116 Financial accounts officer jobs

Finance Director, Ark UK Programmes

About The Role

• We are looking for a strategic finance professional to join the senior leadership team of Ark UK Programmes and support the sustainable growth and development of our traded programmes. This is an exciting opportunity for someone with strong commercial experience who is passionate about our mission and motivated by how different funding models and blended finance can enable us to create social impact at scale.

  Within this role you will work closely with the Group Finance team, which is responsible for all the group financial processing and reporting, and supported by a group financial controller. We are looking for someone who will bring a firm understanding of the drivers of income and expenditure to support effective decision making across our programmes, ensuring that financial sustainability and mission impact are considered together and influence every part of the organisational strategy. The Finance Director will own all the financial modelling underpinning this, managing forecasting and budgeting, and providing rapid and reliable assessments of the financial impact of business decisions.

  This role requires a curious and commercially minded approach, using a strong grasp of the economics of our ventures to identify risks and opportunities and deepen organisational understanding of key metrics such as subscription renewals. Working closely with the Group Finance team, the Finance Director will ensure management reports provide an accurate view of performance and will oversee spend and income risks, ensuring corrective action is taken where needed. The role will also work closely with the Managing Director to develop new ventures, ensuring their underlying economics are sound.

  Reporting directly into the Managing Director of Ark UK Programmes, this role will also have dotted line reporting into the Group CFO who oversees all Ark’s financial activity, to ensure consistency and management of risk throughout the Ark Group.

  The Finance Director will report into Managing Director, Ark UK Programmes. This role is currently operating hybrid working in our West London Office on a permanent basis working full time.

  1st round interviews will be taking place in person on Wednesday 21st October 2026 with 2nd round interviews taking place in person w/c 2nd November 2026.

  Key Responsibilities:

  Key Requirements:

  • The financial performance of Ark UK Programmes, highlighting risks and issues to the Managing Director to ensure effective commercial decisions are promptly made
  • Developing the strategic plans for Ark UK Programmes including forecasting and budgeting
  • Developing a fully auditable, flexible financial model able to provide rapid and reliable answers about the impact of different decisions on the financial performance
  • Working with the Managing Director and product strategy team on developing new ventures, conducting robust financial analysis to support decision making and fundraising applications
  • Working with the Group Finance Business Partner responsible for Ark UK Programmes to obtain relevant and accurate monthly Management Accounts in a format that supports sound financial management
  • Present Management Accounts to the Ark UK Programmes senior leadership team
  • Responsible for compiling and presenting the quarterly report to the AC+ Programme Board
  • Work with the Group FD, FC and group finance team in making sure financial processes are efficient, processing is accurate, and that we make the most of the use of available technology
  • Work with the Managing Director of Ark UK Programmes to develop a fully auditable flexible financial model able to be interrogated to provide financial insights into the impact of different decisions on the financial performance and long-term sustainability of the ventures, and to use this to advise on proposed changes such as pricing, contractual terms and programme structures
  • As part of the senior leadership team, contribute to organisational direction and priorities that maximise long-term impact, ensuring financial sustainability is central to decision making
  • Right to work in the UK
  • Professional Accounting Qualification, with a preference towards CIMA
  • Educated to degree level or equivalent
  • Minimum of 5 years’ experience in a senior finance role in complex organisations or start ups
  • Understanding the importance of strong financial modelling and experience building and interrogating models
  • Strong commercial management and project experience, including financial management experience in organisations that depend on trading income in highly competitive markets
  • Strong numerical and analytical skills including confidence in analysing large data sets and presenting important findings clearly
  • Experience operating at a leadership level, with the ability to work independently and to structure and lead complex projects
  • Strong relationship skills with enthusiasm for working in an entrepreneurial environment
  • Confident and highly credible with colleagues and stakeholders at all levels
  • Able to juggle multiple priorities and enjoy an environment which is constantly changing

• Benefits

• • Our flexible working model offers the best of both worlds, balancing in person collaboration, either in our state of the art West London office or through visits to our schools, with the flexibility of remote working
  • In addition to flexible working arrangements, employees can request to work fully remotely for up to 10 working days a year, whether this be in the UK or abroad
  • Our flexitime policy allows you to work your hours around our core hours of 10.00 - 16.00, helping you prioritise your work-life balance and personal commitments
  • 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with each year of service up to 30 days after 3-years’ service. This entitlement is pro rata for part time employees. This entitlement excludes bank holidays
  • Full office closure between Christmas and New Year
  • As an Ark employee, you will have the opportunity to be part of the TPT (The Pension Trust) scheme, our workplace pension scheme where we make an 11% contribution; you are not required to contribute towards this scheme unless you choose to
  • Access to high-quality professional learning throughout your career, offering both face-to-face sessions and a bespoke online learning platform
  • Access to Ark Rewards scheme offering savings from over 3,000 major retailers, interest-free loans available for season tickets or a bike, gym discounts offering up to 40% off your local gym and free eye tests

• About Us

• Ark Curriculum Plus is a not-for-profit education venture set up by the Ark Multi Academy Trust to improve subject outcomes. We’ve now been going for over ten years, using what we learn in Ark to support over 1,000 schools nationally. Our mission is to empower teachers to give every young person, regardless of their background, the subject knowledge and skills that will allow them to succeed.

  We now have subject excellence programmes in English, Maths, Science and Geography, at primary and secondary. A team of subject experts work with partner schools to empower teachers to achieve subject excellence using an ambitious curriculum combined with CPD, teaching and assessment resources.

  Our programmes, including Mathematics Mastery and English Mastery, have been shown to have measurable impact in evaluations by the EEF, FFT and The Brilliant Club.

  Diversity and inclusion:

  We aim to build a diverse and inclusive organisation where everyone – staff and students – can do their best work and achieve their full potential. We want to reflect and represent diverse perspectives across our organisation because we know that doing so will make us stronger and more effective. To know more about Ark’s diversity and inclusion commitments, please click on this link.

  Safeguarding statement:
  Ark is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people in its academies. In order to meet this responsibility, its academies follow a rigorous selection process to discourage and screen out unsuitable applicants.

  Ark requires all employees to undertake an enhanced DBS check. You are required, before appointment, to disclose any unspent conviction, cautions, reprimands or warnings under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975. Non-disclosure may lead to termination of employment. However, disclosure of a criminal background will not necessarily debar you from employment - this will depend upon the nature of the offence(s) and when they occurred. To read more about Ark’s safer recruitment process, please click this link.

  Please note we will be reviewing applications on an on-going basis and this role may close earlier than advertised depending on the level of response. We strongly encourage to submit your application at your earliest convenience. 

Swansea Women’s Aid is seeking an inspiring, courageous and values-led Chief Executive Officer to lead our specialist women-only domestic abuse charity following the retirement of our current Chief Executive Lynne Sanders MBE after more than 40 years of outstanding service. 

Working closely with a well-established Board of Trustees, you will provide strategic and operational leadership across the charity. You will: 

• Provide clear, strategic and compassionate leadership. 

• Work with Trustees to shape and deliver the charity’s future direction. 

• Ensure strong governance, safeguarding, financial sustainability and compliance. 

• Represent Swansea Women’s Aid as a credible and influential voice for women and children affected by abuse. 

• Identify opportunities for service development, partnership working, fundraising and long-term sustainability. 

About you

You will bring significant senior leadership experience together with: 

• Strong financial and organisational management skills. 

• Understanding of income generation, commissioning and accountability
• Experience of leading people and supporting positive organisational culture. 

• The ability to build trusted relationships and effective partnerships. 

• A genuine commitment to ending violence against women and children. 

Knowledge and experience of the VAWDASV sector, charity governance, commissioning, fundraising and service development would be highly desirable. 

You may not have followed a traditional route into senior charity leadership. We are interested in the skills, experience, values and perspective you can bring to Swansea Women’s Aid and its future. 

Equality and inclusion 

Swansea Women’s Aid welcomes applications from women with the skills, values and lived or professional understanding needed to lead a specialist service. 

This post is open to women only. Swansea Women’s Aid considers that being a woman is an occupational requirement for this post under Schedule 9, Part 1 of the Equality Act 2010. 

In July 2026, following almost two and a half years of work and nearly two decades as a Faculty, we became the College of Intensive Care Medicine: an independent charity with our own Board of Trustees, governance and voice. Reaching this point has been a significant achievement. Now comes the next chapter: building an organisation that is genuinely independent, financially sustainable and equipped to lead the specialty for the future.

This role sits at the heart of that transformation.

Organisationally, we are creating a College from what was previously a faculty function – establishing our own culture, values, policies, systems and operating model while managing a careful and constructive separation from the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), our long-standing host and continuing close partner.

Financially, we begin with an established income base, derived predominantly from subscriptions and examinations. The Executive Director will lead the development of a more diverse and resilient financial model, strengthening income and ensuring long-term sustainability without compromising our charitable purpose, governance or commitment to members.

For our people, we need to build our own workforce and operating model while supporting colleagues through a genuine change in employer and organisational identity. This will require clarity, empathy and strong leadership – alongside an unwavering focus on maintaining the services that almost 5,000 members rely on.

THE ROLE

We are therefore looking for an Executive Director who has successfully led organisations through significant transformation; who understands how to build financial sustainability and diversify income; and who can bring people with them through complex and meaningful change.

You will bring the strategic and financial credibility to earn the confidence of our Trustees and partners at the RCoA, alongside the emotional intelligence and collaborative leadership needed to unite staff, members and the wider clinical community behind the College’s future.

This is a rare opportunity to shape a new professional College at the moment of its creation: establishing its identity, culture and operating model while building the foundations for long-term independence and impact.

TIMELINE

Closing date: Monday 19th October 2026

Preliminary interviews: w/c Monday 2nd and 9th November 2026

Final Panel interviews: w/c Monday 7th December 2026  

We are the UK branch of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association (known as CPA UK). We are based in the Houses of Parliament and represent the UK Parliament in the Commonwealth. We bring together parliamentarians to share good practice. We strengthen parliamentary democracy.

Peer to peer learning is central to how CPA UK works. We organise meetings and visits in the UK and overseas. Our aim is for UK and Commonwealth parliamentarians and officials to share knowledge and learn from each other. Our members talk about a huge variety of topics. Our key themes are eliminating violence against women and girls, tackling climate change, trade in the Commonwealth and digital transformation.

The Finance Manager is responsible for the overall management and delivery of the finance function for CPA UK. You will be responsible for financial modelling and analysis, management of finance data and preparation of the accounts in readiness for the annual external audit. You will ensure that internal finance policies are fit for purpose and that internal financial controls are applied. This includes providing guidance and support to colleagues regarding business decisions.

The Finance Manager will operate as a proactive Finance Business Partner, working closely with managers and senior leaders to provide financial insight, constructive challenge and support overcoming difficulties and answering questions. The postholder will help inform decision-making, problem-solve, improve organisational performance and ensure resources are used effectively to achieve the organisation's objectives.

The role provides a compliance function in filing accounts and recording our Executive Committee’s membership correctly with Companies House and The Charity Commission.

The finance team consists of the Finance Manager and a Finance Officer. The Finance Manager reports to the Deputy Chief Executive who is Head of the Business Strategy Team in which the role sits. CPA UK’s annual turnover is around £3M.

Work with us and help make a difference!

Salary: £45-50,000 FTE, dependent on experience
Hours: 15 hours (2 days per week)
Contract: Permanent

Help us make homelessness rare, brief and non-recurring.

Harrogate Homeless Project (HHP) is a leading local charity supporting people experiencing homelessness and housing insecurity across the Harrogate district. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Financial Controller to join our senior team and play a pivotal role in ensuring the financial sustainability and growth of our organisation.

This is an exciting opportunity for a finance professional who wants to use their skills to make a meaningful difference in the lives of vulnerable people whilst helping shape the future of a respected and ambitious charity.

About the Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive, the Financial Controller will oversee all financial and accounting activities across the organisation. Working closely with our Finance Officer, management team, Treasurer and Board of Trustees, you will ensure robust financial management, compliance with charity accounting standards, and provide strategic financial insight to support organisational decision-making.

You will take ownership of financial reporting, budgeting, cashflow forecasting, year-end accounts and audit preparation, while also helping to identify opportunities to strengthen financial performance and improve systems and processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee the day-to-day financial management of the charity.
• Prepare timely and accurate management accounts and financial reports.
• Ensure compliance with charity accounting regulations and SORP requirements.
• Lead the annual budgeting process, forecasting and financial planning.
• Manage cashflow and support organisational risk management.
• Prepare year-end accounts and coordinate audit requirements.
• Monitor and report on grant income, restricted funds and project budgets.
• Provide financial advice and guidance to senior management and trustees.
• Manage and support the Finance Officer through effective supervision and development.
• Oversee payroll processes and key financial systems.
• Manage finance-related contracts, including accounting software, payroll and business subscriptions.
• Support fundraising activities by providing financial information for grant applications and funding reports.
• Work collaboratively across departments to support organisational objectives.

About You

We are looking for someone who combines strong technical financial expertise with excellent communication skills and a genuine commitment to the values of the voluntary sector.

Why Join Harrogate Homeless Project?

At HHP, you’ll be part of a dedicated team committed to transforming lives and creating positive change within our community. We offer the opportunity to make a real impact, influence strategic decision-making and contribute to the growth and sustainability of a well-established local charity.

If you are a finance professional looking for a rewarding role where your expertise can directly support people facing homelessness, we’d love to hear from you.

Benefits Include

• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• 33 days annual leave (including bank holidays) plus birthday leave.
• Healthcare package.
• Travel benefits.
• Workplace pension scheme.
• The opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of women experiencing homelessness.

About Us

Harrogate Homeless Project provides people experiencing homelessness with a safe place to stay and the support they need to build confidence and move towards independent living.

We work with partners to give people facing disadvantage hope of a different future and empower people to change their lives through support, accommodation and opportunity.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a brief covering letter to Richard Cooper or call for an informal conversation about the role.

Closing Date: 4 October 2026

We will assess applications as they are received and interview suitable candidates on a rolling basis. Therefore, we reserve the right to close this vacancy earlier than the stated closing date if a suitable candidate is appointed. Early applications are encouraged.

Harrogate Homeless Project is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.

Role Summary

This is a key role in our organisation. You’ll be responsible for keeping our financial records accurate and up to date, supporting the Executive Director with clear financial reporting, and ensuring we meet our legal and regulatory obligations including those of the Charity Commission. It’s a great opportunity for someone who enjoys hands-on bookkeeping and wants to make a real difference in a charity supporting the lives of dance professionals.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage a monthly pay run of invoices, grant payments and ongoing expenses.
• Liaise with grant awardees about payment schedules (e.g. course start dates).
• Record activity in Quick Books online and reconcile against monthly bank accounts.
• Manage payroll payments (in liaison with our payroll company Payline)
• Manage HMRC communications and refer to Payline/Executive Director if needed.
• Liaise with the charity’s bank when required e.g. to resolve any online banking issues.
• Record CAF Donate income and from other fundraising platforms, including Gift Aid.
• Record other donor income received, including any legacies received by the Fund.
• Liaise with the Fund’s investment managers if requested, e.g. drawdown of income
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including cashflow and bring to the attention of the Executive Director any budget variances.
• Support the Executive Director with financial reports including information that may be required when planning the annual budget.
• Assist with year-end accounts and audit/independent examination preparation.
• Ensure that appropriate financial controls are maintained throughout.

Essential

• Proven bookkeeping experience and industry qualification.
• Strong understanding of bookkeeping principles and financial controls.
• Confident using accounting software.
• Experience in providing financial information, including for audit purposes.
• Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
• High integrity and commitment to confidentiality.

Desirable

• Experience of using Quick Books accounting software
• Experience of bookkeeping within a small charity
• Knowledge of charity accounting, restricted funds and Gift Aid.
• Understanding of small charity governance.
• Able to work independently and communicate clearly with senior leadership.

What We Offer

• Permanent contract, with six months probationary period
• Pension contribution of 3% employer, 5% employee
• Enrolment into the EAP scheme
• Hybrid working arrangements

Commitment to Inclusion

Dance Fund is proud to be a Disability Confident Level 1 (Committed) Employer. We actively encourage applications from disabled people and those with long-term health conditions. We are committed to creating an inclusive recruitment process and welcoming workplace, and we will provide reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in employment where needed.

We welcome applications from candidates from all backgrounds and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive working environment.

Harris Hill is delighted to be working with Citizens Advice St Albans District (CASTAD) to recruit its new Chief Executive Officer.

CASTAD provides free, confidential, impartial and independent advice to help people overcome their problems. We campaign on the issues that matter to them when their voices need to be heard.

We want to see a world where no one suffers through ignorance of their rights and responsibilities, or an inability to pursue them; and where the underlying causes of people’s problems have been eliminated.

As Chief Executive, you will:

• Deliver high-quality client services to approximately 9,000 users per annum.
• Ensure financial resources are in place to run the service.
• Work with the Trustee Board to define and lead the future strategy and sustainability of CASTAD.
• Execute the agreed strategy by ensuring a detailed and measurable Business Plan is in place, regularly tracked, and reported on.

If you are inspired and excited by what CASTAD does, we’d love to hear from you.

Job title: Chief Executive Officer
Salary: circa £50,000 - £55,000 p.a.
Contract: Permanent / Full-time
Location: Citizens Advice St Albans and District, The Civic Centre, St Peters Street, St Albans, Hertfordshire AL1 3JE. (Flexible working will be considered.)

How to apply: Please review the Recruitment Pack for further information about CASTAD, the CEO position and for details on how to apply.

Closing date for applications: 9am Monday 19 October 2026

Both CASTAD and Harris Hill operate an equal opportunity policy and commit to treating all of our candidates and jobseekers fairly. We welcome and encourage applications from everyone regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships.

Location: Hybrid · London, with flexibility to work remotely

About the role

This is a rare opportunity to join a well-established finance team in a national charity. You will be looking for a hands-on role overseeing the day-to-day financial operations of the charity and its commercial subsidiaries whilst managing a small team, reporting to the Finance Director.

You will be keen to partner other teams in their business decisions and take an active role in other areas such as risk management and insurance.

This role is known internally as Finance and Risk Manager.

About the team

 This is a small team which has worked together well for many years, committed to delivering excellence to all our stakeholders, providing support to staff and volunteers across the charity within and outside the UK.

About you

You will be ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with experience as Financial Controller or Finance Manager, ready for your next move. You will enjoy working with external and internal stakeholders at all levels with experience of management and financial reporting and relish the challenge of implementing process improvements.

About SSAFA

SSAFA, the Armed Forces charity, has been providing practical, emotional, and financial support to our Forces and their families since 1885. SSAFA, is a trusted source of support for the Armed Forces community in their time of need; last year our trained teams of volunteers and employees helped more than 53,000 people in need, including veterans, serving personnel (regulars and reserves) and their families.

SSAFA understands that behind every uniform is a person. We are here for that person and their family – any time they need us, in any way they need us, for as long as they need us.

 Diversity and Inclusion at SSAFA

SSAFA exists to support a diverse range of beneficiaries within the armed forces community, and we believe diversity within our teams is key to ensuring we can deliver our services effectively. We thrive on differences and believe it is critical to our success as a worldwide charity. SSAFA is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace that seeks to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We therefore encourage applications from all genders, races, religions, ages and sexual orientations, as well as parents, veterans, people living with disabilities, and any other groups that could bring diverse perspectives to our business.

SSAFA is committed to using the Disclosure & Barring Service to ensure we, as an employer, safeguard those we serve.

Further information about the role

Click on the Redirect button to find out more.

View the benefits SSAFA has to offer on our website.

If you have any queries or would like to speak to someone about this role, please contact Philip Town for an informal discussion.

No agencies please. Any unsolicited submissions from agencies will be accepted as a direct application from the candidate and no fees will be payable.

If you need any adjustments to support you with the application process, please contact us.

Closing date: Midnight on 21 September 2026. SSAFA reserves the right to close the vacancy early if we receive a high volume of suitable applications.

Interviews: 30 September 2026

Finance Director

Hours of work 30 hrs / 4 days per week, permanent contract

Based Newhaven, with some hybrid working available after completing induction

Starting Salary £65K per annum pro rata

Sussex Community Development Association (SCDA) has been supporting people and communities to thrive for over 28 years. We deliver a range of projects, services & activities aimed at improving economic stability and opportunity, health and wellbeing, and addressing loneliness, social isolation and social cohesion.  Come & join our flexible, inclusive and friendly organisation in this crucial role, and help make a difference!

Are you an experienced senior level finance decision maker with broad cross sector knowledge, who demonstrates excellent communication skills, and wants to use your skills to support a community facing organisation? If so, we would welcome your interest and application!

You will be a qualified accountant with an understanding of the complexities of working within the 3rd sector funding framework.  With responsibility for providing expert strategic financial advice and professional input right across the organisation, you will ensure the finances of the Charity run smoothly and efficiently.  You will consider the wider internal and external factors presented to you by our internal knowledge experts alongside the financial position to support the delivery of SCDA’s services and enterprises, and which fulfil the organisation’s mission and values.

As a manager you will also provide effective leadership, operational support and direction to the well-regarded finance team.

Providing sound financial, contract & risk management advice and ensuring compliance with legal, statutory and audit requirements, you will contribute to the strategic leadership of the charity as an active member of our Senior Management Team.

We are looking for people to join our team who have the qualities and skills we feel would most benefit our internal and external clients; professionalism, empathy, kindness and understanding. In return, we understand people want to work in a supportive environment with friendly colleagues. We offer a flexible, hybrid approach to delivery wherever possible, annual leave of 25 days per year pro rata plus bank holidays and sick pay from the start (increasing with service), additional sick pay for planned operations and recovery, a pension scheme, bereavement leave, and managers who are available to you… plus a day off for your birthday!

Interviews will be held in Newhaven.

Closing date: 5pm on Sunday 27th September 2026

1st stage interviews: Wednesday 7th October 2026 / 2nd stage interviews: Wednesday 14th October 2026

You may think that you’re not a 100% match to what we’re looking for, but we recognise that some skills and experience may be transferable rather than an exact match.If you’re unsure about whether to apply, please do contact the HR team and we would be happy to arrange an informal discussion with the CEO or HRD.

SCDA includes: Employability; Community Advice and Wellbeing; Community Development & Health

Registered Charity Number: 1094905

Company Limited by Guarantee: 3387617

About School of Hard Knocks

School of Hard Knocks (SOHK) is one of the UK’s leading education charities, working in 29 secondary schools across England, Scotland, and Wales. Using rugby as a key delivery tool, we support young people who are struggling to engage in early secondary education - often because of anxiety, low confidence, disrupted home lives, or behavioural challenges rooted in trauma. For many of the children we support, life has already brought more hardship than most adults experience in a lifetime. Our purpose is clear: to help young people facing complex challenges break the cycle and move towards a safer, stronger, more hopeful future.

The SOHK Schools Programme is a two-year intervention working with cohorts of around 20 pupils from Year 7 through to Year 9. Pupils are selected by the school and are typically among the hardest to reach young people. Each week, we deliver half a day of rugby training and classroom sessions built around our 3Cs framework, covering topics such as growth mindset, goal setting, and decision-making, alongside monthly one-to-one sessions with every pupil. The programme’s impact is evaluated by SOHK staff, teachers, parents, and the pupils themselves.

90% of our participants report feeling more confident and more engaged with school after taking part, with long-term effects on attendance, attainment, and life outcomes. Find out more about our Schools Programme.

Since 2023, SOHK has been proud to partner with Impetus, a charity that invests in and supports organisations helping young people from disadvantaged backgrounds succeed. This partnership combines investment with strategic and organisational development support, helping to strengthen our impact and set SOHK up for sustainable growth.

We are proud to be delivering long-term programmes that meaningfully reach hundreds of young people each year - but the societal need is vast. Our ambitious four-year strategic plan targets growth, aiming to bring our impactful programme to hundreds more young people each year.

“Despite the usual challenges that every education or sport for development charity faces, School of Hard Knocks really is unique. It is not so much what we deliver at a programme level (which is of course brilliant) but who we are as a team. If you are a values-led leader and love the idea of ‘team’, then School of Hard Knocks is the place for you.”

- Ken Cowen, Founder and outgoing CEO

The Role

The CEO is the public face and leader of SOHK, responsible for the overall strategic direction, vision, and management of the charity - ensuring SOHK meets its mission and strategic objectives while maintaining strong relationships with Trustees, staff, supporters, and the wider SOHK community. We’re looking for a mission-driven charity leader and effective fundraiser, capable of building a sustainable growth model.

Strategy and Direction

● Be the face and voice of the charity - its principal ambassador

● Lead the development and periodic review of SOHK’s strategy with the Trustees and Senior Management Team

● Translate the 2026-30 strategy into organisational priorities, plans, and goals

● Ensure safeguarding, wellbeing, and the lived experience of young people remain central to every decision and growth plan

Programme Delivery, Quality and Impact

● Hold a high bar for programme quality and outcomes for young people

● Line-manage and support the Director of Programmes, working with delivery teams and partners to build a world-class, evidence-based intervention

● Ensure SOHK can evidence the impact of its programmes, with insights feeding back into constant improvement

Income Generation, Fundraising and External Relations

● Lead income generation across trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, individual giving, and challenges and events

● Line-manage and support the Head of Fundraising in executing a comprehensive fundraising strategy

● Hold senior relationships with funders and partners, building SOHK’s brand, reputation, and profile

Leading People, Culture and Operations

● Build and lead a high-performing Senior Management Team

● Foster a positive, inclusive, high-performing culture aligned with SOHK’s values

● Line-manage and support the Director of Finance & Operations, ensuring operational excellence

Governance and the Board

● Act as the primary link between the organisation and the Trustees

● Attend all Trustee meetings (held quarterly) and provide timely, accurate reporting

● Ensure compliance with all legal, regulatory, and Charity Commission requirements

About You

Essential

● Proven senior leadership experience in the charity, education, youth, or social impact sector - whether as CEO or as part of an executive team - including working directly with a Board of Trustees

● Demonstrated success in building or significantly growing an organisation, programme, or initiative

● A collaborative and values-led leadership style, with the ability to inspire trust, hold people to account, and build high-performing teams

● Strong track record of income generation, including securing significant funding from trusts, foundations, corporates, or major donors

● Experience of financial oversight, budgeting, and organisational planning at a senior level

● Strategic thinker, able to translate vision into clear plans and delivery

● Strong relationship-builder and communicator, confident with a wide range of stakeholders

Desirable

● Previous charity CEO experience - a bonus, but not essential; we know brilliant candidates come from a wide range of backgrounds

● Direct classroom, youth work, or education leadership experience

● Knowledge of the UK education system and youth policy landscape

● Experience of scaling a multi-site delivery organisation and working with local authorities

Personal Attributes

● Deep commitment to improving outcomes for young people, especially those facing disadvantage

● Resilient and persistent, able to work under pressure and navigate setbacks

● Collaborative, open, and reflective leader who seeks feedback and learns from it

Terms of Appointment

Contract type

Full-time, permanent

Location

Greater London, with offices in Edinburgh & Cardiff

Salary

£85,000 – £90,000 per year + £5,000 PRP

Reports to

Chair of the Board of Trustees

Direct reports

Director of Programmes; Head of Fundraising; Director of Finance & Operations

Travel

Regular UK travel, primarily to Edinburgh and Cardiff. Occasional evenings for stakeholder engagement and fundraising events

Trustee meetings

Quarterly, in London, in the evening, plus ad hoc subcommittees

Improving lives and developing local pride, through professional theatre

Finance Officer Job  Description

📋 Job Purpose

To support the charity's daily operations by delivering accurate, timely, and robust financial administration. This role is responsible for maintaining financial integrity, supporting compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, and ensuring management of restricted and unrestricted income streams

Proposed Hours 24 hours/3 days per week

Reporting:

Line Manager: Artistic Director

Governance: Support Treasurer in reporting financial matters to the Board of Trustees.

Operational Liaison: General Manager

Key Relationships: Close work with Department Heads/Budget Holders

🔧 Key Responsibilities

Budget and Strategic Management

● Support organisational financial decision-making through financial analysis, management accounts, budget monitoring and variance reporting.

● Attend regular month-end finance meetings with the Treasurer and General Manager to review financial reporting.

● Develop and maintain templates for recording budgets, cashflow, freelance payment schedule and continuously improve financial systems and processes.

● Support department leads to plan, monitor, and manage budgets, and to meet reporting deadlines as set by the Artistic Director and Trustees.

● Assist the Artistic Director in managing budgets and associated cashflows where there is no other identified project lead.

● Aid the Treasurer in preparing financial reports to the Board by supplying figures/tables as required.

Financial Processing & Bookkeeping

● Record Transactions: Record all income, expenditure, invoices and expenses accurately in the cashbook, cashflow forecasts and accounting software.

● Bank Reconciliations: Complete monthly reconciliations for all bank accounts, PayPal, Stripe and GoCardless, investigating and resolving discrepancies.

● Ledger Management: Maintain accurate and up-to-date purchase, sales, and general ledgers.

● Payment Processing: Prepare and process approved supplier payments and staff/volunteer expense claims, ensuring appropriate authorisation and supporting documentation.

● Credit Control: Monitor outstanding invoices and payments, follow up overdue accounts and escalate persistent or significant debts as appropriate.

● Supplier Invoice Processing: Receive, check and process supplier invoices, ensuring they are correctly allocated to the relevant project, department or budget and appropriately authorised before payment.

Fund Accounting & Income Management

● Restricted Funds: Track and allocate restricted grant and donated funds, ensuring expenditure complies with funder terms and conditions.

● Gift Aid Claims: Maintain accurate Gift Aid records and ensure compliance with HMRC requirements. Reconcile GoCardless transactions with supporter databases (RABBLE Rousers) and prepare and submit quarterly Gift Aid claims.

● Theatre Tax relief (TTR): Coordinate with the organisation's accountant on eligible Theatre Tax Relief claims, working with project leads to maintain accurate production cost records and provide supporting financial information.

● Grant Reporting: Support project leads with providing financial evidence packs and spend validation reports back to external institutional funders.

Payroll, Pensions & Tax

● Payroll Processing: Work with the payroll provider to support monthly payroll processing, ensuring statutory deductions are accurate.

● Pensions: Oversee pension administration and employer contributions for eligible employees.

● PAYE Administration: Support the onboarding of new PAYE staff by ensuring required payroll, tax and pension information is collected and accurately recorded.

Reporting & Audit Support

● Management Accounts: Assist project leads in preparing termly variance reports for leadership.

● Reporting: Prepare quarterly finance report for Trustee meetings

● Budget Tracking: Monitor organizational cash flow and alert leadership to potential financial risks.

● Year End Accounts: Liaise with the accountant/independent examiner during the annual independent examination, prepare supporting schedules and documentation, maintain audit-ready financial records, and provide financial information required for the statutory annual report and accounts.

🎓 Person Specification: Skills & Qualifications

Essential Requirements

● Experience: Minimum of 3 years’ experience in hands-on bookkeeping, finance administration or management accounting.

● Qualifications: Part-qualified ACCA/CIMA, AAT Level 3 or 4 qualified, or equivalent will be considered.

● Software Skills: High proficiency using cloud accounting software like Xero, QuickBooks, or Sage.

● Spreadsheets: Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel, including VLOOKUPs, pivot tables,data analysis and reporting.

● Values Alignment: A strong commitment to the charity's core mission and an understanding of donor fund stewardship.

Desirable Attributes

● Experience working in the charity, arts, culture or not-for-profit sector.

● Knowledge of Charity SORP requirements.

● Experience managing restricted and unrestricted funds.

● Experience preparing Gift Aid claims.

● Experience supporting audits or independent examinations.

● Knowledge of Theatre Tax Relief or other creative-sector tax incentives.

● Experience of VAT accounting within a charity environment, including an understanding of the VAT treatment of grants, donations and fundraising income.

Who are RABBLE?

We are a professional Theatre Company who commission and stage award winning productions. We also work in partnership with a range of communities from all over Reading, to deliver projects that inspire excellence, teach new skills and provide pathways to a career in the arts. 

We are looking for an experienced and organised Finance Officer to join our team and take responsibility for the day-to-day financial management of our charity.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys working with numbers but also understands that good charity finance is about much more than processing transactions. You will help us understand our financial position, make informed decisions about our resources and ensure that our funding is managed responsibly.

You will be responsible for the day-to-day running of our finances, including bookkeeping, payments and receipts, reconciliations, payroll liaison, budgeting, grant monitoring and producing regular management information. You will also support the preparation of year-end information and work with our external auditor as required.

We are a placed based health and wellbeing charity working to improve the lives of people in our communities. We are committed to making a meaningful difference and ensuring that our resources are used effectively and responsibly.

This is an opportunity to join an organisation where your work will have a direct impact. Good financial management enables us to deliver our work, meet our commitments to funders and make sustainable decisions about our future.

If you are looking for a role where you can use your financial skills in a supportive, purposeful organisation — and where your contribution will genuinely matter — we would love to hear from you.

We are seeking an experienced, commercially astute and forward-thinking Director of Finance to provide strategic leadership of the organisation's financial management, planning and governance. This is a pivotal executive leadership role responsible for ensuring financial sustainability, supporting organisational growth, driving operational excellence, and enabling the charity to maximise its impact.

The successful candidate will be a qualified finance professional (or qualified by experience) with extensive experience of financial leadership, budgeting, forecasting, financial control, and strategic planning. They will bring a proactive and innovative approach to financial management, identifying opportunities for organisational development, efficiency, improvement, and sustainable growth.

Ideally, candidates will have experience within the charity, not-for-profit or public sector environment and possess a strong understanding of charity accounting, governance and regulatory compliance.

Are you an accomplished finance executive looking to combine strategic financial leadership with meaningful climate impact?

We're seeking an exceptional Chief Financial Officer to join the executive team of a mission-driven international organisation working to accelerate the transition to a more sustainable, climate-resilient future. This is a rare opportunity to shape the financial future of a complex, multi-entity organisation as it evolves towards a more diversified and sustainable funding model.

As the organisation's senior finance leader, you will provide strategic oversight of finance while leading key enabling functions including funding operations and facilities. Working closely with the CEO, Board and Executive Leadership Team, you'll help drive organisational resilience, support informed decision-making and ensure robust governance across an international, remote-first environment.

We're looking for someone who can:

• Develop and deliver long-term financial strategy aligned to organisational growth, resilience and impact.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and financial performance across multiple entities.
• Strengthen financial resilience through effective governance, controls, risk management and commercial insight.
• Partner with executive leaders to support strategic investment decisions and organisational transformation.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams, fostering collaboration, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Enable high-quality financial reporting, data-driven decision making and operational excellence.

You'll bring:

• Significant experience as a CFO, Finance Director or equivalent within a complex, multi-entity organisation.
• A recognised professional accounting qualification.
• A track record of leading organisations through change, transformation or evolving funding and business models.
• Experience across multiple funding environments, ideally spanning institutional, commercial and/or philanthropic sectors.
• Strong commercial acumen combined with exceptional governance, leadership and stakeholder management skills.
• The ability to thrive in ambiguity while maintaining financial discipline and enabling innovation.

This role is ideal for a purpose-led finance leader who wants to apply their expertise to one of the defining challenges of our time. You'll join an ambitious, international organisation where financial leadership is central to enabling climate innovation, organisational resilience and long-term systems change.

Interested?

If you're an inspiring finance leader ready to shape the next chapter of a high-impact international organisation driving positive climate action, we'd love to hear from you.

Please apply with your CV and a covering letter outlining your suitability for the role. We will be interviewing on a rolling basis, as such an early application is highly recommended.

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