Finance manager jobs

About us

We're a not-for-profit firm of accountants and technical advisors with a shared vision: to see finance and accountancy used as a force for good. Our mission is to resource and empower people and good causes – by providing them with the very best financial and technical support, at a price they can afford.

We believe accountancy is more than numbers and profit. It’s about providing crucial infrastructure and enabling growth. Our services range from bookkeeping and management accounting to strategic planning, data analysis, systems audits, tax advice and process automation. If you’re technically skilled, purpose-driven, and passionate about making finance meaningful, we’d love to hear from you.

About the Role
We’re looking for a proactive and passionate Finance Manager to join our growing team. You’ll work closely with a portfolio of inspiring clients, providing high-quality financial information and insights to help them thrive. You’ll be part of a supportive team of technical practitioners and bookkeepers, contributing to a mission that matters.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, review and deliver high quality financial information to a diverse portfolio of clients

• Explain and interpret financial reports clearly and accessibly to people from a variety of backgrounds

• Review and maintain good accounting systems, policies & practices

• Manage monthly financial cycles, including management accounts, payroll, and VAT returns

• Support clients with budgeting, planning and forecasting  - for day-to-day operations and special projects

• Contribute to the development of our internal finance processes and practices

• Collaborate closely with other team members to deliver excellent client outcomes

What We’re Looking For

• Experience with Xero and/or QuickBooks Online (QBO)

• Strong understanding of financial reporting for charities including Charity SORP

• Excellent communication skills, especially in translating financial concepts for non-financial audiences

• Confidence with Excel and other Microsoft Office tools

• Strong organisational skills and attention to detail

• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines

•  A self-starter who enjoys working in a collaborative environment

• Relevant financial qualification

• Experience in a fast paced or multi-client environment is a bonus

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave (pro-rated), plus bank holidays and Christmas leave

• Commitment to CPD and on the job training

• Flexible working arrangements

• Meaningful work with purpose-led clients

• A supportive and values driven team environment

Global Finance Manager

Contract: Permanent, Full Time – 35 Hours per week.

Location: London, UK.

Hybrid Working: A minimum of 40% (2 days) of working time is spent face to face, either in London office, or as a result of external engagement or travel for WaterAid. WaterAid is located at Canary Wharf, London and this will be your location and contract base. In order to apply for this post, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the UK.

Salary: £57,000 - £63,000 per year with excellent benefits.

Change starts with water. Change starts with you.

Every day, millions of people live without clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid exists to change that – for everyone, everywhere. Join us, and your energy will help unlock people’s potential and create a fairer future.

About WaterAid

We’re a global federation driven by one vision: a world where everyone, everywhere has clean water, sanitation and hygiene by 2030. Powered by our values of Respect, Accountability, Courage, Collaboration, Integrity and Innovation, we work alongside communities, partners and supporters to make change happen.

About the Team

This role sits within the finance function at WaterAid and is based in the UK office. The role works with members across the federation and supports financial planning, reporting and monitoring across the membership of WaterAid. The role collaborates with colleagues across countries and regions in a matrix environment, helping strengthen financial capability and consistency across the membership.

The role works closely with members, Finance Leaders across the federation and the Global Finance Executive (GFE), supporting federation financial planning and reporting processes and consolidated financial reporting at federation level.

About the Role

The Global Financial Manager will be based in the UK office of WaterAid and will focus on federation financial planning and reporting. The role supports financial planning, reporting and monitoring across the membership of WaterAid and contributes to improving financial controls, planning and management reporting across the membership.

The role supports the federation financial planning and reporting process from end to end, including consolidation of financial information, analysis of figures, and preparation of draft narrative for Executive and Board reports. The role also supports the work of the Global Finance Executive (GFE) and supports members in strengthening financial planning and reporting processes.

In this role, you will:

• Lead federation financial planning and reporting
• Facilitate Global Finance Executive (GFE) support
• Provide member support, supporting members with limited finance capacity on key areas such as business planning etc.
• Provide WaterAid international (WAi) finance support
• Champion WaterAid’s commitment to equity, inclusion and safeguarding. 

To be successful, you’ll need:

• Professional accounting qualification (CCAB or CIMA);
• Experience in planning, budgeting and forecasting;
• Demonstrable ability to prioritise and co-ordinate across multiple tasks;
• Experience of working in a strategic support capacity with multiple stakeholders;
• Experience of developing finance capacity and capability;
• Experience in problem solving across teams, organisations and countries in an international/multi-cultural organisation;
• Ability to consolidate and analyse financial information;
• Excellent communication skills, particularly written and with non-finance people;
• Ability to lead and work collaboratively within a matrix team;
• Customer focus attitude and good relationship builder;
• Commitment to WaterAid’s values and a working style that reflects these.
• Ability to work systematically and methodically, managing time effectively.
• Willingness to share expertise and knowledge with others.
• Able to travel for work

Desirable:

• Experience of accounting systems specification, selection and implementation.
• Experience in a managerial/ senior role.
• Working knowledge of multiple accounting systems including SunSystems.
• Experience with using business intelligence tools such as Power BI
• Experience of the voluntary sector

Closing date: Applications will close 12:00 PM UK time on 07 April 2026. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 20th April 2026.

How to Apply: Click Apply to answer the pre-screening questions and upload your CV and cover letter.

Can I use Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in my application?

At WaterAid, we strongly advise against using AI technology at any stage of the recruitment process. Our goal is to ensure a fair and transparent process that provides every applicant with an equal opportunity to succeed. We value hearing about your unique experiences and perspectives in your application, and, if shortlisted, during the interview as well.

Pre‑employment screening

To apply for this role, you must be able to demonstrate your eligibility to work in the respective country. All pre-employment checks will be carried out according to local law and WaterAid’s Safer Recruitment policy. All UK based roles require a basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

UK Benefits:

• 36 days’ holiday (including 8 Bank Holidays)
• Option to buy an extra 5 days’ annual leave
• Employer pension contribution up to 10 %
• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Season ticket loan
• Free annual eye tests
• ‘Give as you Earn’ charitable giving scheme
• Enhanced parental leave (maternity, adoption/surrogacy, shared parental and paternity)
• Sabbaticals
• One paid volunteer day each year

As part of our annual leave policy, all employees receive three additional days of annual leave on top of their standard allocation of 25 days. These days are designated to cover the period when our UK office closes between Christmas and New Year, allowing all UK Water Aiders to take a well-deserved break.

These days are automatically scheduled and cannot be changed or moved. Annual leave is accrued based on your start date. If sufficient leave has not been accrued by the time of the closure, the 3 days will be taken as unpaid leave or pro-rated, depending on your circumstances.

Our Global Commitment:

Our people promise

We will work with passion and focus to make sure everyone everywhere has clean water, decent toilets and good hygiene. WaterAid is a place of purpose – where people have a real commitment and shared responsibility for the impact we have. We are a global community with diverse backgrounds and perspectives, motivated by inspiring, stimulating work. We are determined to be a place where people feel safe and able to contribute their voice and truly live our values.

Equal Opportunities

We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, beliefs, customs, traditions, ways of life and status. This includes, but is not limited to, race, ethnicity, caste, colour, gender, language, religion, political or other opinion, national or social origin, property, birth, disability status, neurodiversity, age, marital and family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, health status, place of residence, economic and social situation.

Safeguarding

We are committed to protecting everyone we come into contact with. We have a zero- tolerance approach to abuse of power, privilege or trust across our global work, and to any form of inappropriate behaviour, discrimination, abuse, bullying, harassment, or exploitation. Safeguarding the people and communities we work with, our staff, volunteers and anyone working on our behalf is our top priority, and we take our responsibilities extremely seriously. All offers of employment are subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks (which can include counterterrorism, safeguarding and criminal records checks).

Together, we’ll change the world through water.

Join us and be part of the change!

Role summary

Are you a forward-thinking finance professional who wants to use your skills to change lives? Are you highly motivated, organised with an eye for detail? Do you enjoy responsibility and working with figures, solving problems and completing tasks to a high standard?

Help empower a global community by leading finance at Shift.ms and its trading subsidiary, realworld ms. We’re looking for a highly organised and self motivated Finance Manager to support its growth ambitions. Reporting directly to the CEO and Head of Operations, you’ll turn figures into insights, helping us solve problems and shape the long-term strategy that allows us to support more MSers than ever before.

Location: Remote position based in the UK. Monthly travel to Leeds is required.

Why Shift.ms?
Shift.ms, the social network for people with MS (MSers), launched in 2009. Founded by MSers, for MSers, the charity supports many thousands of recently diagnosed people across the world as they make sense of MS. Shift.ms has an engaged, global community of over 80,000 members, driven by people with MS. From diagnosis, MSers join to connect with others, get the support they need, and together, learn to proactively manage their MS. 

realworld ms was founded in 2024, realworld ms operates as the industry-facing subsidiary of Shift.ms. realworld ms enables MS stakeholders to draw on real-world evidence to develop products, treatments and services that meet today’s MSer needs.

What we expect from you

Working alongside the Head of Operations, CEO and department heads, your responsibilities will cover Shift.ms and its wholly owned subsidiary, realworld ms ltd, as follows:

Financial management

• Be the primary point of contact for our Treasurer, Accountant and External Auditor;

• Review and constantly improve processes and internal controls for finance;

• Lead the development of annual budgets and shorter/longer term forecasts as needed;

• Manage accounting, budget and cash flow, and working with the CEO, develop cost reduction strategies as needed;

• Prepare monthly management accounts incorporating variance analysis of budgets vs. actuals and headline narrative;

• Manage monthly payroll with an external payroll provider;

• Draft consolidated statutory accounts for audit and lead the coordination of year-end audit;

• Prepare quarterly VAT returns for the Group and be the main point of contact for HMRC;

• Make recommendations for corporate gift aid donations based on performance and future forecasts for the subsidiary;

• Present finance updates in-person at quarterly board meetings normally held in London;

• Manage and lead FinCom meetings, typically held quarterly;

• Attend the trustee annual away weekend.

Bookkeeping 

• Lead the financial operations of the charity including recording transactions onto the finance system (Quickbooks), managing cashflow, invoicing, accounts payable/receivable, processing of purchase invoices and supplier payments;

• Complete month end reconciliations as part of the preparation of monthly management accounts;

• Track, calculate and process intercompany recharges to ensure costs sit within the correct entity;

• Track and ensure correct treatment and reporting of restricted/unrestricted funds;

• Process employee, volunteer & trustee expense claims;

• Manage the relationship with an external payroll bureau, liaising with them to ensure payroll is processed accurately and paid on time;

• Support employee onboarding including obtaining details for payroll and pre employment checks.

Other 

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders on projects and reporting; 

• Track income receipts and projections for weekly income generation calls with heads of department;

• Process gift aid claims;

• Renew insurances.

Qualifications, skills and abilities (E= Essential D = Desirable)

• Be part or fully qualified with a professional accounting qualification ACCA, CIMA or ACA, with at least 2-3 years post qualification experience. (E)

• Employment history in a charity/3rd sector role (D)

• Good understanding of charity reporting requirements and Charity SORP (E) especially the technical application of income recognition requirements for the charity and its subsidiary

• Experience of VAT reporting (E) including an understanding of VAT recovery with respect to business and non business for charities, place of supply (overseas transactions)

• Experience in developing organisational budgets/forecasts (D)

• Good analytical and communication skills (E)

• Strong organisational, time management, and prioritisation skills (E)

• Excellent attention to detail (E)

• Excel and google sheets to at least intermediate standard. (E) 

• Experience of accounting software packages (E) (Experience with Quickbooks (D))

• Comfortable operating in a change environment (D)

• Awareness of confidentiality and the need to comply by the UK GDPR (E)

We're an equal opportunity employer. We’re looking for the best candidate based on the value they can add. Our culture is hugely important to us and we welcome applicants of all race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability status. We encourage all candidates who believe they have the required qualifications and experience to apply. 

Other information

Hours: 22.5 hours a week

Salary: £40,000-45,000 per year FTE dependent on relevant expertise

Annual Leave: 25 days per annum (leave entitlement is pro rated for days worked), plus public holidays and 3 days between Christmas and New Year.

Employee benefits: Generous life assurance and pension schemes, committed learning and development budget for each staff member, flexible working.

The role closes on midnight on Friday 3 April but we will be conducting rolling interviews.

#finance #finance planning #accountant #accounting #finance manager #finance strategy

Location:  Bali
Employment Type: Full-Time

A non-profit animal welfare organisation in Bali, with a team of approximately 70 staff and multiple operational programs, is seeking an experienced Finance Manager to lead and strengthen our financial management and administrative systems.

About the Role

The Finance Manager is responsible for overseeing all financial operations of the organisation, ensuring strong financial integrity, compliance, and transparency. This is a hands-on leadership role that requires both experienced oversight and operational involvement.

The successful candidate will manage the finance and co-ordinate with the administration teams, work closely with external tax advisors and auditors, and ensure that the organisation maintains the highest standards of financial accountability to donors, partners, and regulatory authorities.

Living and working in Bali is required. 
 

Key Responsibilities

Accounting & Team Leadership

• Lead and mentor the finance team, ensuring clear processes.
• Ensure all income and expenditures are accurately coded and allocated to the correct projects, departments, and donor funds.
• Oversee financial data management and ensure accurate accounting across multiple accounts and programs.
• Support the development and strengthening of financial systems and procedures.

Financial Reporting & Budgeting

• Prepare regular financial reports and statements for organisational leadership.
• Monitor program budgets and track expenditure against approved budgets.
• Support organisational management and leadership with financial planning and program budgeting.

Controls, Compliance & Risk Management

• Implement and monitor  internal financial controls to safeguard organisational assets and prevent errors.
• Ensure full compliance with Indonesian tax regulations, labour laws, and international NGO reporting standards.
• Lead preparation for internal and external audits, maintaining high levels of financial transparency and accountability.
• Work closely with external tax consultants and auditors to ensure all reporting obligations are met.

Financial Operations & Procurement

• Oversee organisational banking operations

Salary and benefits commensurate with experience

About the Applicant

Essential Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 8 years of experience in finance or financial management
• Experience managing teams and supervising staff
• Strong knowledge of accounting systems, financial reporting, and internal controls
• Experience working with multiple budgets, programs, and funding streams
• Experience preparing for audits and working with external auditors
• Excellent data management and analytical skills
• Comfortable navigating local financial systems and administrative processes in Indonesia

Personal Attributes

• Detail-oriented with a strong focus on accuracy
• Proactive and resourceful in solving financial challenges
• A hands-on team leader who can balance strategic oversight with operational execution
• Willingness to work in a small NGO vs a large corporate structure.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief cover letter explaining why you are an ideal fit for this position and please include salary history and requirement.  Please note this is an in-office position in Bali, Indonesia. 

Are you a dynamic finance professional who thrives in a fast-paced, evolving environment?

Goodman Masson are partnered with a prestigious London based organisation to recruit for a Finance Manager. This is a pivotal role for someone who excels at balancing high-level strategic objectives with meticulous attention to detail. You will lead on all month-end processes and ensure the integrity of financial statements during an exciting period of organisational growth and change.

You will ideally be ACA qualified from an audit background; however other backgrounds will also be considered. You will need to be comfortable rolling your sleeves up in a fast-paced environment, as well as dealing with multiple stakeholders at executive level.

The Role:

As Finance Manager, you will report directly to the Financial Controller and oversee the daily operations of the financial service function. You will be responsible for delivering accurate statutory accounts and maintaining robust internal controls.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and coordinate the closing process to ensure all entries are posted accurately and on time.
• Oversee accounts payable, receivable, and bank processes, ensuring seamless transaction processing.
• Monitor cash flow, review forecasts, and optimise liquidity.
• Support annual audit processes by liaising with external auditors and ensuring full compliance.
• Utilise accounting system to manage nominal codes and trial balances, while overseeing fixed assets, accruals, and prepayments.
• Foster a collaborative work environment and provide mentorship to the finance team.

Essentials:

• Fully Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting and audit expeirence.
• Ability to work under pressure in fast paced environments.
• Experience improving processes and controls.

Salary is up to £65,000 per annum + Benefits.

Central London based with hybrid working.

Applications are being reviewed on a rolling basis, with interviews being set up immediately. Please apply ASAP to ensure you are considered.

Storyhouse is seeking a Finance Manager to support the smooth, accurate and high‑quality running of our financial operations. Working closely with the Head of Finance, you’ll oversee day‑to‑day accounting processes, maintain robust systems, and guide a small team to deliver consistent, detail‑driven work. You’ll collaborate across departments to strengthen financial understanding and ensure timely reporting that underpins our artistic, community and organisational ambitions. This role plays an important part in supporting Storyhouse’s resilience and contributing to the vibrant, community‑centred organisation we are proud to be.

About Us

Social Care in Action (SCA Care) provides high-quality Home Care, Live-in Care, Day Care, Extra Care, and Specialist Care services across Hampshire. Our mission is to empower people to live their best lives through compassionate, professional, and personalised support. Everything we do is rooted in our values. The Finance Manager will:

• Put people at the centre of financial decision-making
• Act with integrity, accountability and transparency
• Collaborate across teams to make a real difference
• Aim high, lead by example and drive continuous improvement

About the Role

This is critical role within the organisation, supporting essential services for people and communities. It is a senior operational finance role with responsibility for day-to-day financial management, robust controls, accurate reporting and compliance. You will work closely with the Payroll Manager, our Executive Management Team and Operational Managers  providing trusted financial insight that supports informed decision-making and service delivery.

You will also lead and develop our finance team, ensuring purchase ledger and sales ledger activities are accurate, efficient and well controlled.

About You

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical finance skills with a collaborative, people-centred approach.You will have strong technical finance skills and proven experience in a Finance Manager or Management Accountant role. 

You will also have:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent), or be willing to work towards one
• Strong financial reporting, analysis and control experience
• Experience preparing audit or statutory accounts
• Experience of implementing and embedding new financial systems
• Excellent attention to detail and high levels of accuracy
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with financial systems
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues
• The confidence to challenge, escalate risks and maintain high standards of governance

It would be an advantage if you also have

• Experience in health, social care or another regulated environment
• Experience working in the charity or not-for-profit sector

If this sounds like the role for you, please go to our website for more information. To apply you will need to submit a CV and cover letter, explaining in no more than two sides of A4 why you feel this is the right role for you and how you meet the person specification.

We look forward to hearing from you!

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 5th April 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.

Finance Manager at Reading Students’ Union 

Location: University of Reading, Whiteknights Campus, Reading, Berkshire 

Salary: £ 36,596 - £45,653 depending on experience

Contract: Permanent - Full time, 35 hours a week which can be condensed into 4 days

A role where you can innovate and make a real impact!  

About Reading Students’ Union 

We are a dynamic, student-focused organisation dedicated to empowering students and enhancing their university experience. Our vision is to be a place for everyone; we inspire and empower students to change the world. Check out our exciting new strategy.

The Role: Finance Manager 

As Finance Manager, you will be at the heart of Reading Students’ Union’s Finance team, providing senior operational leadership and expert financial support to ensure the Union operates efficiently, transparently, and in line with its charitable purpose, values, and legal obligations. 

You will be the trusted expert on the Union’s finances. You will be overseeing management accounts, statutory accounts, payroll, and financial systems and will be a key business partner to senior leaders, budget holders, and elected student officers. Working closely with the Director of Finance, you will help build a strong culture of effective financial management across both charitable and commercial activities, ensuring financial decisions always reflect our mission, vision, values, and ethics. 

You will be the line-manager of the Finance team, drive continuous improvement, support strategic delivery, and confidently deputise for the Director of Finance when required. 

What you’ll do:  

Financial Reporting & Data-Driven Insight 

• Ensure the accuracy and timeliness of all key financial reports to support informed decision-making. 
• Prepare monthly management accounts and annual final accounts. 
• Design, maintain, and analyse KPI reports to monitor financial health and operational efficiency. 
• Respond promptly and accurately to requests for financial data and insights, including Board reports. 

Financial Planning & Business Partnering 

• Collaborate with the Director of Finance to develop and implement long-term financial planning aligned with strategic objectives. 
• Act as a trusted partner for commercial strategy, providing insights on income generation and subsidiary operations. 
• Support annual budgeting and reforecasting processes, ensuring robust financial oversight. 

Operational Finance Management 

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including invoice processing, payment runs, journal preparation, and reconciliations. 
• Manage cash flow and reserves to ensure financial stability. 
• Maintain aged debtor and creditor records and reconcile balance sheet accounts (prepayments, accruals, PAYE, NIC, payroll control). 

Systems, Controls & Compliance 

• Control the operation of the SU’s accounting system and ensure completion of month-end and year-end procedures. 
• Oversee payroll processing, ensuring accuracy and timeliness. 
• Develop and maintain accessible financial procedures aligned with best practice and audit recommendations. 
• Ensure compliance with financial legislation, governance frameworks, and statutory reporting requirements (VAT returns, Charity Commission, Companies House, HMRC). 

Risk, Governance & Assurance

• Maintain an accurate and live risk register in collaboration with the Director of Finance. 
• Implement robust internal financial controls across the organisation. 
• Support the Finance & Risk Committee and ensure adequate insurance coverage and asset management. 
• Work confidently within governance frameworks, providing assurance to senior leaders and Trustees. 

Leadership & Collaboration 

• Line-manage the Finance team, fostering a culture of accountability and high performance. 
• Provide training and guidance on financial processes and best practices. 
• Build strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners, including auditors and insurers. 

About You  

Essential 

• AAT qualified or part‑qualified accountant (or willing to work towards). 
• Significant experience as a Finance Manager or in a senior finance role.
• Advanced Excel skills (creating data, analysing data, manipulating data)
• Strong numerical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills. 
• Organised, adaptable, and able to manage competing priorities in a busy and fast-paced environment. 
• Excellent communicator, confident in explaining financial information to non‑finance colleagues. 
• Confident people manager with the ability to coach, mentor, and develop others. 
• Passionate about using financial insight to support effective decision‑making. 
• Evidence of ongoing CPD or professional development. 
• Proven experience in: 
  • Producing monthly management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and cash flow reports. 
  • Managing day‑to‑day finance operations, including invoicing, payments, reconciliations, and payroll. 
  • Business partnering with budget holders and senior leaders. 
  • Leading the development of financial processes and controls to strengthen governance, efficiency, and effectiveness. 
  • Working within governance frameworks and applying good financial controls. 
  • Building strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external partners. 

Desirable: 

• Experience working in a charity, education, or student-focused environment. 
• Knowledge of charity VAT requirements and governance frameworks. 
• Experience supporting Boards, Trustees, or Finance & Risk Committees. 
• Knowledge of EPOS, stock control, or electronic payment systems. 

Why Join Us? 

• Inclusive and supportive team culture 
• Flexible working options 
• 35 days annual leave including Christmas and Easter closure days 
• Professional development opportunities 
• Unique working environment in the heart of a vibrant Student’s Union, set on a stunning, green campus. 

Ready to make bold change happen? Ready to lead the way?  

Join us and help shape the future of student life at Reading Students’ Union. 

Committed to equality, celebrating diversity, and embedding sustainability—building an inclusive workplace and a brighter future for all.