Group Accountant Jobs in London
Are you an experienced finance leader who is passionate about animal welfare?
We’re looking for a Head of Finance to lead and support our finance function for six months, ensuring that the organisation receives an excellent finance service.
About this role:
As Head of Finance, you will:
- take day-to-day responsibility for the finance and accounting functions, ensuring systems are working effectively, suppliers are paid, payroll is completed, and ensure the new finance system meets the needs of the organisation,
- line manage and develop a team of finance professionals, ensuring an effective financial service is provided to the organisation through their expertise, championing continuous improvement,
- be accountable for the effectiveness of the charity’s annual budgeting and forecasting, and contribute to the updating of our five-year strategic plan.
About you:
To be successful in this role, you will need to be an experienced, qualified accountant who is comfortable working in large, complex organisations. You’ll need the ability to lead a dynamic team of finance professionals, from day-to-day support to professional development. Stakeholder engagement is a big part of this role, so you should feel comfortable working across the organisation with different teams and ‘breaking down barriers’ to develop key relationships. A commitment to the aims and objectives of Dogs Trust is essential.
About Dogs Trust:
We love dogs. That’s why we do whatever we can to make sure every four-legged friend gets the love they deserve. We’ll never put a healthy dog down, so our work is focused on helping dogs in need, supporting owners every step of the walk, and creating a better world for dogs in the future. It’s what we’ve been doing since 1891 and how we’ve grown to become the UK’s leading dog charity, helping 12,000 loyal friends find their forever homes every year.
About this team:
The purpose of the Finance Department is to support the rest of Dogs Trust in achieving the strategic aims of the charity. They work to ensure financial (and non-financial) systems and controls function effectively and limit the exposure of the charity to related risks, providing accurate, timely financial information and of course, paying suppliers in a timely fashion.
Please note, this role is being offered as a six-month contract. A basic Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) and credit check will be required for this role.
To apply for this position please click the APPLY NOW button. Our application process requires you complete an application form and a covering letter explaining your interest and suitability for the role. Please note that we may close this vacancy early if we receive enough suitable interest, so to avoid disappointment early application is encouraged.
Dogs are incredibly diverse, much like the humans that love them! At Dogs Trust we value diversity and we're committed to fostering an inclusive culture. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and cultures and believe that a diverse workforce helps us to achieve our mission. Our colleague networks give our people a voice acting as vehicles for real and meaningful change within Dogs Trust. We truly want to see every candidate shine throughout the entire job application process, interview stages, and during their time with us. If there's anything on your mind or any adjustments you may need, don't hesitate to reach out to us. We're here to support you every step of the way.
Age UK are recruiting for a Finance Business Partner for our impactful Retail division.
Working as part of the FP&A - Retail team, this role is focussed around producing and delivering timely and accurate financial budgeting and analysis for the retail division which consists of ~270 charity shops across England and Wales with an annual turnover of ~£40m.
The purpose of the Retail Finance Business Partner role is to support the organisation in the delivery of strong performance and achievement of its financial objectives, through provision of insightful analysis and reporting, business intelligence and assessment of financial performance and risk.
This fantastic opportunity offers hybrid and flexible working between home and a central London co-working hub.
Please see job description for a full list of responsibilities.
Must haves:
* Professional accounting qualification - CIMA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent experience.
* Previous experience in a Business Partnering role with responsibility for the production of management information.
* Evidence of building successful working relationships externally and internally and at all levels of an organisation.
* Experience of working with staff at all levels of an organisation and with both financial and non-financial staff.
* Excellent IT skills, in particular Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint.
* Experience of working in a dynamic and commercially oriented organisation. Charity sector experience is not essential.
* Sound commercial judgement and confidence in challenging assumptions.
* Ability to assimilate and analyse financial data, interpreting it to support business decision making.
* Able to establish priorities and consistently deliver accurate, timely and relevant data to tight deadlines.
* Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, and excellent attention to detail.
* Excellent verbal and written skills with the ability to explain complex information to non-finance staff in a relevant and meaningful way.
Great to haves:
* Experience working with accounting packages. Saturn, Power BI, Jet and Navision an advantage but not essential.
* Experience of working in retail finance
What we offer in return
- Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
- Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, health cashback plan and EAP
- Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
- Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
- Blue Light Card Scheme
- You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.
Additional Information
All CVs will be anonymised by our recruitment system when you apply for a role at Age UK. Please note that our system is unable to anonymise cover letters, and we would therefore ask that to support the work we are doing on making our recruitment selection process fairer and more unbiased, that you remove any personal information from your cover letter/supporting statement, including your name before uploading this. All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us once you are invited for an interview.
Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. We guarantee an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum criteria under the Disability Confident Scheme. Please note that on occasion, due to high numbers of applications, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.
Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert at any time.
Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.
Job Purpose and Summary
- To provide strategic financial leadership through strategic planning and robust reporting to ensure financial sustainability and facilitate growth of the organisation in order to maximise impact, in line with charitable objectives.
- To act as company secretary and provide oversight of IT.
Responsible to CEO
Direct Reports 2-4 x Finance admin and 1 x IT
Location Remote, with minimum one day per week in office with team (location flexible)
Hours Flexible (as required to do job effectively).
% FTE 0.8 to 1.0 FTE
FTE salary range Senior Leadership Team Scale (£55-65k per annum)
Scope Across Bild Group (Bild, Bild Association of Certified Training and Restraint Reduction Network)
Key Responsibilities and Accountabilities
Responsible for:
- Financial oversight and leadership.
- Providing robust financial information to inform and improve operational management and decision making to further the charities’ objectives.
- Ensuring financial sustainability of the charity and facilitate growth and development to further charitable aims.
- Ensuring appropriate financial probity and controls in place.
- Financial planning including budgeting and forecasting.
- Financial reporting including monthly management accounts so that Directors and Trustees understand the financial health of the organisation.
- Financial compliance including with HMRC and Charity Commission.
- Facilitating Finance Sub Committee of the board, in coordination with Treasurer.
- Support Chair of Finance Sub Committee in providing assurance to the Trustees in relation to financial strategy, performance and financial sustainability.
- Effectively management of financial risks as part of organisational approach to risk management.
- Appraising the financial viability of plans, proposals, and feasibility studies.
- Monitoring and reporting on the financial health of the organisation.
- Oversight of and being responsible for the preparation and submission of all statutory financial accounts and returns.
- Ensuring effective Payroll function and Pension scheme.
- Effective procurement procedures to ensure services are best value for money.
- Ensuring effective financial audit.
- Maintaining positive and healthy cash position.
- Leading, with support from CEO, on commercial decisions including pricing.
- Identifying efficiencies to ensure the lean operation of the organisation.
- Timely completion of all Statutory returns.
Business:
- Act as Company Secretary supporting trustees to ensure all legal and statutory compliance with Charitable Articles and Charity Commission requirements.
- Oversight and continuous improvement of IT (and data) systems (with support from out-sourced IT support) to ensure efficient and effective workflow across the organisation.
- As business manager, lead on risk management and KPI dashboard reporting to trustees and Finance Sub Committee.
Person Specification
Qualifications
- Qualified accountant (CCAB/CIMA/ACCA) (essential)
Experience
- At least 5 years’ experience as an accountant (essential)
- At least 3 years’ senior leadership experience (essential)
- At least 3 years’ experience managing a staff team (essential)
- At least 3 years’ experience in registered charity OR health and social care (essential)
- At least 2 years’ experience of working at Board level (desirable)
- Significant experience of both accounting and financial management environment.
Competencies
- Proven ability to present financial information in accessible format.
- Proven ability to think and plan strategically and commercially.
- Proven ability to interpret financial reports and advise on any appropriate action required.
- Ability to communicate financial information clearly and accurately.
- Proven track record of facilitating growth and development.
- Proven track record of facilitating continuous improvement.
- Proven track record of successfully implementing new IT systems.
- Good understanding of IT systems including AccountsIQ (or equivalent finance systems) and Salesforce (or equivalent CRM system).
- Positive and solution focused thinking.
- High integrity and openness combined with commitment to good governance.
- Proven ability to develop positive relationships across the organisation and with external partners.
- Proven track record of effective collaborative and partnership working with CEO / Treasurer.
- Track record of effective leadership skills including as acting as a role model within an organisation, promoting positive culture and living the organisational values.
- A commitment to human rights and inclusion of people with disabilities.
- Demonstrate values congruent to Bild values.
Further information
- All staff at Bild are required to treat sensitive material confidentially and comply with data protection legislation.
- All staff working at Bild are required to read and comply with required policies, including health and safety policy.
- Job descriptions may be reviewed after 6-month probation and at annual performance review.
Application and Closing Date
Applications are invited by CV and covering letter.
Closing date is 5pm on Monday 27 May 2024
Equal Opportunities
Bild strives to be an equal opportunities employer. In working towards this aim no employee, or job applicant will receive less favourable treatment on the grounds of their role, gender, age, disability, race, nationality, ethnic or national origin, colour, sexual orientation, domestic circumstances, social and employment status, gender reassignment, privately held political opinion, trade union membership, religious or similar philosophical belief, or disadvantaged by conditions or requirements which cannot be shown to be justifiable.
Bild is committed to ensuring all employees have fair and non-discriminatory systems for recruiting or accessing training to enhance the development or promotion of staff.
Could you be our next Snow Camp London Programme Manager?
Since 2003, we have been harnessing the power of skiing & snowboarding to break down barriers, broaden horizons and address the biggest social issues facing underserved young people today.
The Programme Manager will deliver a personal development journey to young people using snowsports as the hook to engage those who are less likely to engage with mainstream provision. We do this in partnership with youth projects and youth service providers across London, running snowsports youth programmes from The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead.
This is a really exciting opportunity to play a key role in Snow Camp’s development in London. So, if you love working with young people and have solid experience delivering youth programmes, combined with a passion for snowsports – and if you are looking for a challenging and rewarding role working with a committed team of staff at Snow Camp and some amazing young people – this job could be the job for you!
Experience of working successfully with underserved young people in a range of settings will be essential to the post. Furthermore, experience within a snowsports field and passion for supporting young people generally will be a huge advantage!
Project management, logistical skills, relationship management, communication and presentation skills will all make up the job. Along with youth work experience to deliver life-skills or group workshops to motivate young people to work towards meaningful goals – these will all make up the job.
This is a key post requiring at least 2 years’ experience involving the above skills, together with proven project management and budgeting experience.
Job Description: Please download full JD & Personal spec below in the application resource section.
To Apply: Please send your CV and a covering letter telling us why you want to work for Snow Camp and how you meet the requirements of the job above.
Closing Date: Midday on Tuesday 11th June 2024
Interviews: Thursday 20th June 2024 at the Snow Camp London Office, Holloway Neighbourhood Group, 84 Mayton Street, London N7 6QT.
Salary: £30,000 per annum plus 10% bonus (£3000) paid in July each year = £33,000 total.
(In the first year the bonus is paid pro rata based on number of months worked up until July).
Since 2003, we have been harnessing the power of skiing & snowboarding to break down barriers, broaden horizons & raise aspirations for young people
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
I am excited to be working with an amazing London based disability charity in search of a Project Accountant on a 6-month FTC. You will be responsible for assisting the Financial Controller with the management and administration of the organisation’s finances.
You will manage a number of business-related and operational systems, processes, procedures and required controls across the organisations group of charities in the delivery of the charity’s services. You will play a key role in the Finance team and will work closely with departmental budget holders and other stakeholders in the organisation, performing a variety of finance tasks from bank reconciliations through to assisting with month end and year end processes and annual audits.
Main duties:
• To assist in the production of the monthly management accounts for the group.
• To process repayments, accruals, intercompany and other relevant month end journals.
• To reconcile Donation income
• To maintain the fixed assets register.
• To prepare Foundation bank reconciliation.
• To assist with the preparation of the annual accounts and liaising with auditors.
• To support the annual budgets cycle in liaison with managers and other budget holders..
• To assist with cash flow forecasting and monitoring.
• To assist with processing & reconciliation of online book sales and VAT returns for the group.
• To manage the organisation mobile phones contract.
• To assist with preparation of accounting records and supporting schedules for audit.
• To manage the Sales Ledgers and credit control function.
• To manage the Purchase Ledger.
• To provide financial information and advice to all staff.
If you have the above skills and experience and are immediately available, please apply online today, I would love to have a conversation with you!
As leading charity recruitment specialists and a certified B Corp™, Harris Hill is committed to high and ever-improving standards of equitable and inclusive recruitment. We actively welcome applications from all sections of the community regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality and other protected characteristics.
My client is a prestigious organisation that seeks to support an integral part of UK’s medical profession. With a diverse business model they provide a huge range of services to its members and seek to influence NHS policy and direction for the benefit of all. The organisation is recruiting a Technical Accountant to play a pivotal role in the implementation of Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Operations.
- You will be Technical Accounting Lead for the development and transition to Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Operations from the current on-premise system. Due for delivery in mid-2025, your role will be to ensure that the D365 F&O system set up and internal control framework are delivered to accommodate the reporting requirements for a Charity.
- The implementation of Microsoft Dynamics D365 with its scope and functionality will allow the Charty to deliver on its ambitions to reach an international audience, it will be your role to ensure that the system can deliver and account for international transactions. Other technical area’s we will be looking to use your expertise will be in Investments and Pensions.
- As the Technical Accountant you will ensure the system build complies with current group reporting standards and will adapt to the upcoming changes to FRS 102. You will also provide assurance that the internal control environment within the D365 F&O system are robust, fit for purpose and will meet the external and internal audit requirements.
This post is an excellent career opportunity for a qualified Accountant who wants to have an influential role in a large transformation programme from the discovery phase all the way through to implementation.
In their search for two new Management Accountants on a permanent basis. The National Archives are a non-ministerial department, and the official archive and publisher for the UK Government, and for England and Wales. We are the guardians of over 1,000 years of iconic national documents.
Operating within the Management Accounting team, the role holder will act as a Management Accountant for the business area(s) for which they are made responsible. Working directly with budget holders / project owners, Heads of Department and Directors, they will manage all aspects of their management accounting and financial planning services providing incisive, value-add financial support and analysis which facilitates effective decision making.
The organisation:
We are expert advisers in information and records management and we work with partner across the cultural, academic and heritage sectors. We fulfil a leadership role for the archive sector and work to secure the future of physical and digital records. We collect and secure the future of the government record, from Shakespeare’s will to tweets from Downing Street, to preserve it for generations to come.
The role:
- Be responsible for the provision of timely, accurate, relevant management information to all levels of management within assigned Directorate(s), regularly reviewing this information with the senior management team. This will include provision of monthly reports, critical review of results, value-add analysis, explanation of variances and early identification of potential issues / opportunities.
- Proactively provide improvements to procedures, applying sound judgement based on knowledge and experience.
- Be responsible for providing analysis that informs and supports effective decision making
- Apply various tools such as investment appraisal techniques to better inform decision making.
- Support the business in gathering evidence to assess the costs, benefits and risks of a wide range of delivery options when making commercial decisions, and provide advice which helps secure value-for-money (vfm).
- Support the business in the development of detailed business cases.
- Build strong and positive relationships with budget holders and senior managers (notably heads of Departments), providing the necessary assistance and professional advice to assist them with the financial aspects of their duties.
The successful candidate will:
- Be a fully qualified Accountant.
- Have strong analytical skills, able to identify and interpret trends and improve financial forecasting
- Have the ability to understand the strategic business goals of an organisation, able to ‘look beyond the numbers’ and understand the wider business context.
- Be a team player, with exceptional interpersonal skills, able to work with a diverse and broad range of stakeholders across the organisation. Demonstrable ability to influence.
- Have good written and oral communication skills, able to communicate clearly, concisely, accurately and in ways that promote understanding but stands ground when needed
- Have strong finance system skills including advanced Excel skills
Desirable criteria:
- An understanding of accounting policy and an appreciation of the implications for an organisation of Government legislation and accounting standards
This position will be based officially at the head office in Kew and will require the postholder to work from the office three days a week.
Applications will be under constant review before the closing date, so please apply via the link or contact Katie Moore at our retained search agent, Robertson Bell. Please note the closing date for applications is Sunday 9th June 2024.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Systems Accountant (15-month Fixed Term Contract)
Hours: 35 hours per week (flexible working required, occasional travel within the UK with overnight stays).
Do you want to lead a major finance transformation project?
Are you a Systems Accountant looking to play a pivotal role in our exciting Finance Transformation project. In this 15-month fixed-term contract, you'll be the Group's Finance Transformation Lead, guiding us as they transition from their current on-premise systems to Microsoft Dynamics 365 Finance and Operations (D365 F&O).
Supportive Benefits as Systems Accountant you will receive will include:
- Generous Time Off: Up to 32 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional days for Christmas break (pro-rated for part-time).
- Supportive Leave Options: Maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.
- Invest in Your Wellbeing: Award-winning health and wellness programs.
- Continuous Learning: Broad range of learning and development opportunities.
As Systems Accountant you will:
- Lead and collaborate with the Finance team, Project team and third-party implementer to design and implement a robust D365 F&O system.
- Develop the internal control framework, Chart of Accounts, and other data structures for the new system.
- Work closely with the implementation team to create a suite of financial reports and dashboards.
- Support data cleansing, conversion, and migration from our current systems to D365 F&O.
- Lead the development and standardisation of future-state end-to-end Finance processes for the Group.
- Train the Finance team on D365 functionalities and reporting.
- Utilise your expertise to support the wider Finance team throughout the project
Your experience and attributes will include:
- To be a qualified accountant with experience in a similar role.
- Proven experience with D365 F&O and Power BI.
- Excellent project management and communication skills.
- The ability to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively across teams.
- A meticulous eye for detail and a commitment to accuracy.
The closing date for applications is June 1st, please submit your CV to [email protected] if your qualifications, experience and attributes align with this role and I will be in touch for an initial conversation should your application be sucsesfull.
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.
A well-established Housing Association in London is looking to take on a Treasury and Management Accountant (focus on the Treasury) for the next 3 months at first.
This organisation enables tenants and communities to thrive whilst also providing great support to their employees. They have award winning ways of engaging with residents and provide homes that people feel happy and safe to live in. It is an interesting role and comes with the flexibility of being fully remote.
Responsibilities:
- Manage treasury facilities, including cash flow forecasting, liquidity management, and working capital optimisation for the group.
- Liaise with bankers and investors, maintain positive relationships, ensure accurate reporting to stakeholders, and identify potential treasury risks.
- Produce monthly and long-term cash flow forecasts, alongside conducting sensitivity analysis on group liquidity.
- Oversee arrangements with valuers for various valuations
- Ensure the property security register is up-to-date, advising on cost implications of property regeneration, preparing quarterly reports for the security trustee and Business Partners, and coordinating with legal teams for adding or releasing properties from the security portfolio.
Requirements:
- Strong Treasury and Cash Flow knowledge
- Housing Association/Charity or Not for Profit background
- Ambitious with the ability to take the lead on Treasury
- Good communication skills
If this role sounds of interest, please apply ASAP as the role is urgent.
In our company values we aim for equity at all stages of the recruitment process, please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.
Would you like to be part of an organisation changing lives through work?
A royal College is seeking a passionate and detail-oriented Technical Accountant to join their team for a 15-month fixed-term contract.
In this role, you'll play a pivotal role in transforming the RCN's financial systems, ensuring a smooth transition from the current on-premise Open Accounts systems to Microsoft Dynamics Finance and Operations (D365 F&O).
Supportive Benefits as Technical Accountant you will receive will include:
- Generous Time Off: Up to 32 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and additional days for Christmas break (pro-rated for part-time).
- Supportive Leave Options: Maternity, adoption, paternity, and shared parental leave packages.
- Invest in Your Wellbeing: Award-winning health and wellness programs.
- Continuous Learning: Broad range of learning and development opportunities.
- As the Group's Technical Accounting Lead, you'll be responsible for:
As Technical Accountant your day-to-day tasks will include:
- Leading the development and implementation of D365 F&O, ensuring it meets the reporting needs of our unique structure - a Trade Union, Charity, and Trading Subsidiaries organisation.
- Configuring the system to accommodate our partial exemption VAT rules and support international transactions.
- Working collaboratively with the project team, Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), and external implementers to ensure a robust and compliant financial system.
- Designing and testing the system's functionality for accurate reporting, encompassing Group Statutory Accounts, Quarterly VAT Returns, Trade Union Returns, and Business-as-usual (BAU) requirements.
- Guaranteeing the system's internal control framework adheres to external and internal audit standards.
- Transferring your knowledge to the BAU team for a seamless transition.
As Technical Accountant you will be/ have:
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
- Extensive experience with technical accounting principles and a strong understanding of Group reporting standards (UK GAAP and upcoming FRS 102).
- Proven experience in implementing and configuring accounting systems (preferably D365 F&O)
- Meticulous attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
The closing date for applications ais 1ST June, please submit you CV to if your qualifications, skills and experience aligns with this role and you would like to be considered for submission.
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.
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Actively Interviewing
This organisation is scheduling interviews as the applications come in. Don’t miss your opportunity, apply now!
The Access Foundation is focused on making a real difference to people’s lives by awarding grants to charities which make a valuable and measurable positive impact. Our grant giving objectives fall into three categories:
-
to mitigate the digital divide by making computing facilities, support and learning available to disadvantaged and vulnerable people
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to advance the charitable causes of the registered charities which are chosen as the "Access Group Company Charities of the Year"
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to advance the charitable causes of charities for whom there is a strong emotional connection with a member of staff (e.g. through support they or a close relative have received from the charity)
The Foundation aims to achieve this via a fund from which it awards grants to other charitable organisations aligned with the principles above. You are a key member or the team that works towards our target to award grants to a total value of +/- £2 million each year.
The Access Foundation was set up in 2021 following the success and growth enjoyed by The Access Group over the previous decade. While affiliated with The Access Group in terms of its identity, The Access Foundation is a separate organisation, governed by an independent board of trustees and with its own objectives and goals.
The Access Foundation wants to fund projects and activities that make a real difference to people’s lives in the countries the Access group is active.To achieve our objectives, we are looking to appoint an experienced Operations Manager to help run and improve our operational processes.
Job objectives
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Support the trustees in the due diligence and evaluation of each applicant and facilitate the decision-making process for each application
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Support the ongoing evaluation process of all successful applicants and ensure agreed measures and outcomes are reported back to the Foundation in a timely manner
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Manage the external communication of the Foundation’s successes back to stakeholders and supporters, as well as other channels on social media, such as Instagram and LinkedIn
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Manage the communication with the Access Group and maintain an open channel of communication with the charities team at the Access group
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Manage the Admin and Grants Assistant and ensure all Admin processes as well as operational processes are running smoothly and make changes where required
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Manage the use of the accounting package Access Financials to ensure processes are followed and grantees paid on time.
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Oversee the data collation for and write the impact report
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Collaborate and work with the trustees and volunteers
Duties and responsibilities will include
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Write regular reports to the trustees of new applications, applications in progress and outcomes, inform and advise the trustees to achieve a swift decision on all cases
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Organise the publicity and communications around each successful grant, including newsfeeds, social media and website updates.
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Liase with the Access Marketing team to support their own comms
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Ensure financial accounts are accurate and complete
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Liase with 3rd parties such as external suppliers and partners ranging from auditors to our financial partners
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Draft Offer letters for the successful applicants
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Recruit, Manage and Appraise the Admin and Grant Assistant
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Attend trustees, volunteers and applications meetings
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Manage the access controls for volunteers and staff
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Oversee the financial accounts, approve invoices on our bespoke Finance system and deal with some financial accounting together with our Chair of the board of trustees
Skills and Experience Required
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Organised, efficient and reliable with the ability to juggle multiple tasks simultaneous
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A minimum of 2 years' experience in a similar role
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Strong interpersonal skills, with the ability to build positive relationships at all levels from junior to CEO
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Computer literate with good knowledge of Excel, Word and Outlook.
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The ability to be an ambassador for the Foundation to all external parties and stakeholders
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Strong verbal and written communication skills
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Ability to travel to London as required (minimum once every 6 weeks)
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Sympathy for grassroot charities
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Experience of the charity sector
The Access Foundation is focused on making a real difference to people’s lives by awarding grants to charities which make a valuable & positive impact
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Interim Head of Finance | 3 Month + | £300 - £350 per day (outside IR35) | Hybrid | Croydon
For a small but vital refugee charity, we are recruiting an Interim Head of Finance for 3 + months, starting ASAP. Reporting to the CEO, the main accountabilities will focus on providing insightful monthly management accounts and reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees / Board, and to ensure the correct allocation of expenditure to a high number of grant funds. This role will oversee the Finance Assistant and the day-to-day finance transactions, including expenses, payroll, and balance sheet reconciliations.
Main Duties:
- Produce regular management accounts and financial reporting
- Support the Leadership Team, Finance Committee and Board with long-term financial planning
- Lead and review budgeting, reforecasting and cashflow management
- Review and re-negotiate all contracts, including office premises, IT, grants, and services
- Oversee the Finance Assistants day-to-day work including transactions and payroll processing
- Work with the Head of Fundraising and Senior Leadership to ensure income generation and fundraising strategy is in line with long-term goals
What will you bring to this role?
- Qualified Accountant or QBE with solid experience
- Strong knowledge and experience of Charity SORP, Grant funding and restricted and unrestricted funding
- Strong experience of management accounts and reporting within a small but complex charity organisation including budget preparation and year-end accounting and Audit
- Strong IT skills including Xero and Excel
- Experience of contracts, facilities management, HR processes and IT would be desirable
- Solid experience of managing and motivating staff
________
As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.
Senior Finance Manager | £60,000 - £64,600 | Permanent | Fully Remote / Home Based
For the UK's largest not-for-profit social enterprise in the employment and social mobility sector, we are recruiting a Senior Finance Manager. This role will provide high quality financial information and analysis to senior managers and external stakeholders supporting decision-making. This is a highly commercial role, which is key in ensuring service quality is maximised, and financial performance targets are achieved. The Senior Finance Manager will lead a team of 4 and will suit someone happy to work fully remotely whilst developing excellent relationships across a large, multi-location organisation.
Main Duties:
- Budgeting and Cost Control - Lead divisional budget setting and forecasting process
- Coordinate monthly key variance summary in financial performance and KPIs for senior management
- Interpret and present complex financial information to non-finance managers, supporting decision-making and improvements to budget and forecast performance
- Financial Reporting - Maintain robust financial controls across the division and coordinate the audit process with the financial reporting team. Preparation of year end accounts, liaising with auditors
- Lead the team to produce external financial returns to funders, dealing with queries
- Financial Analysis - Support business planning process, and short- and medium-term financial targets
- Lead the production of the multi-year financial forecast with the FP&A team
- Lead in planning and managing the year-end accounts closedown process
- Lead and develop workflows to ensure month-end processes are robust
- Work with Project Accounting team to provide finance support in costing, pricing, and tendering of new business opportunities
- Lead and motivate a team of Finance Managers and Management Accountants
Person Specification:
- CCAB Qualified
- Substantial experience of working at senior level in financial management across a complex organisation
- Experience leading and motivating a team
- Experience leading strategic work streams supporting annual accounting cycle and longer-term financial planning requirements
- Experience of financial planning, costing, and option / investment appraisals
- Experience of budgeting, planning, reporting, and supporting budget holders
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As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.
Location: Bromley by Bow - Hybrid
Job Type: up to 35hours per week (with some degree of flexibility). our client are encouraging applications from individuals looking for a part time role (with a minimum of 0.6FT)
Contract Type: Permanent
Salary: £58,000 per annum
Benefits: Competitive
The Head of Finance is responsible for ensuring that the finances of the Centre are managed efficiently and effectively to support the delivery of services in line with our clients ambitions.
Over the years the Centre has developed a highly diverse set of services and activities that support a broad range of community needs. These services are funded through a wide range of income sources and delivered in a complex set of arrangements and through many different partnerships.
The Head of Finance has centre-wide responsibilities and plays a key role in ensuring effective service delivery and sound financial management of the organisation as a whole.
This role needs to promote a positive culture of collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity across the organisation and with external stakeholders and support the development of innovative, inspiring and viable service propositions.
As a member of the senior leadership team this role will play a key role in continuing to develop both the strategic direction and internal culture of the organisation, specifically driving forward our clients commitment to being a truly antiracist and inclusive organisation and creating space for honest conversations and feedback.
You may also have experience in the following: Head of Finance, Finance Director, Finance Manager, Group Finance Director, Accountant, Qualified Accountant, Management Accountant, Financial Accountant, Financial Controller, Director of Finance, CIMA, ACCA, AAT, etc.
REF-213 045
The Task Ahead: Finance Manager
As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.
As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.
The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!
Areas of Responsibility
The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:
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Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.
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Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.
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Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.
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Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.
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Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.
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Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.
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Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.
Person Specification
Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:
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Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.
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Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.
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Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.
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Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.
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Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.
Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences:
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Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.
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Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.
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Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.
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Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself.
Why Work for The Difference?
Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children.
Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.
Our Organisation
The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning. By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.
The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.
Our Values
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High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves. We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis.
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Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.
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Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/
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Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them. We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.
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Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions.
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Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.
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Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.
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Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times.
How To Apply
To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.
First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.
If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green.
We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates.
As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.
Recommended Reading
If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:
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The research which underpins our organisation.
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Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.