Head of finance jobs in Bermondsey, greater london

You will hold an integral role at the DEC for accurately and efficiently managing DEC’s accounting function, ensuring compliance with charity and donor regulations. You will oversee budgeting, grant management, and donor reporting with transparency and accuracy. You will provide financial insights to support cross organisational projects and program delivery and hold a key role in developing and implementing financial strategies that align with our vision and strategic planning.

About You

You will be a confident communicator, who can engage with diverse internal & external stakeholders, including funders and partners, creating a collaborative approach to meet varying commitments. You must be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with senior finance leadership experience in the non-profit or NGO sector and demonstrate strong understanding of charity accounting standards and donor compliance requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Processes

• Ensure accurate income/expenditure recording, bank reconciliations, and daily donation processing.
• Manage monthly accounting routines, prepare management accounts, and lead budget/forecast reviews.
• Coordinate annual and strategic budgeting, financial reporting, and analysis.
• Oversee income reconciliation across multiple streams and liaise with fundraising teams.
• Review and process drawdown payments to member agencies.
• Maintain and update accounting systems and support procurement processes.

Financial Controls

• Lead annual accounts preparation and audits; ensure regulatory compliance.
• Manage pension schedules and benefits compliance.
• Ensure tax compliance (VAT, Corporation Tax, Employment Taxes).
• Audit gift aid claims and maintain robust financial control environment.
• Update financial policies, procedures, and systems, support due diligence standards.

Financial Analysis & Reporting

• Oversee appeal finances, income tracking, and fund allocation.
• Coordinate governance processes (e.g., Indicator of Capacity) with member agencies.
• Monitor legacy income and liaise with fundraising/legal teams.
• Deliver annual report and accounts; produce reports for executive team and committees.

Leadership & Team Management

• Deputise for the Director of Finance and Resources.
• Prepare papers for finance committees and membership groups.
• Oversee finance team members and provide leadership support.

If you have used Sun Accounts (Infor SunSystems Cloud) or similar, have worked within a UK charity context and dealt with restricted funds, have prepared budgets, annual accounts and monitored cash flow and treasury management, then we would love to hear from you.

The DEC is an equal opportunities employer and provides opportunities to learn and grow in an inclusive, supportive, and productive environment. We encourage applications from anyone who can meet the criteria, regardless of gender, race, age, disability, sexuality, or religion.

How to apply

If you have the skills and passion for this role, please apply by 9am, Thursday 29th January 2026.

We are unable to support applications for our vacancies if you do not have the right to work in the UK.

The DEC is committed to the safeguarding and protection of children and vulnerable adults and participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from successful applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. 

By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of, and consent, to these recruitment procedures.

About the DEC

The DEC is made up of 15 member charities who are experts in humanitarian aid and specialise in different areas of disaster response. They come together to speak in one voice and make fundraising more efficient when we launch an appeal. Our members fund our running costs, and we give them back the money we raise in our appeals to carry out their vital work.

Interim Head of Finance
Location: London (hybrid)
Contract: Interim – immediate start
Duration: 3 months (with potential extension)

A complex, research-led organisation within the charity / higher education sector is seeking an Interim Head of Finance to start immediately. This is a hands-on role, providing technical leadership and stability during a period of change.

Key responsibilities
• Lead technical accounting and financial reporting, ensuring compliance with relevant standards
• Oversee the year-end process and act as the main point of contact for auditors
• Provide hands-on leadership to the finance team, ensuring continuity and delivery
• Support the implementation or stabilisation of a new ERP system
• Review and strengthen financial controls and processes
• Provide clear financial advice to senior stakeholders

Person specification
• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong technical accounting background, ideally within charity or higher education
• Experience of ERP implementation or major finance systems change
• Available to start immediately or at short notice

Head of Finance

Salary: £56,000 – £60,000

Permanent, Full-time

Hybrid working – London-based

Location: Central London

A respected UK-based humanitarian organisation is seeking a Head of Finance to lead its finance function at a critical and high-impact time. This is a senior leadership role within a small but influential organisation that plays a central role in coordinating large-scale responses to international humanitarian emergencies.

This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant to provide strategic financial leadership in a fast-paced, values-driven environment where financial stewardship directly supports life-saving work around the world.

About the Role

Reporting to the Director of Finance & Resources, the Head of Finance will be responsible for overseeing all financial processes, controls, analysis and reporting across the organisation. You will lead a small finance team and ensure the accuracy, integrity and transparency of financial information, while supporting senior leadership, trustees and external stakeholders.

The organisation experiences significant fluctuations in income during emergency appeals, and this role plays a key part in ensuring financial readiness, strong governance and effective allocation of funds. You will oversee budgeting for both core activities and large-scale appeals, manage audits and statutory reporting, and provide clear financial insight to inform strategic decision-making.

This role combines operational oversight with strategic influence and requires someone comfortable working in a dynamic environment with high levels of accountability and public scrutiny.

Key Priorities in Your First Six Months

• Oversee month-end, quarterly and year-end financial reporting and management accounts
• Lead budgeting and forecasting for core activities, appeals and longer-term strategic planning
• Ensure strong financial controls, compliance and audit readiness
• Manage appeal-related financial processes, including income tracking and allocations
• Prepare high-quality financial papers for committees, trustees and senior leadership
• Support donor, regulator and statutory reporting requirements
• Lead, motivate and develop the finance team, setting clear standards and priorities
• Deputise for the Director of Finance & Resources as required

About You

We are seeking an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified accountant.

You will bring:

• Strong experience in financial leadership, reporting and control in complex organisations
• Sound knowledge of charity accounting standards and regulatory compliance
• Experience managing audits, budgets and financial governance processes
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• A collaborative leadership style with experience managing and developing teams
• Resilience and adaptability in fast-moving, high-pressure environments
• A strong sense of integrity, accountability and commitment to mission-driven work
• You will be comfortable balancing operational detail with strategic thinking and motivated by contributing to work that supports communities affected by crisis.

Reports to: CEO, sits on Senior Management team with CEO and Head of Advice (HOA)

Responsible for: Finance officer and Executive Admin Assistant

Location: Hybrid (Remote based but with attendance required at key events and meetings in London).

Role Purpose
To lead on finance, governance and resources at SMT, providing senior insight on strategy and development. This role requires initiative, flexibility, a willingness to support colleagues across the organization, and strong organisational and communication skills,  including board reporting, leadership on finance reporting to the SMT and board with the ability to manage complex, detailed analysis. This role is well suited to someone aspiring to move into wider senior management; we place high value on ambition and a strong commitment to development within a high-performing organisation at Citizens Advice Lewisham.

Key Responsibilities
Finance Management: Manage income against expenditure with the CEO and HOA. Prepare management reports, budgets and forecasts, annual accounts and manage the audit and trustee annual report process. Provide strategic insight to the SMT on finance.

Governance and compliance: Manage the preparation of agendas, minutes, actions, board meetings, governance calendar and regulatory submissions, also ensuring that LSA obligations are met through scheduling review and approval by trustees on an annual basis.

Support systems Management: Oversee support to day-to-day operations, ensuring the team have the equipment and operating systems necessary to meet all obligations and objectives.

Management:  manage the Executive Assistant and Finance Officer.

Manage external contracts: Working with the CEO and HOA, ensure all contracts are fit for purpose and are good value for money and are delivering agreed outputs.

IT and phone systems: Manage the provision of IT services and our internal systems, building effective relationships with providers and ensuring continued and effective operations are available to the team.

SMT strategy: Providing strategic insight to the SMT on potential risks and opportunities for development across all areas of the role.

HR: Manage all HR functions including grievances, wellbeing, disciplinary, recruitment and onboarding. Working with the CEO to manage consultations with the union. Monitor and report to SMT and board on these areas.

Communication: Foster effective communication with colleagues and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and collaboration and accountability.

Flexibility and Support: Demonstrate flexibility, ownership and collaboration to ensure smooth service delivery across the organisation.

Any other relevant administrative and support duties required to ensure the smooth running of the bureau.

Important Notice: Before you apply, please download and complete the application and diversity forms on our website. You will need to upload a completed application form and a diversity form to be considered for this role.

A respected UK-based humanitarian membership organisation is looking for a Head of Finance to oversee financial management and reporting, providing financial leadership across routine operations and periods of major emergency response.

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Resources and managing a small finance team, the Head of Finance will provide strategic and operational oversight of budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, statutory reporting, and financial governance. The role acts as a key advisor to senior leadership, Trustees, and external stakeholders, supporting robust decision-making in a complex, high-profile environment.

Salary: c£60,000

Working Pattern: Full-time, permanent

Location: Hybrid, London (minimum 2x per month in office)

Key duties will include:

• Leadership of the Finance function within a mission-driven, membership-based organisation
• Production of core, appeal and strategic budgets, alongside medium and long-term financial forecasts
• Oversight of cashflow, treasury management and financial performance monitoring in a fluctuating income environment
• Preparation and presentation of management accounts and financial reports for senior leadership, Trustees, and finance committees
• Oversight of statutory accounts, year-end processes and audits, acting as the primary liaison with external auditors
• Ensuring compliance with charity accounting standards, donor requirements, and all relevant statutory and regulatory obligations
• Review and continuous improvement of financial controls, policies, and systems
• Line management, development and support of a small Finance team
• Contribution to organisational preparedness for large-scale emergency appeals and rapid income surges

About You

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Proven experience in a senior finance role within a charity, NGO, or values-led organisation
• Strong understanding of charity accounting, restricted funds and donor compliance
• Confident communicator, able to translate complex financial information for non-finance stakeholders
• Comfortable operating in dynamic, high-pressure environments with diverse income streams

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 28th January

For an informal conversation about the role or to learn more, please contact Madeleine at Ivy Rock Partners.

Head of Financial Planning & Analysis

Contract: Permanent, Full time (salary up to £87,500 (incl London allowance))

Working pattern: 2-3days onsite

MLC are partnering with a reputable, large UK university to recruit a Head of Financial Planning & Analysis to play a critical role within its senior finance leadership team.

Reporting to the Chief Finance Officer, this role will lead the organisation’s FP&A function, providing high-quality financial insight, strategic analysis, and decision support at executive, senior management, and governance levels. The postholder will be responsible for shaping financial strategy, driving performance, and embedding robust planning and analytical capability across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the FP&A function to deliver high-quality budgeting, forecasting, long-term planning, and capital investment analysis
• Provide strategic financial insight and decision support to executive leadership and governance forums
• Develop and oversee management reporting, performance analysis, and key financial and non-financial KPIs
• Support the development of organisational financial strategy, funding plans, and investment priorities
• Oversee business and investment case development, including financial appraisal and scenario modelling
• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders, embedding a business-partnering approach across the organisation
• Lead, develop, and manage a high-performing FP&A team
• Drive the evolution of FP&A systems, tools, and digital decision-support capabilities
• Ensure compliance with governance, regulatory, and statutory reporting requirements

Key skillset:

• Degree-educated with a recognised CCAB qualification
• Significant senior-level FP&A experience within a complex organisation, with a strong background in the public sector and exposure to a university setting considered highly beneficial
• Strong background in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and performance analysis
• Proven experience of influencing senior stakeholders and supporting strategic decision-making
• Commercially minded with excellent communication and leadership skills
• Experience in large, regulated or multi-stakeholder environments highly advantageous

This senior leadership role offers the opportunity to make a significant strategic impact, shaping and modernising the FP&A function at scale within a complex organisation, with a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package reflecting the scope and influence of the position.

Please note: Applications are under constant review, and the role may be filled by prior to this ad closing. Please reach out to Briar or Annabelle from MLC Partners to confidentially discuss your search.

Interim Head of Finance | 6 Month + | £300 - £325 per day (outside IR35) | Hybrid | London

For a small London-based charity, we are recruiting an Interim Head of Finance for 6 + months, starting ASAP. Reporting to C-suite, 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, re-forecasting and cash-flow 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.

Location: Head Office, Victoria
Flexible working: this role is based at our head office typically 2 days per week, the remaining can be worked from home. Flexible working requests are available from day one.
Salary: £66,576 - £70,309

We also offer:

• 25 days annual leave (plus bank holidays) and a discretionary Christmas closure
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Benefits platform with discounts on retail, dining and days out
• Salary sacrifice schemes
• Access to a free Employee Assistance Scheme to support you inside and outside of work

Role & Responsibilities

We’re entering an exciting new phase. With a bold new strategy, ambitious Nature Recovery programmes (including species reintroductions, landscape-scale rewilding and river restoration), and a rapidly rising public profile — including recent collaboration with Sir David Attenborough on the BBC’s Wild London — this is a pivotal moment for our organisation.

To support this growth, we’re looking for an exceptional Head of Finance to reinvigorate, strengthen and modernise our finance function — ensuring it’s fit for the organisation we’re becoming.

Reporting to the COO and working closely with the Senior Leadership Team, Finance Committee and Board, you’ll lead all aspects of financial management across London Wildlife Trust and our trading subsidiary. You’ll play a critical role in shaping how Finance operates — improving systems, controls, reporting and insight so the organisation can confidently adapt to recent and future growth.

Transaction volumes have increased significantly in recent years, and a key early focus of this role will be leading a programme of operational improvement. You’ll roll up your sleeves, lead the finance team through change, and embed better ways of working that strengthen our foundations while enabling smarter decision-making across the organisation.

• Lead all aspects of financial management for London Wildlife Trust and its trading subsidiary
• Lead a programme of finance transformation, improving systems, processes, controls and ways of working to ensure Finance is fit for a growing organisation.
• Own budgeting, forecasting and multi-year financial planning, producing clear, insightful management accounts and analysis to support decision-making.
• Provide high-quality financial reporting and advice to the SLT, Finance Committee and Board, highlighting risks, opportunities and strategic choices.
• Act as a finance business partner to senior leaders and teams across the Trust, improving financial understanding, ownership and accountability.
• Work closely with fundraising, trading and project teams to support income generation, funding compliance and effective financial oversight.
• Lead, coach and develop the finance team, building a confident, collaborative and improvement-focused finance function.

Our ideal Head of Finance

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
• Significant experience at Head of, or equivalent, level in the charity sector (likely 3-5 years)
• Strong working knowledge of Charity SORP and charity financial governance
• Experience with delivering and overseeing exceptional financial operations
• Strong financial planning, reporting and insight experience

Closing Date: Monday 26th January at 9am
Interviews: Are scheduled to take place on 4th and 6th February and reasonable adjustments will be offered to all candidates.

Does this sound like you? We’d love to hear from you!

Our vision is a London alive with wildlife, with nature in everyone's neighbourhood. To achieve our goal of inspiring everyone to help restore London’s wildlife, we recognise that our team must better reflect and represent all of London’s diverse communities. Find out more about London Wildlife Trust’s commitment to Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion on our website.

We are also committed to ensuring that the safety and wellbeing of children, young people and adults at risk is at the heart of our engagement with people. Read about our commitment to safeguarding on our website.

REF-226 026

We are working in partnership with artsdepot, a leading multi form arts venue and cultural hub in North London to secure their new Head of Finance. The venue incorporates a 395-seat main theatre, 148 seat studio theatre, gallery, Creation Space, dance, drama and art studios, café and bar and other public spaces, and welcomes over 185,000 people to watch, learn or be inspired by a programme of shows and events.

The Head of Finance will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer/Creative Director and will be an active member the Senior Leadership Team, supporting artsdepot’s strategic objectives and decision-making. The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership to a small and dedicated team and will be responsible for the financial management of artsdepot, in alignment with organisational strategic plans and budgets, and in compliance with Charity and Company accounting standards and practices.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Qualified accountant with post qualification experience.
• Leadership experience gained in either a cultural or charitable organisation, with a good technical understanding of business and charity taxation, and charity accounting and reporting standards (Charity SORP).
• Experience of analysing financial information for decision-making, scenario planning, forecasting and budgeting.
• Experience of critically appraising financial systems, processes, controls and making changes to increase resilience and efficiency.
• Experience of managing and processing VAT returns and payroll.
• Strong IT skills including Advanced Excel.

We are seeking a collaborative individual with the ability to work at both strategic and operational level, who can inspire, motivate, and empower others. A process and data driven approach, which is solution focused will be essential.

For more information, please see the candidate pack and contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, or other category protected by law.

Location: Barnet, London / Hybrid (2 days in the office a week preferred)

Closing date: 8th February 2026

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by the 16th February prior to submission to artsdepot on the 17th. Interviews with artsdepot will take place the last week of February / early March.

The Organisation

The Armourers & Brasiers’ Company is one of the historic livery companies in the City of London, celebrating its 700th anniversary in 2022. Alongside its vibrant membership events programme, the Company operates the Gauntlet Trust, a charity supporting education and research in Materials Science, small charities, and technical excellence in the armed forces. Both the Company and the Trust are based at Armourers’ Hall, a prestigious venue in the City.

The Job

We are seeking a Head of Finance to oversee the financial operations of the Armourers & Brasiers’ Company and its charity, the Gauntlet Trust. This is a varied, hands-on role covering all aspects of financial management, including preparing management accounts, budgets, and statutory reports, and liaising with auditors and external stakeholders such as fund managers, pension providers, and banks. You will also manage the accounting system and CRM development, and support project work such as systems and process improvements.

The role also includes responsibility for tax and compliance returns to HMRC, Companies House, and the Charity Commission. You will act as secretary for quarterly Finance Committee meetings and bi-annual Audit & Risk Committee meetings, as well as attend other committees to report and advise on financial matters.

The Person

You will be an experienced finance professional with strong technical skills and attention to detail. Ideally, you will have:

• Excellent organisational and communication skills
• Previous experience in a broad role
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities

• A collaborative approach as a team player

What’s in it for You

You will work with a collaborative and supportive team and within an organisation with a fascinating history which you will be surrounded by in their beautiful building. As well as that, Armourers offer a very competitive range of benefits.

• Salary: £39,000 per annum (pro rata for 3 days/week; £65,000 FTE)
• Hours: 21 hours per week, typically across 3 days (Mon–Thu)
• Location: Armourers’ Hall, City of London
• Benefits:
  • Discretionary annual bonus
  • Generous holiday entitlement (15 days + public holidays, plus 2 weeks paid Christmas closure)
  • Pension contribution of 15% after one year
  • Health cash plan from day one

What to Do Now

If you are ready to bring your finance expertise to a unique and historic organisation, contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays who is managing the recruitment for this role.

The Role

The Blagrave Trust is looking to appoint a Head of Finance, who will play a critical leadership role in helping us reimagine how resources can be stewarded in creative and values led ways that advance social justice for young people. The role is offered as a permanent contract, hybrid, with one day in our office in London, Birmingham or Portsmouth per week.

Who We Are

The Blagrave Trust holds around £40m in investments, which, alongside other income, funds our work and grant making. We are ambitious about putting our full asset base to work for our mission, championing transparency in stewardship and inviting learning and input from our communities. As we enter our next chapter, the Head of Finance will be instrumental in embedding mission first finance across strategy, governance and practice.

Key Responsibilities

As the Trust’s senior finance professional and a key member of the leadership team, you will set and deliver the financial strategy, ensure robust controls and compliance, and translate financial insight into mission driven decisions.

• You will provide financial stewardship that aligns with Blagrave’s strategy, ensuring all our financial assets and providers are aligned to our mission.
• You will take our learning and understanding externally, to values aligned finance forums, peer networks and into the conversation around shifting power to best serve missions.
• To support this endeavour, on the day-to-day you’ll lead planning, budgeting, forecasting, scenario planning and cash flow, oversee statutory accounts and audit (UK Charity SORP), and provide clear reporting to the Board and Finance & Investment Committee.

Person Specification

We’re looking for a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) with substantial senior level experience, ideally in a foundation, charity or mission driven organisation.

• You’ll bring a proven track record in strategic financial planning, risk management and governance, fluency in charity accounting and excellent communication skills to support and challenge non-financial colleagues.
• Experience of endowment management / investment oversight and long-term capital strategy is important,
• Alongside the curiosity and courage to push boundaries in responsible, regenerative and climate conscious finance.

How to Apply

We are partnering with Doing Good Recruitment on this campaign. Please click apply to see the job pack and next steps on their site.

Blagrave is a disability friendly employer, do contact Tristan at Doing Good Recruitment, if you have any questions or would like to receive this document in a different format.

We also actively welcome applications from all sections of the community, regardless of age, disability, gender, race, religion, sexuality, or other protected characteristics, as well as socio-economic background. We understand that applicants may not always meet every criterion listed in the job description, but if you meet most, we encourage you to apply.

The Head of Finance provides strategic and operational finance leadership across the organisation, working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and Senior Management Team (SMT), to deliver to the organisation’s strategy, relevant external reporting and provide assurance to the Audit & Risk Committee.

The Head of Finance is critical to the ongoing financial health of the organisation. Ensuring teams are equipped with the knowledge and data to develop and manage their budgets, the organisation is compliant with statutory requirements and financial planning is applied with a strategic lens.  The role requires a leader who has the ability to effectively lead their team with kindness and care whilst also achieving agreed targets and outcomes.

The Head of Finance will collaborate with the Director of Finance, SLT, and Heads of Department to design and implement a long-term financial strategy that supports the organisation’s goals and growth aspirations. Ensure this strategy is continuously reviewed and enhanced as needed.

The Head of Finance will lead the annual budgeting process, ensuring effective resource allocation. They will work closely with budget holders and the SLT to maintain accurate and up-to-date budgets through quarterly reforecasting. They will provide financial expertise and insights to the Board of Trustees, CEO, and senior management, ensuring alignment with organisational priorities and financial sustainability.

The Organisation

The Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music (ABRSM) is a globally respected charity and the UK’s largest music education body, with a turnover of approximately £55 million—an increase of more than £10 million over the past decade. Around half of ABRSM’s exam income is generated internationally, underscoring the global scale of its operations and the need for strong financial governance across multiple jurisdictions. Supporting millions of learners and teachers in over 100 countries, ABRSM delivers world-renowned music exams, publications, and digital learning tools. As the organisation continues to grow internationally, it is strengthening its finance leadership team to ensure robust governance and enable its ambitious future plans.

The Job

ABRSM is seeking an experienced and proactive Head of Financial Accounting & Tax to lead statutory reporting, financial controls, and tax compliance. Reporting directly to the CFO, this pivotal role oversees one of three core finance functions, working alongside the Head of FP&A and the Head of Transactional Finance. You will manage a team of three directly and six in total.

You will be responsible for the monthly close, preparation of statutory accounts (including SORP‑compliant charity accounts), and management of external audit, while ensuring UK and international tax compliance in partnership with external advisors. In addition, you will strengthen financial controls, oversee treasury and cashflow, drive process improvements, and provide expert advice to senior leaders. As ABRSM expands internationally, this role is critical in safeguarding financial integrity and ensuring compliance across diverse jurisdictions, while upholding the charity’s high standards of governance.

The Person

We’re looking for a qualified finance professional (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with a strong background in financial accounting and tax. The ideal candidate will bring:

• Proven leadership in financial accounting, statutory reporting, and audit management
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS
• Experience working within an international organisation, with exposure to cross‑border tax and reporting issues
• Strong track record of delivering continuous improvement and strengthening financial controls
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to advise senior leaders
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to motivate and develop a high‑performing team

What’s in it for You?

• A high‑impact leadership role in a purpose‑driven organisation
• The opportunity to shape and strengthen financial governance during a period of transformation and growth
• A chance to contribute to a global mission in music education
• A competitive salary and benefits package including matched pension contribution plus 2% (employer contribution capped at 10%), 25 days annual leave plus Christmas closure days, flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• Opportunities for professional development and continuous learning
• A collaborative and supportive work environment

How to Apply

ABRSM are working in partnership with Hays Senior Finance to identify the right person for this role. Please contact Peter O’Sullivan at Hays if you have any queries, but the first step towards being considered is to make your application. If suitable, Peter will follow up with a call to discuss next steps.