Grant accountant jobs in Edinburgh

We are looking for a part-time, UK-based Finance Manager who wants to work flexible hours from home and be a key member of a small, but influential, charity that helps museums work with the information that connects collections and audiences. This is an exciting time for the organisation, as we work to transform how UK museums manage and understand their collections and transform research on museum collections.

Salary: £45,125 FTE, equating to £27,075 pro-rata

Contract: Permanent, part-time contract, 0.6 FTE

Location: Home-based within UK

Hours: 22.2 hours per week, potentially worked flexibly

Leave: 32.5 days annually FTE (including bank holidays), equating to 19.5 days annually pro-rata.

Deadline for applications: Noon, Tuesday 12 May 2026

Interviews: Online, 2 June 2026

To Apply

Application is by CV and a covering letter that succinctly explains how you meet the essential and desirable criteria set out in the person specification. Please note that applications from people based outside the UK and/or without the right to work here will not be considered.

Aims and scope of the post

The aim of this post is to ensure sound financial management to support the organisation’s ongoing charitable work. The Finance Manager is responsible for CT’s financial strategy, timely and accurate financial administration, maintenance of financial and management accounts, as well as cash flow, stock control, payroll and pension.

Responsibilities and tasks

Budgeting and forecasting

• Produce annual budgets, quarterly reforecasts, and scenario models for the organisation budget.
• Support budget forecasting for project tenders, ensuring due diligence and financial viability.

Reporting

• Produce quarterly management accounts, including variance reports, analysis by income streams, and cashflow forecasts.
• Prepare and present financial reports for the quarterly board meetings and biannual audit committee meeting.
• Produce minutes of the audit committee meetings and contribute to the minutes of board meetings.
• Complete statutory reporting to Companies House, the Charity Commission and HMRC.
• Submit the relevant reports to funders to ensure timely receipt of grant payments.

Financial management

• Process supplier invoices and carry out twice-monthly payment runs.
• Raise customer invoices for consultancy work, licensing agreements, training, and other income due.
• Carry out credit control for overdue customer invoices.
• Manage payroll, including monthly payments to HMRC, payroll year end, and pension contributions.
• Manage CT bank accounts, including weekly monitoring of transactions and income matching, managing bank mandates and online access.
• Manage company credit cards, ensuring strong controls and adequate accounting for individual cardholders’ usage.
• Respond to financial queries from customers, suppliers, funders and staff members.
• Manage grant receipts.
• Oversee the retail function, responding to queries and issues regarding sales of items through the CT online shop.
• Oversee the purchase ordering system.

Accounting

• Carry out monthly bank account and credit card reconciliations.
• Complete month-end procedures, including processing accruals, prepayments and depreciation.
• Maintain the fixed asset register and inventory list.
• Ensure accurate accounting for restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Complete quarterly VAT returns, ensuring the correct VAT treatment for all transactions (specifically regarding business/non business, and irrecoverable VAT designations).
• Complete year-end procedures and prepare draft statutory accounts for audit, together with schedules to support the figures and workings in the statutory accounts.
• Act as the main point of contact to external auditors, providing all required information.

Risk management

• Lead on maintaining the organisation’s strategic risk register.
• Ensure adequate annual insurance.
• Regularly review the reserves policy to ensure that it meets the needs of the organisation.
• Carry out regular reviews of systems, procedures and financial controls to ensure they are fit for purpose.

Line management

• This role does not line manage any staff

General responsibilities

• Following the principles of Collections Trust’s policies and procedures.
• Additional duties as may reasonably be required from time to time.

Line management

The Finance Manager reports directly to the Chief Executive.

Person specification

Collections Trust is committed to encouraging equality, diversity and inclusion among our workforce, and eliminating unlawful discrimination. The aim is for our workforce to be truly representative of all sections of society and our sector, and for each employee to feel respected and able to give their best.

Please note that the Finance Manager will need to have the right to work in the UK.

Essential knowledge, skills and qualities

• A part-qualified accountant or equivalent knowledge gained through relevant experience.
• Three years’ experience in a similar role, ideally in the charity sector.
• Strong ICT skills including relevant accounting software and Microsoft Office 365 (particularly Excel).
• Ability to write clear and concise board reports, with the ability to communicate complex financial information to a non-financial audience.
• An excellent eye for detail and consistency.
• Honesty and integrity.
• Enthusiasm, flexibility and proactive approach.

Desirable knowledge, skills and qualities

• A working knowledge of Xero or comparable accounting software.
• Familiarity with appropriate charity accounting practices (SORP regulations).
• Autonomy and ability to work effectively under own initiative.
• Strong verbal communications skills, able to convey financial information to a non-financial audience.
• Good organisational skills.
• Ability to work well within a team and manage others effectively.
• Commitment to ongoing personal and professional development.
• An understanding of relevant retail and/or consultancy operations.

About Us:

At Future CFO, we're committed to excellence in financial consulting, offering bespoke solutions to our clients who are predominantly in the not for profit and social impact space. As a forward-thinking organization, we're looking for a dynamic Finance Manager to join our senior management team. The Finance Manager will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of Future CFO clients. This includes financial planning, budgeting, reporting, analysis, strategic decision-making and donor reporting. The Finance Manager is responsible for managing, supervising, and directing financial activities that our charity clients buy into. Other duties include strategic support and advisory to the management personnel and their Board members ensuring finances are used beneficially, developing the financial strategy, assessing investments, and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have Non Profit and NGO experience and possess a blend of strong financial accounting skills and the ability to manage complex month-end processes across clients that are based globally. The individual will possess excellent communication abilities to liaise effectively with various teams and clients. They will be confident and a self-starter with excellent people skills, possess a passion for growth and create a powerful and connected team culture.

Before you apply

We’d encourage you to take a good look through the role responsibilities and person specification before applying. This is a broad and impactful role, so we’re looking for someone who can demonstrate strong experience across many of these areas and make sure your application brings this to life. We are also open to considering contractors with equivalent experience.

Please note that this role will primarily involve working with a client based in the United States. As such, candidates must be comfortable accommodating time zone differences and working flexible hours where required to support client needs.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process across all programmes and country offices, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and funding requirements

• Develop and maintain robust financial models, including forecasts and scenario planning

• Produce regular forecasts (income, expenditure, and cash flow), highlighting risks and opportunities

• Partner with budget holders to ensure accountability and ownership of financial plans

Management Reporting & Financial Performance

• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate monthly management accounts

• Deliver clear variance analysis with meaningful insights for decision-making

• Develop and enhance management reporting to improve visibility across programmes, grants, and geographies

• Present financial performance to senior leadership and non-finance stakeholders in an accessible way

Financial Accounting, Month-End & Audit

• Oversee and ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end close processes

• Maintain integrity of the general ledger, including review of journals, accruals, and prepayments

• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled regularly and supported by appropriate documentation

• Lead the year-end audit process, acting as the primary point of contact for external auditors

• Prepare statutory accounts and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and local regulations

• Continuously improve financial processes, controls, and systems

Reserves & Cash Flow Management

• Support the development and management of organisational reserves in line with policy and strategic objectives

• Monitor and manage cash flow across entities, ensuring sufficient liquidity at all times

• Identify financial risks and propose mitigation strategies, particularly in relation to funding gaps

• Provide recommendations on reserves utilisation and financial sustainability

Grant & Donor Financial Management

• Oversee financial management of grants, ensuring budgets are accurate, compliant, and aligned with donor requirements

• Support proposal budgeting in collaboration with fundraising and programme teams

• Ensure timely and accurate donor financial reporting, including variance analysis and narrative explanations

• Maintain strong oversight of grant spend, ensuring compliance with funding agreements

• Act as a key finance business partner to programme teams on grant delivery

Financial Governance & Controls

• Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with internal policies and external regulations

• Support organisational audits and ensure audit readiness across all funding streams

• Maintain and improve financial policies, procedures, and systems

• Promote best practice in financial management across country teams

Strategic Finance & Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic finance partner to country directors and senior leadership

• Provide financial insight to support organisational strategy and growth

• Strengthen financial processes, tools, and reporting in a complex, multi-entity environment

• Build financial capability across non-finance teams

Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

• Fully qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

• Minimum 5-6 years experience in a senior finance role, ideally within the non-profit, international development, or grant-funded sector

• Proven experience managing budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes

• Strong experience of grant and donor financial management and reporting

• Experience leading month-end and year-end processes, including external audits

• Experience working across multiple entities, countries, or complex organisational structures is highly desirable

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of financial accounting principles and controls

• Excellent financial modelling, budgeting, and forecasting skills

• Ability to interpret and present complex financial data clearly to non-finance stakeholders

• Knowledge of donor compliance requirements and restricted funding environments

• Experience with finance systems and advanced Excel (or equivalent tools i.e. quickbooks, xero, etc.)

• Strong understanding of cash flow management and reserves planning

Leadership & Business Partnering

• Proven ability to act as a strategic finance partner to senior stakeholders

• Experience working collaboratively with non-finance teams (e.g. programmes, fundraising, operations)

• Ability to influence decision-making through clear financial insight

• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with the confidence to challenge where appropriate

Personal Attributes

• High level of integrity and accountability

• Strong attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture

• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities

• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal

• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment

• A collaborative and supportive team player with a hands-on approach

Desirable

• Experience in a multi-country or decentralised organisation

• Experience working with outsourced finance providers or shared service models

• Familiarity with international compliance, local regulations, and different accounting frameworks

• Interest in or commitment to the organisation’s mission and impact 

What We Offer

Purpose & Impact

• The opportunity to play a key role in a mission-driven organisation, contributing to meaningful and measurable impact

• A chance to shape and strengthen financial strategy in a growing, international environment

Professional Growth & Influence

• A highly visible role with exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making

• Opportunity to lead and improve financial systems, processes, and ways of working

• Scope to develop and broaden your experience in a complex, multi-country, grant-funded environment

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary 

• Pension contribution for permanent staff and FTC

• Annual leave for permanent staff and FTC

Flexibility & Work Environment

• Flexible and hybrid working arrangements

• A supportive and collaborative team culture

• Commitment to work-life balance

Wellbeing & Culture

• A values-driven organisation with a strong sense of purpose

• Inclusive and diverse working environment

• Employee wellbeing initiatives and support

International Exposure

• Opportunity to work with colleagues across multiple countries and cultures

• Involvement in international programmes and funding landscapes