Head of finance jobs

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.

About CoppaFeel!

CoppaFeel! are the UK’s only youth focused breast cancer awareness charity, and we’re on a mission to get every 18-24 year old checking their chest. We educate people on the signs of breast cancer and encourage them to check their chests monthly, so that if they notice something unusual they are empowered to contact their GP and advocate for themselves.

We do this because when diagnosed early, breast cancer treatments are more effective and survival rates are higher. Early detection can save lives.

Breast cancer does not need to be detected late, and as long as we are here and continue to be supported by people like you, we will do all we can to make sure this doesn’t continue to happen.

The Role

CoppaFeel! is looking for a Head of Finance and Contracts to as we continue to grow and develop the organisation’s internal operations. As Head of Finance and Contracts, you’ll oversee all aspects of financial management and contractual compliance across the charity.

This is a hands-on role where you’ll be responsible for managing and developing our small finance team, while also leading on budgeting, funder reporting and forecasting. Alongside this, you’ll oversee the organisation’s contracts ensuring we’re operating in line with best practice and regulatory requirements.

This is a hybrid role, with the expectation that you will attend the London office at least two days per week. Part time can be considered for this role.

The Head of Finance and Contracts will sit within the CoppaFeel! Finance Team, report to the Finance Director, and line manage the Finance Officer and Finance Assistant.

Duties & Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Line manage the Finance Officer and Finance Assistant, providing guidance, support, continuous improvement and performance oversight.

• Actively participate in Leadership Team meetings, contributing to the development and achievement of strategic objectives.

• Provide data-driven insights and strategic recommendations to inform long-term decision-making and business growth.

Financial Strategy & Reporting

• Lead the annual budgeting and reforecasting process, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.

• Oversee monthly management accounts; meet regularly with Heads of Department (HoDs)to monitor spend and evaluate impact.

• Support with the preparation draft statutory accounts and coordinate audit queries.

• Conduct financial analysis, working with HoDs to assess ROI across key projects and income streams.

Operational Finance

• Ensure the effective day-to-day running of the finance function, including payroll, VAT, cashflow, and working capital management.

• Maintain robust financial controls, policies, and procedures, ensuring compliance with regulatory and best-practice requirements.

• Identify financial risks and implement proportionate mitigation strategies.

Contracts, Funding & Governance

• Provide financial oversight for grant and corporate funding applications, ensuring financial viability and compliance.

• Oversee contracts with suppliers, partners, and funders, working with legal advisers where required.

• Support the Finance Committee reporting and cover for the Finance Director if necessary.

• Monitor and respond to changes in financial, legal, and regulatory requirements affecting the organisation.

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

Essential

• Fully or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), or equivalent senior-level financial experience.

• Proven experience in charity finance, working knowledge of SORP, compliance, contracting and supporting audits.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and manage teams effectively.

• Senior-level finance leadership experience, including budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, and statutory reporting.

• Strong strategic and analytical skills, with the ability to provide clear financial insight to non-financial stakeholders.

• High level of integrity, accountability, and strong attention to detail.

• Strong technical proficiency in financial systems and data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, accounting software).

Desirable

• Understanding of impact and ROI evaluation in a charity context.

• Experience supporting funding applications, particularly for grants and corporate partnerships.

• Experience working in a small charity environment, and creating new systems or processes.

Application information

Applications will close at the 12pm 12th January 2026 with the aim to commence interviews from 19th January.

CoppaFeel! reserves the right to close the vacancy early in the event that we receive a high number of applications before the closing date.

Main benefits, Terms & Conditions

Annual leave entitlement: 22 days, plus office closure at Christmas, a day off for the founders Cancerversary and a day off for your birthday.

• Employee Assistance Programme

• Health Cash Plan

• Access to Self Space training and 1:1 therapy

• Core working hours of 10am to 4pm

• Flex Friday; every other Friday off, offering the time to recharge and ensuring work life balance, while remaining available in case of emergencies

All annual leave and benefits are pro-rata'd for part time employees.

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion

At CoppaFeel! we support a diverse range of communities and we understand that diversity within our team is central and crucial to meeting the needs of the young people we exist to serve. We strongly encourage applications from Black, and people of colour, LGBTQIA+ candidates, candidates with disabilities, from men, and from those with a lived experience of cancer because we would like to increase the representation of these groups within the charity.

We promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our workplace and make recruitment decisions by matching the charity's needs with the skills and experience of candidates, irrespective of age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We recognise the value in encouraging a diverse range of perspectives, skills, experience and knowledge at the charity.

While the successful candidate will be selected purely on merit, in the event of a tie between two candidates with equal suitability, we may select a candidate with lived experience of the issues we are seeking to address through our work.

We are a Disability Confident Employer and we commit to offering an interview for all applicants with disabilities who meet our required criteria for the role. If you have any accessibility requirements or need any adjustments for the interview process please get in touch.

This exciting new post will advise on the financial implications of the charity’s strategic plan and oversee day-to-day financial activities, ensuring robust financial management, regulatory compliance, and strategic insight to support the charity’s mission. This is a senior leadership role suited to a qualified finance professional. 

The League of Friends of the Royal United Hospitals (Bath) was established in 1957. We are an independent charity working in partnership with our beneficiary the Royal United Hospitals Bath Foundation Trust.

Our main source of income is our Shop in the Atrium and our Café at B18 which together generate an annual turnover of £1.4 million.

From our surplus profits we provide grants to the hospital to improve the care and support for patients. This year we made £400,000 available to the RUH and plan to make a further sum available later this year.

We are looking to broaden our income sources. The postholder will play a pivotal role in the creation and development of these new activities and ensuring they are a financial success.

For more information and an overview of the role's key responsibilities please visit our website: 

Prospectus is delighted to be supporting a small, London based performing arts charity to recruit for a Head of Finance and Operations. This is a role based full time from their site in Islington and is a permanent vacancy. The charity works with care leavers and at risk young people using drama, staging high profile theatre and film productions.

Reporting in to the CEO, the Head of Finance and Operations is responsible for managing the day-to-day operational, financial and legal aspects of the charity, the work it produces and its staff, ensuring successful delivery of all services. Accountable to the CEO, this person must ensure that the right balance is achieved between a programme of activity and prudent financial management. Some of the key responsibilities include strategic and financial planning, leading in the development and management of business plans. You will ensure realistic financial targets are set, work alongside the CEO to develop a robust, deliverable business plan for financial partnerships and will lead on the development and implementation of HR strategy and staff management policies. You will support the Fundraising team alongside the CEO, working with them to develop and manage a realistic weighted pipeline of trusts and foundations. You will also monitor funding agreements and renewals, support the preparation of corporate sponsorship contracts and over see the management of the office space.

The successful candidate will have prior experience managing finances, ideally for a charitable organisation or not for profit, however you do not need to be a fully qualified accountant. You will have team management experience with the ability to motivate and support staff and bring experience of embedding policies and processes to ensure smooth running of the organisation. You will be a self starter with the ability and drive to learn aspects of the role that you are not as familiar. The charity is open to candidates looking to develop and broaden their experience on the job and therefore you will not be expected to have strong experience in every area.

To apply please submit your CV in the first instance. Following your application, you may be contacted by Prospectus for an informal discussion and may be asked to provide further information to assist with the recruitment process.

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