Finance controller jobs in Bristol, city of bristol
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About us
We are a long-established UK research institution with charitable status and accounting operations in both the UK and East Africa. With an annual turnover of over £1 million, our finances span two entities and a range of restricted and unrestricted funds, consolidated for reporting. We are looking for a qualified accountant to join us as a contractor in a part-time, ongoing capacity to strengthen the running of our finance function.
The role
Our accountant in the East Africa office handles the day-to-day transactions — raising invoices, recording expenses and paying supplier bills. You will work alongside them, providing the qualified oversight, payment control and monthly discipline that keep the finance function running well, and supporting their development along the way.
It is a varied role that combines hands-on accuracy with oversight and coaching. In practice, you will:
• Support, guide and coach our accountant so that accounting entries are made correctly and consistently, building their skills over time.
• Run payment preparation and approval process in the UK entity, approving payment runs for release by local signatories.
• Financial management of project funds: accounting, expense management, funds transfers and accurate financial reporting.
• Review monthly results and report, examining the Statement of Financial Activities and underlying entries, and tracking performance against budget.
• Own the budgeting process, maintaining and updating the existing annual budget and monitoring it each month, and reporting quarterly to funders.
• Run a reliable monthly close and provide cover for our accountant during leave or absence to keep the accounting running.
• Lead on risk, taking an active interest in risk assessment, management and internal financial controls, working with compliance officer for local regulatory compliance.
• Attend and co-ordinate the finance and development meeting, support Companies House and Charity Commissions returns and updates.
• Administrative support for grant applications and management of these.
Key requirements
• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CIPFA), or a finalist with strong relevant experience.
• Right to work in the UK.
• Proficient in Xero, and either proficient in Joiin or a similar consolidation system such as Hyperion and able to learn it quickly. Familiarity with payment platforms (desirable).
• Sound understanding of payment controls, dual authorisation and segregation of duties.
• Experience of maintaining a budget and reviewing monthly performance against it.
• Detail-focused and hands-on, with the judgement to review, oversee and coach a colleague.
• Charity or non-profit experience is useful but not essential, including experience of managing project funds, expenses and reporting to funders.
What does success look like
In this role, success means:
• Accounting is accurate and correctly recorded across both entities.
• Monthly review and reporting is completed reliably and on time.
• The budget process is mastered and embedded in monthly reporting, with performance tracked against budget categories.
• Dual authorisation of key processes is operating successfully.
• Key processes in both entities are learnt, so you can cover for the East Africa accountant in the event of absence.
• The payment process is smooth, reviewed, and presented to the Director for second approval.
• Risk assessment is formalised and internal financial controls are maintained.
Who it suits
This role would suit an accountant who wants to broaden their range of experience, or an experienced accountant from the commercial or non-profit sector who now wishes to work part-time and contribute to the smooth running of a respected institution.
Our systems
We use Xero for our accounting and Joiin for consolidated reporting. Both are already implemented and stable. Proficiency in Joiin is ideal; otherwise, experience of a similar system and a readiness to learn this software quickly is an advantage.
How to apply
Please send your CV with a short covering note explaining your interest and how your experience fits the key requirements above. We will review applications on a rolling basis and may close early if we find the right candidate.
Thank you!
Location: Bristol office, hybrid (minimum three days a week onsite)
Salary: £50,285 per annum
Job Type: Fixed term maternity cover, approximately 15 months. Minimum 30 hours a week, up to full time (37.5 hours)
The role:
This role covers the current post-holder's maternity leave for an anticipated 15 months. As Financial Controller you will lead CSE's finance team, directing and overseeing the finance function in compliance with appropriate accounting standards and practices, company and charity law.
You will provide timely, accurate financial and management information to support strategic decision-making and effective budgetary control by our Senior Leadership Team, Trustees, project managers and other budget holders. You will line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant and be a member of CSE's Senior Management Team.
Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, you will work alongside the wider Operations Team to provide operational support that underpins delivery of our charitable mission. This is a fast-paced role and we need someone who can get up to speed with minimal delay.
Specific responsibilities
An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:
- Take responsibility for day-to-day accounting, invoicing, payroll, VAT returns, payments and banking, credit control and cash management, including timely monthly management accounts.
- Line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant.
- Co-ordinate the annual budget cycle and mid-year budget refresh alongside the Director of Finance & Operations and SLT.
- Attend monthly SMT meetings to share the previous month's financial results and handle related queries.
- Prepare accurate, accessible reports on organisational, team, staff and project financial indicators to support timely decision-making.
- Maintain the organisation's financial records to appropriate accounting standards and prepare documentation for the annual audit and other statutory reporting.
- Liaise with CSE's auditors to enable an effective and timely annual audit.
- Support project managers to plan and manage project budgets, providing financial data for reporting to clients and funders.
- Provide expertise on financial costing and monitoring approaches for new project funding proposals, reflecting funder requirements.
- Provide finance support to Retrofit West CIC, including financial reporting, statutory obligations and payroll as required.
To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.
About you:
Essential attributes for this role include:
- Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or equivalent accountant.
- At least seven years' post-qualification experience, including at least five years in a financial management role.
- Working knowledge of accounting standards, VAT and HMRC regulations in England, including requirements applicable to a UK charity with a trading subsidiary.
- Experience of leading the preparation for an annual audit.
- Experience of preparing routine financial and management information reports for senior executives and staff.
- Experience of using timesheet software to track allocation of staff time to different cost centres.
- High level competence with Sage accounting software and MS Excel.
- Able to analyse, structure and sense-check financial data to produce clear, informative reports, with excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven management skills.
- Self-motivated and organised, able to work with limited supervision and manage conflicting priorities.
Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.
Benefits:
CSE offer a range of other benefits including:
- You will be entitled to 25 days' paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
- Company pension scheme with 8% employer and 6% employee contributions
- Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Health Cash plan
- Retail discounts
- Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
- We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
- We are flexible with working hours and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.
How to apply
To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email (available in the candidate pack). Your application should demonstrate your suitability against the criteria in the person specification and job description. CVs and supporting letters will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is 5pm on Monday 7 September 2026.
First interviews are expected online on w/c 14 September 2026, with final panel interviews at our Bristol office on w/c 21 September September 2026. The earliest start date is early October 2026.
This role requires a basic DBS check. If invited to interview, we will ask for evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our mission is to support people and organisations across the UK to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.