thinking.

Role Purpose

To provide steady financial leadership, ensuring stability, compliance, and continuity during a period of transition. The postholder will maintain strong financial control and reporting, support delivery of agreed structural changes to the finance team and ensure a smooth handover to the incoming post holder.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership and Control

• Maintain strong financial control, reporting and cashflow management.

• Advise CEO and Treasurer on financial stability, risk and reserves.

• Oversee fund management, compliance and key external relationships (auditors, banks, suppliers).

• Responsibility for managing and reviewing financial policies, procedures, standards, systems and processes to guide the charity’s financial decision-making.

• Oversight and administration of the payments & banking process & addressing queries as necessary. Including management of the bank mandate. 

Team Leadership and Development

• Line manage and mentor the Assistant Accountant, maintaining morale, clarity, and professional standards during change. 

Business Planning and Reporting

• Lead the preparation of the FY2026-27 budget, with a focus on three year financial planning. 

• Lead quarterly reforecasting and scenario planning to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and maintain at least three months’ free reserves.

• Prepare clear financial analysis and documentation to support a smooth transition and effective handover. 

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure financial obligations are met on time.

• Maintain documentation to support due diligence, risk management and compliance assurance to the Treasurer. 

Person Specification Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent). Strong record of senior charity or not-for-profit financial management.

• Proven hands-on ability in safeguarding and maintaining financial control, and compliance during organisational change.

• Understanding of SORP, restricted funding, and grant reporting.

• Calm, credible, and pragmatic, able to command confidence of trustees and senior colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience in environmental, research, or education sectors.

• Familiarity with Sage or similar finance systems.

• Experience in change management and business improvement, ideally within a not-for-profit setting. 

Values and Approach

The successful candidate will combine technical strength with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach, ensuring continuity, supporting staff through transition, and handing over a stable, well-functioning Finance team to their successor.

We are looking for a dynamic, values-led, strategic leader to drive our mission for migration justice and social work solidarity. The role entails oversight of the operations and strategy of the organisation, responsibility for financial management and fundraising, maintaining the health of the organisation and embedding anti-racist and anti-opressive values into every aspect of the organisation. 

Social Finance is an ambitious non-profit that designs, funds and scales solutions to complex social problems. Our vision is a fairer world where together we unleash the potential of people and communities. We work with governments, funders, communities and the social sector to tackle some of the most persistent challenges facing society in the UK.

Our multidisciplinary team brings together experience from the public, private and charity sectors. We are known for our collaborative and intellectually curious culture and for delivering systems change, improving how entire systems operate so they produce better, lasting outcomes.

One of our most significant initiatives is IPS Grow, which supports the national expansion of Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services across England. IPS is an evidence-based approach that helps people experiencing severe mental illness, addiction and other health challenges find and sustain competitive employment with tailored support.

IPS Grow works with commissioners, healthcare providers and delivery partners to expand high-quality IPS services, improve quality and learning across the system, and ensure the data and evidence behind IPS continue to demonstrate its impact. Scaling IPS has been a priority for Social Finance since 2015 and continues to be an integral part of our work today.

With IPS Grow transitioning from a fast‑growing initiative to a mature organisation with expanding reach and influence, we are now looking for an experienced Chief Operating Officer to join the IPS Grow and Social Finance Senior Leadership Team.

The COO will provide strategic leadership across IPS Grow’s operational infrastructure, ensuring the organisation has the systems, processes and capabilities required to deliver impact at scale. You will strengthen financial oversight, resource planning and risk management while helping develop IPS Grow’s data and digital capability. The role will also help shape the organisational structures and culture needed to support sustainable growth.

We are looking for a senior operational leader with experience in finance and the non-profit or publicly funded sectors, ideally with a track record of helping organisations scale. You will bring strong financial literacy, sound strategic judgement and the ability to build effective operational frameworks in complex environments.

You will be a collaborative partner across IPS Grow and the wider Social Finance organisation, building trusted relationships, bringing clarity to operational challenges and fostering a strong “one team” culture across a distributed team.

This is an exciting opportunity to help shape the next phase of IPS Grow’s development. If this resonates with you, we would be delighted to hear from you.

To download a full copy of the candidate brief and learn more about the role, please click the ‘Apply’ button, where you will be redirected to the website of our recruitment partner, Tall Roots.

Applications should include a CV and covering letter responding to the following questions:

1. What is motivating you to become our new Chief Operating Officer for IPS Grow? (200 words)
2. Given what you have read about us so far, what do you believe would make an effective Chief Operating Officer for IPS Grow? (200 words)
3. Please describe your experience ensuring an organisation had the right systems, processes or capabilities in place to use data effectively. What was your role and what difference did this make? (250 words)
4. Please tell us about a time when you built strong partnerships across teams or organisations to deliver a shared goal. What approach did you take and what was the outcome? (250 words)