Finance manager jobs in Chelmsford, essex

Salary: £45,215 plus benefits (Our pay philosophy ensures consistency across locations and salaries. The starting salary for this opportunity plus benefits depends on location of the candidate).

The role:

We are recruiting for a values-driven and experienced finance leader to join Mary’s Meals International (MMI) as Senior Finance Manager. Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will provide leadership to the MMI Finance team, ensuring the effective delivery of high-quality financial management, reporting and control across our global movement.

This is a key role within the Finance & Procurement Directorate, supporting an ambitious growth strategy. You will play a central role in strengthening financial stewardship, ensuring robust controls are in place, and promoting value for money across our global network.

In this role, you will combine strategic oversight with hands-on leadership - driving excellence in financial reporting, treasury management, compliance, and continuous improvement of financial systems and processes.

You will:

• Lead and develop the MMI Finance team, fostering a high-performing, collaborative and accountable culture.
• Oversee the production of monthly management accounts, forecasts and trend analysis, providing meaningful financial insight to support decision-making.
• Lead on donor financial reporting and proposal support, ensuring accuracy, consistency and timely delivery.
• Support delivery of the annual budgeting process, including provision of key analytics and oversight of review processes.
• Ensure robust financial control across the organisation, safeguarding the proper and effective use of funds.
• Oversee statutory reporting, audit, treasury, payroll and pension activities, ensuring compliance with UK financial, charity and tax regulations.
• Work closely with National Affiliates and Programme teams to strengthen financial processes, systems and controls across the global network.
• Drive continuous improvement of financial policies, reporting and systems, promoting a consistent and high-quality control environment.

About you

You will be a qualified finance professional (CCAB or equivalent) with substantial post-qualification experience and a strong track record of leading finance teams. Strategic yet pragmatic, you will be comfortable operating at both operational and senior levels - providing clear financial insight, strengthening controls, and supporting organisational growth across a global network.

You will bring significant experience in UK financial reporting (FRS 102), alongside proven experience developing high-performing teams and implementing effective policies, systems, and change initiatives. With strong analytical and conceptual capability, you will translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight. You will also have experience managing auditors, financial institutions, and external service providers, and be able to prioritise effectively, work autonomously, and deliver to deadlines.

Strong communication skills, sound judgement, and cultural sensitivity are essential in building effective relationships across diverse international contexts. Experience within a UK charity or multinational charitable context, including understanding of UK charity reporting (Charities SORP) would be highly desirable.

About us:

Mary’s Meals is a global movement supported by people from all walks of life, united by one goal, that every child receives a nutritious daily meal in a place of education. Today, more than 3 million children will receive Mary’s Meals, changing lives through access to food and education. 

We believe in the innate goodness of people, respect the dignity of every human being and family life, and are committed to good stewardship of the resources entrusted to us. In line with our values, Mary’s Meals is fully committed to a culture of safeguarding. We expect all members of the Mary’s Meals family to share this commitment and to work in the best interests of the communities we serve. Our safe recruitment practices ensure that only those aligned with our high standards join our movement.

Salary advertised is for UK-based candidates. Our salary philosophy ensures consistency across locations where Mary’s Meals operates.

Our Benefits:

• 34 days annual leave (pro-rated for part time working patterns) including bank holidays, increasing by 1 day each completed calendar year, to a maximum of 39 days (+ option to buy another week)
• Flexible working
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Life assurance
• Pension

To apply:

If you are inspired to join our movement and our vision, mission and values resonate with you, we would love to hear from you. To apply, please submit your CV along with a short covering note (no more than one page) outlining why you are a strong fit for this role and why you would like to work for Mary’s Meals International.

Senior Finance Manager - JD

 Closing date for applications is Sunday 22nd March 2026

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

Applicant Privacy Statement

Bring clarity, confidence and control to finance that powers social change.

Are you an experienced charity finance professional who enjoys turning numbers into clear, useful insight? Do you want your work to support an organisation empowering young women to thrive?

You Make It (YMI) is looking for an experienced Freelance Finance Manager to oversee our finance function and ensure strong financial management, reporting and controls across the organisation.

Working closely with our Founder CEO, Treasurer and team, you will play a vital role in maintaining YMI’s financial health, strengthening accountability and ensuring we remain funder-ready as we continue delivering life-changing programmes for young women.

This is an ongoing freelance role (approximately 15 hours per month), designed to sit alongside your other clients or commitments.

About You Make It

You Make It (YMI) is an award-winning East London charity, established in 2011. We empower unemployed / under-employed young working-class, racialised women to succeed in the social, cultural and economic life of London. 

We do this by brokering access to people, knowledge, networks and experiences that inspire confidence, focus and ambition. Our team, partners and supporters are united by a commitment to creating long-term, meaningful change.

Key Details

• Contract: Ongoing freelance (~15 hours per month)

• Day Rate: £250–£350 (inclusive of VAT and expenses), depending on experience and VAT status

• Location: Home-based with occasional London meetings

• Start Date: ASAP

• Reporting to: Founder CEO

• Financial Year End: 31 March

Why Work With Us?

Purpose-Driven Work: Your expertise directly supports life-changing opportunities for young women.

Trusted Autonomy: Work independently while being valued as a strategic partner.

Flexible Working: Primarily remote, with occasional London meetings.

Values-Led Culture: Integrity, equity, kindness and collaboration shape how we work.

How to Apply

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We hope to appoint by 16 March 2026, or sooner.

Make a Difference

Advocacy is a powerful force for change. It allows individuals to have their voices heard and respected when decisions are being made about their health and social care. It raises awareness of people’s rights and entitlements and empowers people to advocate for themselves.

Why Join Us?

• Be part of a values-led, inclusive charity making a real difference to the people we work with.
• Flexible, home-based working with occasional travel and supportive colleagues.
• Opportunities for professional development and growth.
• A culture that values staff wellbeing, innovation, and amplifying voices.

About the Role

We are looking to recruit a permanent Finance Manager to join our busy finance team, working 30-37 hours per week, minimum 30 hours, ideally over a minimum of 4 days, starting salary £31,634 per annum (pro rata).

As Finance Manager, you will:-

· Provide day-to-day operational leadership of the finance team, including supervision, workload coordination, ongoing  staff development and continuous improvement of processes and procedures.

· Act as the main link between the Finance Director and the Finance Team, translating strategic direction into clear, effective delivery.

· Lead month-end processes including the preparation of accurate management accounts, maintaining strong balance sheet control and exercising sound judgement on complex financial issues.

· Oversee income, credit control, cashflow, short-term forecasting and the administration of the finance system, ensuring data integrity, high-quality management information and appropriate escalation of risks or pressures.

· Support audit preparation and liaise with external auditors as required.

· Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to support financial understanding, compliance and the effective resolution of issues.

· Act as the first point of escalation for operational finance issues, escalating to the Finance Director as appropriate.

About You

We need you to bring:

·AAT Level 4 Qualification or significant equivalent finance experience, with responsibility for management accounts, reconciliations and income monitoring.

· Experience coordinating month-end processes and working across multiple income streams, contracts or funding arrangements.

· Strong analytical skills and sound professional judgement, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and identify financial and organisational risk and escalate issues appropriately.

· Experience supervising or supporting others within a finance setting, with a collaborative leadership style and a commitment to continuous improvement.

· Confidence using financial systems and Microsoft Excel at an intermediate to advanced level, alongside a methodical, organised approach to prioritising work.

· A clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to the values of The Advocacy People.

The following attributes are also desirable:-

· Experience working in the voluntary or charitable sector, including knowledge of SORP accounting, year-end accounts and liaison with auditors.

· Experience working with local authority contracts or complex funding environments.

· Part-qualified or fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or equivalent experience.

As this role is home based with occasional travel you will need to have access to use of public transport or own car. Flexibility with working hours, a good mobile signal and broadband service are essential.

We're keen to interview great candidates as soon as possible. Interviews may be held as applications come in, and we reserve the right to close the advert early, so don't wait - apply now! 

We look forward to hearing from you!

Are you a finance manager wanting to make a difference?

Are you passionate about migrant and climate justice?

Do you want to support the largest student network in the country?

If so, come and work wth us!

*** IMPORTANT: HDF will only consider applicants with the existing right to reside and work in the UK. ***

Background

Human Dignity Foundation (HDF) is a private, philanthropic foundation which was established to enable children to live with dignity. In recent years, we have focussed on funding organisations who help protect and safeguard children from sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA). HDF is a spend down foundation which expects to complete the funding of its international partner projects by the end of 2033.

In 2023, HDF updated its strategy to drive the expansion of our portfolio of projects and maximise the foundation’s future impact – to support more children affected by or at risk of CSEA. To support this strategy, HDF is in the process of setting a UK registered charity, which is expected to be operational by end of Q1 2026.

Job Purpose

The Finance and Operations Manager will oversee and support the operations of the UK charity, working closely with the HDF team based in Dublin, to ensure its smooth running and compliance with UK laws and charity regulations.

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

The Finance and Operations Manager role will be dynamic and diverse given the small nature of HDF’s team. The role will be expected to build on the processes, policies and tools already in existence within HDF Switzerland and adapt them to the UK context. Core responsibilities of this role will include:

Finance

•  Process and record payments and other transactions in the accounting system;
• Maintain financial records and prepare monthly management accounts, reconciliations, etc. for review by the Director of Finance and Operations;
• Support payroll processes and liaise with external providers;
• Manage required filings with HMRC as required (expected to be minimal);
• Prepare annual financial statements and coordinate/ support the annual audit/ financial verification of the charity;
• Prepare the annual budget and produce quarterly cashflow forecasts, ensuring timely drawdowns of funds from HDF Switzerland as needed.

Operations & Administration

• Produce and oversee the submission of reports and/or required filings to the Charities Commission and ensure broader compliance with its requirements;
• Produce reports and filings to Companies House as needed, and coordinate with the Company Secretary for their timely submission;
• Maintain the charity’s risk register to ensure risks are appropriately understood and mitigated;
• Produce and update internal policies, procedures and tools (templates to be provided where available);
• Set up and oversee the UK pension scheme, life assurance/ health insurance schemes as required with the relevant providers;
• Support the planning and delivery of meetings of the Board of Trustees and other internal and external meetings as needed;
• Organise travel arrangements for UK based staff(s) and Trustees as needed;
• In time the role may take over Company Secretary duties from our external provider;
• Conduct procurement, liaise with suppliers and manage their contracts as needed;
• Conduct other administrative tasks to support the running of the charity as needed, including but not limited to IT and HR;
• Support the charity’s Executive Chair of Trustees with tasks as may be reasonably required.

Grant Administration

• Support the development and amendment of grant agreements with partners as needed;
• Track and reconcile grant payments against agreements and perform required follow up with grantees as needed;
• Update and maintain HDF’s grant management information and filing system to ensure HDF’s records are accurate and up to date.

Person Specification

Experience

• 5 years’ experience in finance, accounting, office management
• Minimum 2 years’ experience working for a charity/NGO sector

Qualifications and skills

• Part-qualified ACA/ ACCA/ CIMA, or other bookkeeping/ accounting qualification
• Accurate worker with strong numerical skills
• Excellent written, verbal communication and interpersonal skills
• Computer literate – strong Excel, Word skills
• Proficient use of accounting software (e.g. Xero, Sage)
• Good organisational skills, ability to prioritise and meet deadlines
• Ability to work independently and on own initiative

Qualities

• Flexible
• Self-starter and pro-active
• Team player who enjoys working in small team environments

Common values

• Accountability to HDF’s Board and partners
• Innovative, entrepreneurial, and dynamic in our approach
• Openness to admitting our mistakes and learning from them
• Excellence in all that we do
• Passion for our work and mission

Terms & Conditions

• Part-time 3 days a week
• Between £40,000 - £50,000 per annum pro-rata, salary is commensurate with experience
• 25 days of annual leave pro-rata
• Remote, travel to London, Dublin and within Europe may be required
• Pension, provision of health cash plan or equivalent, life assurance, bike scheme