Head of finance jobs in Bristol

The Organisation

GSG Impact is a global non-profit organisation working across 48 countries to help build impact economies - economic systems that mobilise capital to deliver long-term social, environmental and economic value. Through our network of National Partners, we work with governments, investors, businesses and civil society to strengthen impact ecosystems, mobilise domestic capital and develop practical solutions to global challenges including climate resilience and sustainable finance.

We have a small team of 21 staff working remotely across the globe and income in 2025 was £6.3m.

Position Summary

The Head of Finance is the lead finance professional at GSG Impact, and, with the support of the Chief Operating Officer, is responsible for leading all aspects of the charity's finances.

The Head of Finance will be the owner of the external audit relationship and be responsible for the production of the annual report and accounts, including all regulatory compliance associated with a UK based charitable entity. They will support the leadership’s preparation for, and presentations to both the charity’s Finance and Audit sub-committee and the main GSG Board.  

The postholder will ensure that the charity’s budget and financial position are closely monitored and that established financial controls, spanning the procurement to payments cycle, are firmly adhered to. 

They will lead on the annual budget setting process, including interim reforecasting, and financial reporting.

In addition, the postholder will provide budgetary support, business partnering and technical advice to non-finance staff, and build strong relationships across the organisation, particularly the Fundraising and Programme Support Teams, positioning GSG for continued success and financial sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

In addition to the day-to-day Leadership of the Finance Function and staff management the Key Areas of Responsibility are:

Regulatory Compliance & Audit

• Preparation of the Annual financial statements and Audited accounts for the charitable entity and trading subsidiary.
• Completion of regulatory returns as required by the Charities’ Commission.
• Co-ordination and filing of the quarterly VAT returns and annual Corporation Tax return
• Review of the VAT registration position for continued appropriateness
• Ensure gift aid is calculated and paid over from the trading subsidiary to the charity, as applicable

Management Accounting and Planning

• Leadership of the Annual organisational budget process, including multi-year financial plans and Scenario modelling
• Lead mid-year reforecast process for review and approval of the Board
• Production of Monthly – Quarterly summary management accounts with accompanying narrative to support analysis of significant variances and trends
• Oversee Budget vs actual reporting and analysis by department-function for circulation to nominated budget holders

Financial Accounting, Cash and Treasury Management

• Ownership of the month end financial accounting processes and adjustments
• Manage monthly payroll process with outsourced provider
• Oversee completion of monthly Balance sheet reconciliations including bank accounts
• Manage accounts payable processes to ensure timely fulfilment of obligations to suppliers and 3rd party payments
• Monitor domestic and foreign currency bank accounts and ensure optimal balances are maintained in the various currency accounts
• Prepare regular cash flow forecasts utilising updated income and expenditure information to monitor working capital needs in the short and medium term

Funds Management & Programme Support

• Work with Programme Support colleagues in the preparation of standard budgets for donor proposals, ensuring cost recovery is maximised in line with our Full Cost Recovery Model
• Maintain a staff cost allocation database to provide an overview of funding gaps to be addressed in future donor proposals
• Oversee the production of Donor, project, or grant expenditure financial reports to ensure we meet our donor reporting obligations
• Maintain a Restricted/Unrestricted fund summary analysis schedule to support fund balances reported in the Balance Sheet
• Liaise with finance colleagues within the National Partners on sub-granted funds

Governance & Board Support

• Main liaison with the Audit and Finance committee, co-ordinating quarterly meeting schedule, agenda and supporting reports and documentation
• Production of additional information as required for Trustee board finance packs
• Supply of financial data for KPIs and dashboards on a quarterly basis
• Periodic review of Reserves Policy to ensure appropriateness and update as required by the Board

Financial Systems, Controls & Risk Management

• Maintain and ensure effective application of organisation wide financial policies and procedures
• Preparation and analysis of data required to support Going concern assessments
• Review and update on areas of financial risk as identified in the Risk Register updates
• Support colleagues in due diligence and risk assessments for partners engaged through sub grants
• Lead on continuous improvements to financial processes to ensure finance systems support programme management and organisational growth

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post qualification experience
• Experience of working with the UK Charity SORP and production of annual report and accounts
• Experience of managing a team and relationships with colleagues in a distributed global structure
• Experience managing a multi-donor funded organisational budget and grant budgets, including restricted and unrestricted funding, full cost recovery and financial reporting.
• Experience with multi-currency income & expenditure and management of the processes around sub-grants to overseas partners

Competencies and Behaviours

• Strategic leadership; the role involves supporting SLT and the Board in the alignment of financial resources to the organisational strategy, ensuring outcomes and objectives can be achieved through the provision of concise and decision useful financial information
• Stakeholder engagement; the Head of Finance must be comfortable working closely with a wide range of colleagues and stakeholder including SLT, Trustees within the Finance Committee, wider Board members, the Fundraising Team and National Partners.
• Communication; the post holder must have the ability to communicate potentially complex financial information to non-finance specialists.
• Collaborative and hands on approach, alignment with the goals and mission of the organisation with a global outlook and perspective

Benefits

• Flexible working – remote with occasional onsite meeting
• Salary competitive within the charity sector, based on experience.
• 25 days holiday per annum plus eight bank/public holidays
• Enrolment in NEST Pension Scheme (3% employer and 5% employee contribution)

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting a global network of organisations committed to working together to improve the lives of people affected by disasters worldwide. We are recruiting for a permanent, full time Head of Finance and Operations to be based remotely within the UK.

The Head of Finance and Operations is a core member of the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and provides comprehensive operational and financial leadership across the organisation, responsible for maintaining long-term financial sustainability through robust budgeting and financial control, while safeguarding the charity’s assets and regulatory compliance. Other responsibilities include accountability for the full employee lifecycle and for driving organisational culture of inclusion, wellbeing, and continuous learning, while enabling seamless cross-departmental alignment and collaboration. This senior leadership position blends high-level strategy with hands-on operational delivery, collaborating closely with Trustees, donors, colleagues, and external providers to optimise operational functions and systems.

The successful candidate will have strong finance experience having managed a finance function previously. You will bring some experience relating to HR and HR process and be keen to develop any of those other areas operations areas in the role. You will bring line management experience having managed and motivated teams. Our client is open to considering candidates who are fully accountancy qualified or qualified by experience.

To apply please follow the link to the Prospectus website and submit your CV only in the first instance. You may also be asked to complete a supporting statement if you do progress further in the recruitment process.

Please note: Application review and interviews for this vacancy will be on a rolling basis therefore we encourage candidates to apply ASAP. We reserve the right to close the role prior to the advertised closing date

As a specialist Recruitment Practice Prospectus are committed to building inclusive and diverse organisations, and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Prospectus invests in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you in your application.

Ara Head of Finance

We have immediate need for an Ara Head of Finance.  We are looking for an experienced finance leader who combines strong technical finance expertise with excellent leadership and relationship-building skills, to help us provide hope and better lives for people across South West England and Wales. This position is permanent, full-time 35 hours per week (4 days per week considered).

Please note: applications without a cover letter will not be considered.

Location: Bristol (with some opportunity for hybrid working)

Salary: £65,000 per annum

Contract: Permanent

Department: Senior Leadership Team

Ara’s Head of Finance will provide strategic and operational financial leadership to ensure the charity is financially sustainable, well-governed and compliant. This role is a key member of Ara’s Leadership Team playing a vital part in the development and implementation of the organisation’s strategy.

Working closely with the Chief Executive and the Board of Trustees to advise on governance, regulatory responsibilities and financial planning for the charity. The role provides the essential financial stability to enable future growth through leadership and management of finance, and ensuring effective governance and regulatory compliance.

Some of the key tasks for this role include to:

· Lead all aspects of financial management, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.

· Strengthen Ara governance, compliance, and risk management systems.

· Support strategic planning and organisational development.

· Provide leadership and support to key managers and teams.

· Help develop sustainable income generation and business planning.

· Oversee all financial operations, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and internal policies.

In return we offer:

· A competitive and benchmarked salary.

· A 35-hour working week to promote a healthy work-life balance, with flexible working.

· Up to 32 days annual leave, as well as all UK bank holidays.

· A pension scheme, comprehensive training, and a 24hr Employee Assistance Programme.

· Meaningful and fulfilling work that makes a real difference to some of the most vulnerable people in our society.