Financial accountant jobs in City of london, england

Head of Finance

Reports to: Director of Finance, Data and Innovation

Line reports: 2

Location: London, hybrid working, with minimum 40% of working time in the office

Salary: London £54,000 (salary band £54,000 - £58000; Outside London £51,500 (salary band £51,500 to £55,500)

Hours: 37.5 hours per week

Contract: Permanent

The Head of Finance will lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring our financial information is accurate, timely and useful. The role will oversee financial reporting, controls, compliance, payroll, budgeting and forecasting, while managing and developing the finance team. The postholder will work closely with budget holders and senior leaders to support good financial decision-making across the organisation. The role will also provide oversight of key operational areas, including premises, health and safety, equipment and outsourced technology support.

In the first 6–12 months, the postholder will be expected to strengthen monthly reporting, improve budget holder support, maintain clear financial controls, support the annual audit and help embed effective finance processes across the organisation.

Financial responsibilities

· Ensure that all financial data is accurately recorded, maintained and reported in accordance with relevant accounting standards and guidelines

· Ensure compliance with relevant financial, tax and statutory obligations, including VAT, PAYE and other reporting requirements

· Lead financial business partnering across the organisation, ensuring budget holders have the knowledge, skills and tools to manage their budgets effectively. This will include:

• • Running effective budgeting and forecasting processes to ensure the organisation has a robust plan
  • Producing monthly management accounts with useful variance analysis to ensure proper financial management

· Alongside the Director of Finance, develop and maintain financial controls to safeguard the charity’s assets, ensuring clear processes are in place and control checks are documented

· Take full management responsibility for the finance team, lead, motivate and develop them to ensure that they are focused, competent and working effectively and efficiently

· Maintain clear review and approval processes so that financial work is properly checked, authorised and documented

· Oversee finance processes for the trading subsidiary, including reviewing postings, accounts and consolidation entries

· Produce or review monthly payroll amounts and postings

· Lead preparation for the annual audit and statutory accounts, ensuring working papers, reconciliations and supporting evidence are complete and accurate

· Ensure restricted funds, grants and project income are recorded, monitored and reported accurately

Operations

· Ensure premises and properties are managed appropriately on a day-to-day basis

· Ensure we comply with H&S standards in our multiple offices

· Ensure the organisation has the resources it needs to do their job through the procurement/ provision of laptops and other equipment

· Work with colleagues to ensure we comply with GDPR

Person specification: Skill / experience 

Essential

A demonstrable interest and commitment to working with, and supporting people from, a refugee background

Financial and Operational Responsibilities

Strong management accounting experience, including business partnering with budget holders to support good decision-making

Good understanding of UK charity accounting, including charity SORP, audit and year-end reporting

Professional accounting qualification or substantial relevant accounting experience

Management experience and ability to support and develop line reports in a welcoming and inclusive environment 

Understanding of key compliance areas relevant to charity finance and operations, including VAT, Gift Aid, PAYE, P11D and GDPR

Good understanding of charity controls and risk management

Advanced Microsoft Excel skills, strong experience using finance systems (we currently use Xledger) and an interest in AI

Experience of charity fund accounting, including restricted funds and grant reporting

Experience of managing/supporting in the management of outsourced technology providers 

Personal Traits

Able to improve processes and deliver practical changes that make finance easier to use across the organisation

Able to manage competing priorities and maintain high standards during busy periods

Self-motivated, organised and able to deliver agreed outcomes on time

Analytical thinker with good problem-solving skills

Practical, flexible and willing to support both strategic and day-to-day finance work

Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to articulate complex information to different audiences

Strong interpersonal and collaboration skills, with the ability to form effective working relationships with other teams

Desirable

Committed to continuous improvement and the use of agile tools to support business change

Considerations 

· As part of our safeguarding commitment to our clients, we carry out pre-employment checks to ensure that successful applicants are suitable to work with adults at risk. These include basic DBS checks for some roles, obtaining references and verifying a candidate’s identity and right to work in the UK.

· We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, sex, sexual orientation, marriage and civil partnership status, pregnancy and maternity status, race, religion or belief.

Breaking Barriers is committed to protecting an adult’s right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and for their views, wishes and beliefs to be fully considered when deciding action. 

We are looking for a Finance Manager to join the staff team at Godalming Minster, an active church across 4 locations in Godalming.  It comprises 3 listed church buildings, a community centre and a worshipping community which runs activities to support groups and individuals locally, and focuses on making a positive impact.

This is a new role in the finance team, to support the growing remit of the Minster's facilities and initiatives.  Working alongside staff and volunteers who lead youth and children's work, groups for older people, hearing aid clinics, pastoral care, a community cafe and a foodbank, we need a strong communicator who is highly organised - a great team player in a lively organisation.

The scope of the role includes routine financial oversight including aspects of management and statutory accounting, budgeting, VAT, Gift Aid, payroll and audit.

Part-time 23 hours per week.  Salary £24,500 - £27,500 per year (FTE £40,000 to £45,000).

This is far more than a traditional Finance Manager position.

As Finance Manager, you'll lead the day-to-day finance function while helping shape the future of financial management at British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS). Reporting to the Director of Business Operations and leading our Finance Assistant, you'll be responsible for delivering high-quality management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and financial reporting that enables informed decision-making across the organisation.

Alongside ensuring excellent financial governance and control, you'll have the opportunity to modernise and transform the finance function. From improving management information and financial processes to leading the redesign of our purchase-to-pay process and supporting wider digital transformation, you'll play a key role in ensuring finance helps deliver our ambitious Strategy 2030.

We're looking for a fully qualified CIMA/CGMA accountant who combines strong management accounting expertise with a passion for continuous improvement. You'll enjoy working collaboratively with colleagues across the organisation, translating financial information into meaningful insight, challenging assumptions, and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen financial sustainability and maximise the value of BUCS' financial resources.

If you're excited by the opportunity to build, influence and make a lasting impact within a values-led organisation that supports student sport across the UK, we'd love to hear from you.

Working at BUCS

BUCS prides itself on being an ambitious and challenging place to work, where staff enjoy work, embrace development opportunities, and have fun.

Benefits include:

• Generous Pension Scheme
• Paid Health Care Plan
• Tax-free - Cycle to work scheme
• Christmas Closure 
• Volunteering Day leave
• Flexible - hybrid working
• Wellbeing and Social activities
• Company-supported Learning and Development opportunities

How to Apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Applied.

This will take you to the BeApplied platform which we use for our recruitment. 

Should you have any questions about the role, please contact Jude Edwards, Director of Business Operations.

Application deadline: 

13th August 2026, 22:00

Interview Information:

If successful candidate will be called to interview on the provisional date of 26th or 27th August 2026.

Candidates who successfully advance to the interview stage will receive further information about logistics and tasks via email. Some candidates may process to a second interview, which will be communicated accordingly. If any reasonable adjustments are required, please communicate them when accepting the interview offer.

Due to the expected high number of applications, it is likely we will only be able to provide feedback to those who reach the interview stage. If you don’t hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that, unfortunately, your application has not been successful. 

Applicants should have the right to work in the UK and will be asked to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK before employment is confirmed. 

Data Protection Statement

Any personal data submitted to BUCS in the course of this recruitment process will be held securely and processed solely for the purposes of recruitment. It will be held for the duration of the recruitment process, and if employed by BUCS, for the duration of the contract of employment and to fulfil the statutory, or recommended, retention periods when no longer an employee of British Universities and Colleges Sport. BUCS will comply with data protection legislation at all times and in line with BUCS Privacy Policy.

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell to recruit a Finance Manager on a permanent, part-time basis (21 hours per week). This is an outstanding opportunity to join a globally respected charity at an exciting point in its evolution, taking ownership of core finance operations whilst helping strengthen the financial foundations of an organisation that empowers millions of young people across the world.

Joining during a period of positive organisational change, the Finance Manager will play a key role in a finance function that is evolving beyond traditional reporting to provide greater insight and support across the organisation and its global network of Award Operators. Working closely with the Head of Finance and Business Information, you'll have genuine ownership of the month-end process, lead a small finance team and drive continuous improvements, while also having opportunities to contribute to wider organisational initiatives that directly support young people around the world.

The organisation:

The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a global non-formal education and learning framework that empowers 14–24-year-olds to develop their purpose, passion and place in the world. Delivered across more than 130 countries and territories, the International Award Foundation works with partners around the world to ensure every eligible young person can take part through licensing and accreditation, global advocacy, research, training, fundraising and supporting digital transformation across the Award family.

The key duties of the Finance Manager are as follows:

• Lead the day-to-day operational delivery of the finance function, ensuring accurate financial processing, strong internal controls and the consistent application of finance policies and procedures.
• Take ownership of the operational month-end close process, coordinating timelines, reviewing ledger postings and ensuring high-quality balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage and develop the Finance Officer and Credit Controller, providing regular coaching, support and clear direction to help them deliver to a high standard.
• Oversee all transactional finance activities, including purchase and sales ledger, payments, receipts, VAT accounting and Gift Aid submissions.
• Prepare accurate management accounts and work closely with the Head of Finance and Business Information to ensure financial data supports effective decision-making.
• Maintain audit-ready finance operations, ensuring robust documentation, clear audit trails and effective responses to audit queries.
• Drive continuous improvement across finance operations, systems and workflows to strengthen efficiency, resilience and financial control.
• Support budgeting, reforecasting and financial planning, whilst assisting with year-end financial statements, cashflow forecasting and wider finance projects.

The successful candidate will have:

• Experience within financial accounting or finance operations, including ownership of month-end processes and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Exposure to VAT, with charity VAT experience advantageous but not essential.
• Experience supervising or supporting colleagues, or the confidence and desire to step into your first formal people management role.
• A proactive mindset with the ability to identify opportunities to improve finance processes and systems.
• Previous experience within the charity or wider not-for-profit sector would be advantageous.
• Qualified as an accountant, or be in the latter stages of study.

This is a permanent, part-time opportunity working 21 hours per week, with flexibility to spread these across either three full days or shorter hours across the week. The role is based in London, operating on a hybrid basis.

Applications close on Sunday 23^rd August, with first-stage interviews expected to take place during the week commencing 31^st August. Robertson Bell is managing this recruitment campaign exclusively on behalf of The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award Foundation, so please submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

An organisation providing specialist support to the not-for-profit sector is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to join its team.

The Head of Finance will take responsibility for a broad range of financial management activities, working closely with senior stakeholders to provide high-quality financial information, analysis and advice. The role combines strategic financial planning with oversight of core financial reporting and control processes.

Key responsibilities include:
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes across a complex, multi-entity international environment
• Develop financial models and scenario analysis to support organisational planning
• Oversee monthly management reporting, including analysis of performance against budget
• Manage year-end financial processes and coordinate with external auditors
• Provide financial insight and advice to senior stakeholders to support effective decision-making
• Oversee financial management and reporting requirements associated with externally funded activities
• Support the continued development of financial processes, controls and reporting

About You
• Fully qualified accountant (CCAB or equivalent)
• Experience within the charity, not-for-profit or a similarly complex environment would be advantageous
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling experience
• Experience overseeing management accounts and year-end processes

The role is mostly remote with occasional travel required for on-site meetings.
Given the international nature of the role, some flexibility around working hours may occasionally be required

Finance Manager
Permanent | 0.6 FTE (3 days/week ) | Hybrid – 1 day/week in office in central London | £33,000pa (0.6 FTE) — pro-rata equivalent £55,000 + 8% pension contribution.

Benefits include: 25 days annual leave (FTE, pro rata), rising after two years' service, plus bank holidays and additional leave between Christmas and New Year.

Following a significant increase in funding across our national programmes, the Architectural Heritage Fund is seeking a hands-on, fully qualified Finance Manager (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) to help us scale sustainably and to provide support to the organisation in delivering its mission of helping create sustainable futures for historic buildings throughout the UK

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Operations and line managing our Finance Officer, you'll take ownership of day-to-day operational finance, produce high-quality monthly management accounts, and support the annual audit process. You'll also help embed AI-powered tools into our finance systems and processes, supporting a period of exciting organisational growth.

We're looking for someone who can:

· Deliver accurate management accounts and financial analysis to tight deadlines

·  Assist with cash flow forecasting, budgeting and reforecasting

· Maintain robust internal controls and audit trails

· Translate complex financial data for non-finance colleagues and Trustees

· Bring a proactive, adaptable approach as our programmes grow

Charity sector experience is a plus, as is confidence using AI tools for reporting and workflow automation.

If you're a qualified accountant looking for a role where you can shape systems, support meaningful heritage and community-led projects, and grow with a scaling organisation, we'd love to hear from you.

In accordance with our commitment to promote equality of opportunity and diversity across all of our areas of work, we particularly welcome applications from people from black, Asian and minority ethnic communities, disabled people and younger people, who are currently under-represented within AHF.

Closing date: Monday 7th September at 9am.

Please submit your updated CV and a cover letter to apply.

A leading international charity is seeking an experienced Finance Manager – Systems & Treasury to join its finance team on an initial three-month contract. There is a strong likelihood of extension, with the long-term intention for the role to become permanent.

This is a newly created position that will act as the Finance team's subject matter expert for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The system has recently been implemented, and the successful candidate will take ownership of its day-to-day management, ongoing optimisation and future integrations.

You'll work closely with Finance and IT to ensure Business Central is embedded across the organisation, continues to evolve and delivers high-quality financial reporting and operational efficiencies.

Alongside systems ownership, you'll also lead the organisation's developing treasury function, managing cash flow forecasting, liquidity and supporting wider financial planning activities.

Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is essential.

Key responsibilities are as follows:

• Act as the Finance team's lead for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, taking ownership of its day-to-day administration and development.
• Drive ongoing enhancements, optimisation and future integrations, including timesheet and sales systems.
• Develop reports, dashboards and management information from Business Central to support financial decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance, IT and external system providers to resolve issues, improve functionality and maximise system capability.
• Support and train Finance colleagues, becoming the key point of contact for all Business Central queries.
• Maintain strong financial controls, data integrity and user access within the finance system.
• Develop and maintain rolling cash flow forecasts across multiple entities.
• Support treasury management, monitoring liquidity and identifying opportunities to maximise returns on surplus cash.
• Drive continuous improvements across finance systems, reporting and internal processes.

You will:

• Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
• Have demonstrable, hands-on experience using and administering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Be confident acting as the Finance team's systems lead, supporting users and driving continuous system improvements.
• Have experience developing reporting, improving finance processes and supporting system integrations.
• Possess strong treasury, cash flow forecasting and financial reporting experience.
• Have excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across Finance, IT and the wider organisation.
• Ideally have experience working within an international or not-for-profit organisation.

What's on offer:

• Initial three-month contract with a strong likelihood of extension and potential to become permanent.
• Day rate: £350 / £450per day (via umbrella) depending on experience
• Hybrid working arrangements with a London office.

Women’s Inclusive Team (WIT)

Finance and Fundraising Manager

Salary: £35,000–£45,500 FTE, pro rata
Hours: 14–21 hours per week
Location: Bethnal Green / hybrid
Contract: Permanent, subject to funding and probation
Reports to: Chief Executive Officer

About WIT

Women’s Inclusive Team is a community-led charity in Tower Hamlets. We work with women, children, young people and families, particularly those from Black, Asian and minoritised communities, to improve wellbeing, widen opportunities and strengthen local voices.

About the role

We are looking for an experienced Finance and Fundraising Manager to join our Senior Management Team.

This is a senior, hands-on role combining charity finance with fundraising and income development. You will lead the finance function, strengthen controls and provide clear information to the CEO, trustees and senior managers.

You will also help grow and diversify income by managing WIT’s funding pipeline, identifying opportunities and contributing to strong applications, tenders, budgets and financial narratives.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the finance function using QuickBooks and Excel.
• Produce management accounts, cash-flow forecasts, budgets and reforecasts.
• Strengthen reconciliations, journals, salary allocations, debtor monitoring and year-end processes.
• Maintain a central funding pipeline covering needs, opportunities, deadlines and gaps.
• Lead or contribute to funding applications, tenders, contracts and partnership bids.
• Prepare budgets, financial narratives and full-cost recovery calculations.
• Build relationships with funders, commissioners and corporate partners.
• Oversee grant and contract finances, reporting deadlines and audit trails.
• Advise the CEO, trustees, managers and budget holders.
• Line manage the Finance Assistant and improve systems and workflows.

About you

You will have:

• Strong charity finance experience, including management accounts, cash-flow forecasting, budgeting, restricted funds and financial controls.
• Experience of month-end processes, reconciliations and debtor management.
• A successful fundraising track record across grants, tenders, commissioned contracts or partnership bids.
• Experience managing a funding pipeline.
• Confidence using QuickBooks and Excel.
• Knowledge of grant management, funder reporting and audit requirements.
• The ability to explain financial information clearly.
• Strong organisational, collaborative and line-management skills.

You do not need to have held an identical combined role, but you must show strong charity finance expertise alongside credible fundraising and income-development experience.

What we offer

Flexible part-time hours, hybrid working, a place on WIT’s Senior Management Team and the opportunity to help shape the future of a values-led community charity.

How to apply

Please submit your CV and brief responses to these questions. A covering letter is not required.

1. Why would you like to work for WIT, and what attracts you to this role? Maximum 250 words.
2. Give one example of a successful funding application, tender, contract or partnership bid you contributed to. Include your role, the amount sought or secured and the outcome. Maximum 350 words.
3. Give one example of how you used management accounts, budgets or cash-flow information to support a decision, address a risk or improve financial controls. Maximum 350 words.

Closing date: 27th August 2026. We may close early if we receive enough suitable applications, so early applications are encouraged.
Interview dates: To be confirmed.

Further competency questions will be explored at interview; no lengthy written task is planned.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory references, right-to-work evidence and pre-employment checks. A DBS check may be required.

WIT welcomes applications from a wide range of backgrounds and lived experiences.

Finance, Planning and Analysis Manager – Maternity Cover (climate change focus orgaisation)

Central London / Hybrid | Approx. 10-month maternity cover | Full time |£50-£55k per annum plus benefits| Start: October 2026

The Opportunity

Civitas Recruitment are delighted to be supporting an investor-led membership organisation working with the investment community to address climate-related financial risks and support progress towards a net zero and climate-resilient future.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Finance, Planning and Analysis Manager to join on a maternity cover contract and play a key role in financial planning, analysis, reporting and decision-making. The postholder will provide insight, develop forecasts, support budgeting, and work closely with senior stakeholders and budget holders.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct financial analysis and provide insight on business performance, including variance analysis, trend analysis and financial forecasting.
• Prepare and present clear financial reports and dashboards for senior management and stakeholders.
• Lead on grants management and reporting in collaboration with the Development team, including budget proposal support, grant expenditure analysis and donor reporting.
• Complete monthly grant expenditure allocations, highlight major variances and recommend remedial actions where appropriate.
• Support annual budgets, financial plans, long-term strategic planning, rolling forecasts and scenario analysis.
• Build strong relationships with Programme Directors and budget holders, helping them understand and take ownership of their numbers.
• Support the development and implementation of financial strategies aligned with wider organisational objectives.

The Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong experience in financial planning and analysis, management accounting, reporting and donor/grant financial reporting.

• Strong Excel, modelling, finance systems and financial analysis skills.
• Ability to turn complex financial information into clear, credible and practical insight for senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing or improving financial management processes, systems and reporting.
• Confident working independently and collaboratively in a busy environment, with the ability to prioritise under pressure.
• Understanding of the not-for-profit sector is essential; previous sector finance experience and Xero knowledge would be advantageous.

How to Apply

Please apply using the link above or for further information, please contact Civitas Recruitment for an initial discussion and full job description. Early applications are encouraged as candidates may be reviewed on a rolling basis.

About Us

Finchley Progressive Synagogue (FPS) is a community-based charity with income of c. £400k–£500k per year. We are supported by a small staff team and a large volunteer base.

We are seeking an experienced finance professional to undertake a short-term review of our finance processes and controls and to implement improvements where appropriate. The successful candidate will work closely with our administrator, providing support to the Treasurer in ensuring that our financial arrangements are robust, proportionate, well documented and aligned with the needs of the charity.

The Role

This is a short-term project role (approx. 2–3 months) with potential for a small ongoing involvement to maintain and run the processes put in place.

The focus is on practical implementation and knowledge transfer, ensuring that improvements are embedded and sustainable

Key Responsibilities

• Review, enhance and document key financial processes and controls, including:
  • Reconciliation procedures for key balance sheet accounts
  • Month-end and period-end processes
  • Journal and accounting procedures, including income recognition and accruals
  • Restricted fund monitoring and reporting
• Review balance sheet accounts and support the ongoing refinement and documentation of accounting treatments where appropriate
• Develop and refine a practical management reporting pack
• Create practical tools and supporting documentation, including:
  • Month-end checklists
  • Process guidance and templates
• Work closely with the administrator to:
  • Provide training and support
  • Ensure processes are practical, sustainable and well embedded
• Provide support to the Treasurer on finance process improvement initiatives

About You

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a qualified accountant (or highly experienced equivalent)
• Has strong hands-on experience in small organisations or charities
• Has experience setting up financial processes and controls
• Is pragmatic and able to keep things simple and proportionate
• Is comfortable working collaboratively and supporting non-finance colleagues
• Strong Excel skills.  Xero skills are helpful.

Charity experience, including restricted funds accounting, is helpful but not essential.

Time Commitment

• Approx. 1.5–2 days per week for 2–3 months
• Potential for a small ongoing role (time to be agreed based on need)

Equality

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can succeed.  We encourage applications from groups that are currently under-represented and will make reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process where required.

Safeguarding

FPS is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all individuals. We expect all who work or volunteer with us to share this commitment and to follow our safeguarding practices at all times. Any offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and proof of identity.

IR35

This role is open to independent contractors via a Personal Service Company (PSC). As FPS qualifies for the Small Company Exemption under the Off-Payroll Working Rules, the responsibility for the IR35 status determination rests entirely with the contractor.

Head of Finance

London based (40% office attendance)

Permanent, Full time

£60,000 - 65,000

MLC Partners are partnering with CAFOD (Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) to recruit their next Head of Finance.

CAFOD is the official aid agency of the Catholic Church in England and Wales and part of Caritas International. This is a pivotal appointment, responsible for providing strategic financial leadership across an organisation operating within a complex, international and multi-funded environment.

The Opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Core Services, you’ll lead CAFOD’s newly formed Integrated Finance Team, bringing together four key areas:

• Financial compliance & risk management
• Financial & management insights
• Financial services & business support
• Financial capacity strengthening

This is a broad leadership role combining strategy, financial stewardship, transformation and people leadership. You’ll work closely with the Leadership Team and Trustees, providing the financial insight, challenge and assurance needed to support effective decision-making and CAFOD’s long-term sustainability.

The role

Strategic Leadership
Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and scenario modelling, while helping shape and deliver CAFOD’s finance strategy and long-term financial objectives.

Executive & Board Partnership
Act as a trusted strategic partner to senior leadership, the Finance, Legal and Audit/Risk Committee and Board of Trustees, providing high-quality financial analysis, advice and assurance.

Financial Governance
Take overall responsibility for financial integrity, statutory compliance, controls and the accuracy of financial reporting across CAFOD’s UK and international operations.

Transformation & Improvement
Challenge established ways of working and drive improvements across financial systems, processes, reporting and automation.

People Leadership
Lead, motivate and develop the Integrated Finance Team, creating clear direction and building a collaborative, high-performing finance function.

About You

We’re looking for an established finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with the ability to influence, challenge and operate confidently at senior level.

• A professional accounting qualification — ICAEW, CIMA, ACCA or equivalent
• Significant post-qualified finance leadership experience
• Experience within the INGO sector is highly preferred, while experience of international development through a partnership model is desirable.
• Experience supporting Boards, Finance/Audit Committees and Leadership teams
• A track record of developing and implementing finance strategy
• Strong experience of leading, developing and motivating finance teams
• The ability to lead change and improve systems and ways of working
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• High levels of integrity, accountability and commitment to mission-driven work

Why Consider This Role?

This is an opportunity to take on a genuinely influential finance leadership position.

You’ll have the scope to shape strategy, strengthen the finance function, develop a newly integrated team and influence decision-making at the highest levels of the organisation, while supporting CAFOD’s wider mission and international programmes.

To discuss this fantastic opportunity and your search in more detail, please contact Annabelle at MLC Partners.

Key dates

Applications close: midnight of 23rd August

1st stage interview: w/c 31st August

2nd stage interview: w/c 7th September

Job role: Finance Analyst
Pay rate: £21.98 per hour plus holiday pay
Location: Central London
Hybrid working: 2 days in the office, 3 days remote
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: Temporary ongoing

Play a key role in rebuilding a finance function

Join a non-profit membership organisation at a pivotal stage of transformation. This role sits within a developing the financial planning and analysis team and will support reporting, projects and process improvement while the function is being rebuilt.

The role

• Support the month-end process, including analysis, variance review and reporting outputs
• Deliver detailed financial analysis on projects and restricted funds, ensuring accuracy and clarity
• Prepare and support donor reporting, ensuring compliance with funding requirements
• Work closely with project managers and budget holders to review spend, challenge assumptions and improve financial understanding
• Investigate and support resolution of historical financial issues, balances and data inconsistencies
• Contribute to the setup and development of new processes, controls and reporting frameworks within FP&A
• Support the creation of meaningful management information, translating financial data into clear insights
• Build effective relationships across the organisation to improve data quality and financial engagement
• Proactively identify process gaps and inefficiencies, suggesting and implementing improvements

About you

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or related field; or studying for ACA, ACCA, CIMA equivalent professional accounting qualification.
• Experience in financial planning and analysis roles within a non - profit or public sector environment
• Previous roles may have included Assitant Finance Business Partner, Management/Project Accountant etc
• Experience in donor or restricted fund reporting
• Strong financial analysis, budgeting and management accounting exposure
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills
• Proactive, can-do attitude with strong ownership
• Comfortable working in an unstructured, evolving environment
• Solutions-focused, resilient and adaptable

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Who we are

Chefs in Schools is a young, ambitious charity that’s rapidly growing. Our mission is to improve kids' health, through improving school food & food education. Working in areas of high deprivation, we support and train schools and their kitchen teams to serve the best, freshest and tastiest food possible, alongside meaningful food education. We share our learning and resources freely, aiming to inspire and enable others to follow our lead.

We’re backed by some of the biggest names in food and have ambitious targets to ensure every child has access to incredible school food and food education, setting them up for life with the skills and knowledge to feed themselves well.

About you and the role

This is a pivotal role, at a pivotal moment for us. We are entering a critical growth phase, which includes rapidly expanding our own operations and managing significant external partnership. As Head of Finance & Systems, you will be accountable for ensuring we have the right systems and structures in place to grow at pace without detriment to good governance.

The purpose of this role is to lead on our finance strategy, and ensure all of our systems, reporting and processes are helping to drive forward the charity and deliver on our objectives at scale. You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Directors to ensure that financial planning is effective and supported by accurate data analysis. You will report directly to Trustees as required and ensure that the highest standards of transparency and probity are maintained. 

You will be joining the team during a period of growth in the size and complexity of our delivery. We currently have 24 employees and anticipate growing significantly in the next twelve months. You will have a crucial role in shaping our systems and processes to ensure we can scale effectively, both our existing programmes and a new membership-based programme that is in development. We’re looking for an experienced finance professional with an interest in effectively using technology and systems to drive efficiency, without compromising on accuracy or compliance. 

You will oversee all financial administration, ensuring this is carried out proficiently and in line with all legal and regulatory requirements, including ultimate responsibility for ensuring that all statutory filings are made accurately and on time. Your role will also encompass ensuring that we operate within legal & regulatory frameworks and stay up to date with changes in relevant legislation.

The responsibilities, skills and experience listed below are intended to give you an idea of what we need for this role. If you don’t meet every requirement, but feel as though you would be able to work with us to deliver the majority of them, we would urge you to apply anyway. We are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace, and for us the most important ‘experience’ is passion for our mission. You may be just the right candidate for this, or other roles.  

We want to get to know you at the interview and understand we can do this best if you’re at ease. We’re an inclusive employer and work hard to create a welcoming working environment for everyone, including appointing a neurodiversity champion to help us identify how we can make our work environment work for everyone. If you need adjustments to the interview process please let us know.

As we work with children & young people, an offer of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and DBS clearance, in line with our safeguarding policy.  

 

Key responsibilities:

• Developing a comprehensive financial strategy that supports the delivery of the charity’s objectives and activities.

• Have ultimate oversight of the external audit and production of the statutory accounts, supported in delivery of this by the book-keeper.

• Produce the monthly management accounts and bespoke financial reports—including accurate forecasting, restricted fund tracking, and variance analysis—ensuring decision-makers have clear, actionable data.

• Forecasting cash flow and managing the treasury position.

• Manage the contract and performance of the bookkeeper  and outsourced payroll providers; setting strict monthly closing deadlines, enforcing data accuracy, and ensuring they deliver a clean trial balance for management accounting.

• Oversee sound financial administration, management and governance across the organisation, ensuring robust financial controls in place and operating effectively.

• Provide leadership and guidance to all things finance related, providing mentoring and support to the team, and coaching on financial awareness. 

• Accountability for monitoring that the organisation’s services are, and will, run to budget, supporting budget holders and reporting promptly on risks 

• Support the Partnerships & Impact team and Programme Managers with financial inputs to funding proposals and ensure restricted funds are used in compliance with grant conditions.

• Developing our systems strategy, including reviewing suitability of our current systems (Quickbooks for accountancy, Beacon CRM, PLEO for expenses management, Survey Monkey for data collection etc. ) and ensuring optimal use of systems, maximising automation, and using AI where appropriate.

• Constantly seeking to develop and improve the organisation’s financial systems, policies and procedures to promote dynamic, best practice and up-to-date application of tools, systems and approaches

• Supporting the organisation’s data governance by ensuring financial systems (e.g., Quickbooks, payroll, expenses) are secure, compliant, and integrated in line with data protection principles.

• Leading an effective risk management process.

• Ensuring the organisation’s compliance with charity law, in accordance with the Charity Commission in England & Wales and all financial reporting requirements.

Essential Skills & experience:

• Charity Finance Experience: Practical, senior-level experience working within a UK non-profit finance function, including a strong working knowledge of the Charities SORP and accounting for restricted vs. unrestricted funds.

• Hands-on Management Accounting:Proven experience independently producing monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasting, and variance analysis from scratch.

• End-to-End Audit Management: Experience preparing year-end audit files, reconciling balance sheet control accounts, and acts as the primary point of contact for external auditors.

• Accountancy Qualification: Full or partial qualification through an accredited body (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, CIPFA). 

• Tech Literacy & Data Reconciliation: Comfortable troubleshooting and navigating modern finance tech stacks (e.g., Xero, Pleo) and pulling financial data/reports from a CRM system (e.g., Beacon).

• Vendor & Staff Management:Experience supervising junior staff (or office managers) and actively managing the performance, timelines, and accuracy of outsourced providers (e.g., bookkeeping and payroll).

 

Desirable skills & experience

• Systems Implementation: Past experience project-managing a software migration or building native integrations/automations between a CRM system and accounting software.

• Broader Operations/HR Exposure: Basic familiarity with HR administration, GDPR workflows, or managing organizational risk registers in a small team environment.

• Sector Passion: A demonstrable interest in food education, children’s health, or food systems.

Benefits

You would be joining a friendly, supportive team who works hard but believe in a healthy work/life balance. We were voted one of CODE Hospitality’s happiest places to work in 2024. We seek a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge. Joining a small, collaborative team means you’ll be able to contribute to and draw on various projects and strategic insights.

We offer 33 days of holiday per year including bank holidays, 3 additional office closure days over the Christmas period as well as wellbeing days over the summer school holidays.  We also have a Cycle to Work scheme, hybrid working, enhanced parental leave, and free access to the CODE app for discounted restaurants & hospitality venues. We are committed to developing our team and will support you with relevant training opportunities including £250 towards elective training and development of your choice.

We also offer Bupa Dental Insurance, Income Protection Insurance, as well as access to the Aviva Smart Health Platform which offers health benefits including free rapid access online GP appointments, free counselling and wellbeing support.

Application process

In line with our commitment to ensuring a fair and unbiased recruitment process, we invite candidates to answer a series of questions related to their day-to-day job. 

We recommend that you develop your answers offline and copy them in when you’re ready to ensure you don’t lose your work if interrupted.

Your answers will go through our sifting process: all answers will be anonymised, randomised and then reviewed by a panel of reviewers. A long list of candidates will then additionally have their CVs reviewed. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to a 30 mins online interview. Successful candidates will be invited to attend a second, in-person interview at our office in Brixton, London.

Expected duration of this application process: 7 weeks

First interviews will be held 1st -4th September

Contract: Interim, immediate start until mid-November 2026
Reports to: Chief Operating Officer

The Role

We are seeking an experienced and highly hands-on Interim Head of Finance to join an international not-for-profit organisation for a short-term assignment.

The key priority will be to hold the fort during a period of transition, ensuring the day-to-day finance function continues to operate effectively before providing a comprehensive handover to the incoming permanent Head of Finance.

This is very much a hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up role. Alongside overseeing the finance function, you will be comfortable getting into the detail yourself, including making payments, managing payroll and VAT returns, maintaining accurate financial information and supporting the migration to a new banking provider.

A significant project during the assignment will also be leading the development of the organisation’s 2027 annual budget.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function throughout the interim period.
• Manage and support the Finance Officer.
• Maintain accurate and timely financial information, reporting and controls.
• Take a hands-on role in payments, payroll and VAT returns.
• Manage and oversee the organisation’s Xero accounting system.
• Lead the migration to a new banking provider, ensuring a smooth transition and appropriate controls.
• Lead the preparation of the 2027 organisational budget, working closely with senior leaders and budget holders.
• Provide management information and financial advice to the COO, CEO and Senior Leadership Team.
• Support effective management and reporting of restricted donor funds, including appropriate allocations and cost recovery.
• Work with fundraising colleagues on grant budgets and donor financial reporting where required.
• Ensure key financial and statutory deadlines continue to be met.
• Maintain strong financial controls and ensure the finance function is well organised for the incoming permanent Head of Finance.
• Deliver a clear and comprehensive handover at the end of the assignment.

About You

We are looking for someone who can quickly get to grips with an organisation and operate with minimal supervision. You will be equally comfortable working with senior stakeholders and getting directly involved in transactional and operational finance.

You will ideally bring:

• A recognised accountancy qualification – ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Strong experience operating at Head of Finance / Financial Controller level within a charity, NGO or wider not-for-profit environment.
• Good working knowledge and practical experience of Xero.
• A genuinely hands-on approach, with the willingness to process payments and get involved in payroll, VAT and the day-to-day finance workload.
• Strong budgeting and forecasting experience, ideally having led an organisation-wide annual budgeting process.
• Experience managing and reporting on restricted donor or grant funding, including allocations.
• Knowledge of UK charity accounting and Charity SORP.
• Strong financial controls and process management experience.
• The ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues.
• The confidence to quickly establish priorities, keep the function running effectively and leave everything in good shape for the permanent postholder.

This would suit an experienced interim finance professional who enjoys getting stuck into the detail and can provide a safe pair of hands during a period of transition.