Head of finance jobs in Cambridge, cambridgeshire
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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)
Registered Charity 
21 - 50
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
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.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Head of Finance
Location: Fully remote with flexible working arrangements. You must be able to travel 1-2 times per month for a team day in Bristol, Reading, or London, for which expenses will be covered.
Salary: £46,350 - £49,440 depending on experience
Contract: Part-time (0.8 FTE, 4 days per week), Permanent. We are flexible with how these hours are worked - working pattern to be discussed with the successful candidate.
Closing date: Monday 13 July
Interview date: Week commencing 27 July
Start Date: ASAP - this is a new role
Reporting to: Operations Director
Direct Reports: Finance Officer
Role Purpose
The Head of Finance plays a key role in supporting Good Faith's financial health, sustainability and growth. Working closely with the Operations Director and colleagues across the organisation, they provide the financial insight, systems and support that help teams make informed decisions, deliver impactful work and plan confidently for the future.
The role combines hands-on financial management with the ongoing development of financial systems, tools and processes to support Good Faith's growth and evolving needs.
Working in partnership with the Operations Director, Senior Leadership Team, thematic project delivery ("track") leadership teams and project leads, the Head of Finance helps promote sound financial stewardship, clear reporting and responsible use of resources.
The role also provides financial management support to Good Faith Foundation, working alongside its trustees and Charity Development Lead.
The Head of Finance line manages the Finance Officer, supporting their development and helping to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the finance function.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Management and Reporting
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Support the effective management of Good Faith's finances, helping to ensure accurate reporting, strong financial stewardship and long-term sustainability.
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Prepare monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cashflow reporting.
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Provide clear, timely financial reporting and insight to support decision-making by the Operations Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board.
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Help colleagues understand organisational financial performance, identifying trends, opportunities and areas requiring attention.
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Work closely with the Operations Director to develop and improve financial systems, controls, policies and processes that support effective decision-making and organisational growth.
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Coordinate month-end and year-end reporting processes.
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Build positive working relationships with external accountants, banks and other professional advisers.
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Maintain compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax regulations and statutory requirements.
Budgeting, Forecasting and Planning
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Coordinate the annual budgeting process, working collaboratively with SLT and Directors across the organisation.
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Maintain GF’s financial forecast and support scenario planning to inform decision-making and future priorities.
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Monitor organisational, track and project budgets against performance and support teams to understand and respond to variances.
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Provide financial insight and recommendations that help colleagues balance ambition with sustainability.
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Support business planning and provide analysis to inform significant organisational investment and spending decisions.
Project Finance
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Work alongside track leadership teams and project leads to develop, manage and monitor project and track budgets.
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Produce project and track-level financial reporting and analysis, including profitability reporting.
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Help project teams understand financial information and use it confidently in decision-making.
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Provide practical financial support and guidance to help achieve GF’s organisational objectives while making the best use of available resources.
Warm Welcome Campaign
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Work closely with the Warm Welcome Head of Operations and Leadership Team, providing financial support on budgeting, reporting and forecasting.
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Ensure expenditure is accurately recorded, appropriately authorised and aligned with financial policies.
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Produce regular financial dashboards and reporting, highlighting budget variances, emerging risks and opportunities for improved efficiency.
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Provide insight and recommendations that support effective decision-making and responsible resource management.
Cashflow, Reserves and Financial Sustainability
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Monitor and report on cashflow, reserves and wider financial performance, helping SLT plan for the future.
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Manage and process supplier and payroll payments, ensuring appropriate controls and approvals are in place and payments are made accurately and on time.
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Work with the Finance Officer to monitor debtor and creditor performance, supporting the timely collection of income and effective management of liabilities.
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Provide financial insight and scenario planning that supports sustainable growth, informed decision-making and long-term resilience.
Support to Good Faith Foundation
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Provide financial management support to the Good Faith Foundation.
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Oversee the preparation of quarterly management accounts by external accountants, alongside budgets and financial reports as required.
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Support trustees and the Charity Development Lead with financial information, insight and analysis.
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Help maintain appropriate financial controls, governance and compliance arrangements.
Team Management
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Line manage, support and develop the Finance Officer, creating opportunities for learning and professional growth.
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Review and oversee bookkeeping, reconciliations and transactional finance processes.
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Help foster a collaborative, supportive and efficient finance function that supports colleagues across GF.
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Contribute to a positive team culture that reflects Good Faith's values.
Governance and Compliance
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Help ensure GF maintains high standards of governance, accountability and financial compliance.
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Support statutory record-keeping and coordinate company secretarial filings and documentation.
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Coordinate the preparation and submission of VAT returns, annual accounts, corporation tax returns and other regulatory filings, working with external accountants as required.
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Act as a trusted point of contact for external accountants, auditors, legal advisers and other professional advisers.
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Coordinate annual insurance renewals and maintain records of key organisational licences, registrations and financial policies.
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As needed, support audits, compliance reviews and risk management activities, helping to ensure appropriate documentation, controls and procedures are maintained.
Person Specification
Essential Experience
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Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with at least 2-3 years' working experience
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Experience managing finance functions within an SME, consultancy, social enterprise, charity or purpose-led organisation.
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Experience preparing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
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Good understanding of UK financial reporting, tax and compliance requirements.
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Experience managing cashflow and financial planning.
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Proficiency in accounting software (Xero) and Microsoft Excel/Google Workspace.
Essential Skills
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Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
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Ability to communicate financial information clearly and confidently to non-finance colleagues.
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Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
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Ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines effectively.
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Strong relationship-building skills and the ability to work collaboratively with a wide range of people.
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The ability to balance financial sustainability with organisational ambition and social impact.
Desirable
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Experience in consultancy, professional services, social enterprise or charitable sectors.
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Experience managing the finances of grant-funded projects
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Experience supporting boards, trustees or senior leadership teams.
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Knowledge of charity finance and governance requirements.
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Experience supporting and developing colleagues through line management.
Personal Attributes
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Collaborative and relationship-focused, with a genuine desire to support others.
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Inclusive in approach and committed to building positive working relationships
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Proactive and solutions-oriented, with the confidence to improve systems and ways of working.
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Trustworthy, accountable and able to exercise sound judgement.
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Comfortable working in a dynamic and evolving organisation.
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Able to balance ambition with pragmatism, helping the organisation make the most of its resources.
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Committed to Good Faith's mission, values and the positive impact of our work.
Key Relationships
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Operations Director
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Senior Leadership Team
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Project Leads
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Thematic project delivery leadership teams
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Finance Officer
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Good Faith Foundation Charity Development Lead and Trustees
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External accountants and professional advisers
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Clients, funders and other partners as required
Please review the attached JD for full information on how to apply.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.