Head of finance jobs in Bristol

Wiltshire Music Centre is looking for a Head of Finance to drive financial strategy, ensure robust financial management, and provide clear insight to support decision-making across all areas of activity of our music and education venue. This role sits on our Senior Leadership Team.

Key Responsibilities

1. Financial Management & Reporting

• Lead preparation of management accounts, cash flow forecasts, and variance analysis
• Produce quarterly finance reports and manage month end processes and reports
• Oversee preparation of the annual statutory accounts and audit
• Maintain a clear reserves policy and monitor cash flow
• Administer finances raised through fundraising campaigns, donations, sponsorship and grants, and claim back Gift Aid from HMRC
• Prepare and process VAT returns, handling partial exemption when applicable
• Be the first point of contact for any HMRC query

2. Budgeting & Strategy

• Coordinate the annual budgeting process across departments
• Provide financial modelling and analysis for strategic planning and fundraising bids
• Support the Executive Director and trustees in scenario planning and long-term forecasting
• Advise on risk management and internal controls

3. Operations & Systems

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations (invoicing, payments, payroll, expenses, reconciliations)
• Maintain accurate event and project accounts, reconciling Box Office data to financial systems
• Ensure efficient provision and use of merchant services and card payment solutions
• Manage and improve financial systems e.g. Sage
• Work closely with Executive Director to track restricted and unrestricted funds

4. Governance & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with the Charities Act, Companies Act, and funder requirements
• Prepare data and documents as required for reporting to key funders
• Prepare finance reports and dashboards for board meetings
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and the Charity Commission
• Support the Treasurer and Finance & Resource Committee and attend board meetings as required

5. Organisational strategy and growth

• Work collaboratively to identify strategic opportunities for growth

Job Requirements

Ideal Candidate Profile

Essential

• Professional qualification (or part-qualified) such as ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA, or equivalent
• Strong financial and accounting experience within a Finance Department covering all relevant functions
• Excellent budgeting, forecasting, and analytical skills.
• Knowledge of Charity SORP and statutory charitable reporting and accounts preparation.
• Technical knowledge of tax matters (VAT and PAYE).
• Experience of managing VAT and gift aid for a charity.
• Experience with Sage or another cloud-based accounting platform.
• High attention to detail and ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues

Desirable

• Experience with arts, education, or cultural sector charities.
• Experience working with fundraising and grant-making bodies, including an understanding of restricted funds, grant management and project reporting
• Experience of box office systems

Job Responsibilities

Key Deliverables

• Accurate and timely monthly management accounts and Board reports.
• Month end processes timely and fulsome.
• Annual budget, forecasts, and audited statutory accounts.
• Effective cash flow and investment management.
• Clear, concise financial insight to support strategic decisions.
• Strong financial controls, policies, and risk management processes.
• A financially informed, confident leadership team.

Nb: This piece of recruitment is rolling and may close at any time.

In recent years OTR has seen a significant increase in demand for our youth mental health services and we now reach over 17,000 young people each year. We are seeking a Head of Finance to oversee our (circa) £3m annual budget and to ensure that our finance operation is efficient and effective. This role will lead OTR’s finance function and, as well as having responsibility for day-to-day financial processes, will be a key member of the organisation’s senior leadership team (SLT). The role will involve providing financial insight to the SLT and Board of Trustees to improve understanding and inform strategic decision making. Examples of this will include analysing the financial performance of different activities of the organisation and preparing budget and forecast information. 

We are looking for an individual with demonstrable experience in a finance management role which includes a strategic focus, preferably in the voluntary sector. The successful candidate will be a flexible and meticulous individual who is able to present complex information to a range of audiences. Equally important is a strong personal interest in and commitment to the mental health and wellbeing of young people.

To find out more about the role please download the job pack. If you would like an informal chat about the role, please email the main contact as listed in the job pack

To apply for this role click the 'Apply now' button

We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to developing a team that reflects the diversity of the people we work with

Safeguarding:

OTR is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people. We expect all staff, trustees, and volunteers to share this commitment.

As part of our Safer Recruitment practices, all roles involving contact with young people will be subject to robust pre-employment checks, including references, a full employment history, and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, overseas criminal record checks will also be required.

We are dedicated to creating a culture of vigilance, transparency, and accountability. Our safeguarding procedures are guided by the principle that the welfare of the child is paramount, and all staff are required to adhere to OTR’s Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. 

OTR & Benefits:

OTR is a mental health social movement by and for young people. The charity is at an exciting stage of its 59-year history and is proud to be reaching more young people than ever before (around 17,000) across Bristol, South Gloucestershire, and North Somerset with creative and diverse mental health and wellbeing info and support. 

Our approach to mental health is grounded in a set of beliefs and values that underpin all of our work. We believe in celebrating diversity, empowering and mobilising young people to make change, and that catering to the unique strengths, interests and circumstances surrounding young people is key. Our approach centres on collaboration and partnership, building relationships between individuals, peers and communities. 

Each day is as engaging and fulfilling as the last, and with a network of supportive, community minded people, we hope you’ll feel welcome here. As a thank you, we like to compensate our employees for the important work they do with a range of benefits including a flexible leave policy, healthcare cost and wellbeing assistance with HealthShield, flexible and hybrid working arrangements, enhanced sick pay, parental leave, training and development, social and wellbeing events, and more (subject to contractual terms and conditions). 

A Willingness to Work with Difference 

At OTR, whatever your role or professional background, you will be expected to work in a way that is anti-oppressive and inclusive. A key focus for OTR is to develop an organisation that is inclusive for all but we do not claim to be experts in this. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement in these areas and invite you to join us on this journey. 

OTR recognises the benefits to individual practice and organisational credibility of having a diverse community of staff and volunteers and to this end is continually working towards building and maintaining an environment which values and pursues diversity accordingly. 

We recognise that tackling systemic inequality, prejudice, racism and oppressive practice requires each of us to actively engage, self-examine and make changes where necessary, in order to improve access and equitable experience for all in society and all of those who come through our doors at OTR.

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.

About Us

Freeways and Freeways Trust are linked local charities that supports adults with learning disabilities.

Freeways is a highly regarded provider offering a range of social care support services and Freeways Trust owns and manages a portfolio of properties which support the work of Freeways. Both charities are passionate about helping people to become as independent as possible by supporting them to make choices, learn new skills, and make links with their local community.

We provide support for up to 115 people across North Somerset, Bristol and South Gloucestershire in accommodation based services and also individuals in their own homes and a small number of respite placements in South Gloucestershire.

We also run other types of services including community day services, building based day services, hydrotherapy and warm water sessions in our own hydrotherapy pool, support to become self-employed or look for employment, and support living.

The Role

Freeways is looking to recruit a Head of Finance who will   manage a small finance team.

This role is responsible for preparing the monthly management accounts and associated report for both charities: providing high quality financial insight, analysis and advice to support informed decision making.

The Head of Finance is also responsible for ensuring the efficiency, accuracy and compliance of the day-to-day financial activities (including accounts payable, accounts receivable and cashbooks) for both Freeways and Freeways Trust.

This includes responsibility for the integrity and ongoing development of the accounting and payroll systems, ensuring transactions are processed accurately and in a timely manner to enable the production of accurate financial information for the management of both charities. 

You will also deputise and work closely with the Finance Director playing a pivotal role in shaping the strategic direction of both Freeways and Freeways Trust, responsible for advising on financial strategies that align with the charities’ objectives.

About you

To succeed in this role you will:

• Be a qualified accountant with substantial financial and management accounting experience.
• Have excellent verbal and written communication skills and demonstrable experience of leading and engaging with finance and other corporate functions to develop a mature and rounded service.
•  Have an excellent understanding of financial and management accounting processes, financial reporting and audit planning as well as being adept at managing both your own and your team’s priorities.
• Be a strong leader able to communicate well with your peers and teams members and have resilience to adapt quickly to changing priorities and demands from internal and external stakeholders.
• Enjoy using technology to make processes simpler and more efficient.

In return for your hard work and dedication you will enjoy a wide variety of benefits including:

• 35 days (pro-rata) annual leave entitlement (including public holidays)
• Company sick pay
• Company pension scheme
• Life assurance cover of twice your annual salary (subject to rules of the scheme)
• Free parking on site
• Family-friendly/work-life balance policies
• Free DBS check every 3 years
• Occupational health provision
• Employee Assistance Programme – 24-hour access to a counselling and legal helpline

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds. This role is subject to an Enhanced DBS and Adult Barred List check.