Head of financial accounting jobs in Bristol, city of bristol

DFN Project SEARCH is looking for an experienced charity finance professional to take on the newly-created Head of Finance role. As a well-established and successful UK charity, we are operating in a period of continued growth and require a Head of Finance who combines reliable financial insight, robust control and strong governance with hands-on delivery. This role will work closely with the Finance Director and wider executive team while remaining directly involved in month-end, reporting, controls, cash flow and systems improvement. This role has a requirement to travel to London an average of twice monthly as well as other UK travel to support away days and programme visits.

Key responsibilities include:

•     End-to-end ownership of the finance function, ensuring accurate, efficient and compliant day-to-day operations.
•     Working closely with the Finance Director to deliver management reporting, annual budgeting, statutory accounts and audit support.
•     Strengthening cash flow forecasting, treasury oversight, credit control and financial planning to support organisational growth.
•     Principal owner of the charity’s financial controls, policies, procedures and systems, further developing the use of Xero for real-time insight.
•     Supporting the charity’s funding model through strong oversight of restricted funds, grant reporting, contract support and funder compliance.
•    Build financial understanding across the organisation by supporting budget holders and translating financial information for non-finance colleagues.
•     Clear reporting relationship with the Finance Director and line management responsibility for the Finance Administrator.

Essential criteria

The successful candidate should be a fully qualified accountant who is comfortable leading and doing in a small charity environment. They should be technically strong, confident with hands-on financial operations, and able to work credibly with the Finance Director, executive colleagues, trustees, external advisors and non-finance budget holders.

•     Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent).
•     Proven experience in a finance management role with end-to-end responsibility for a finance function.
•     Strong working knowledge of Charity SORP and charity accounting requirements.
•     Experience preparing management accounts, statutory accounts and board-level financial reports.
•     Strong cash flow management, balance sheet reconciliation and month-end close capability.
•     Experience of restricted funds management, grant reporting and supporting budgets for funding applications or tenders.
•     Confident using accounting systems, ideally Xero, and advanced Excel.
•     Ability to explain financial information clearly to non-specialist audiences and partner effectively with budget holders.
•     Strong leadership and collaboration skills, with the ability to line manage and develop a small finance team.
•     Proven experience in developing and implementing Financial Instructions in a charity setting

Desirable criteria

•     Experience of leading change and process optimisation
•     Experience in a remote or distributed organisation
•     Experience of working with complex stakeholder groups across education, public sector, social impact or donor settings
•     Experience of payroll oversight, VAT returns and finance systems/process improvement would be highly valuable.

Remuneration and Offer Considerations

Over and above the salary range offered, we also offer:

•     Flexible working arrangements considered including jobsharing and part-time (minimum of 4 days per  week) work as well as a condensed hours working pattern of 10 working days over 9.
•     Annual leave buy-back.
•     Remote role with travel as required.
•     Wellbeing benefits such as an Employee Assistance Programme and NHS top-up support.

About Us

The Early Education and Childcare Coalition unites the voices of parents, children, providers, early years professionals and the wider business community, working together for investment and reform of early education and childcare in England.

We believe that we all benefit from a well-functioning early education system and we all have a role to play in ensuring it works for children, parents and the economy.

We are backed by some of the most high-profile campaign and research organisations in the UK. Our members span providers, parent groups, trade unions, the business community and NGOs. Together, we use our collective voice and research to build public and political support for change.

This is an exciting time to join the Coalition. We have experienced significant growth in recent years and, with early years firmly on the political agenda, we expect this to continue.

About the role

• Hours: 30 hours per week (this can be worked over 4 or 5 days). We will consider other working patterns with a minimum of 3.5 days per week worked over 4.
• Duration: Two-year contract, renewed subject to funding
• Location: Home-working, can be based anywhere in the country
• Salary: c. £53,820 per annum FTE (£43,056 pro-rata for 4 days)

We are a remote team, with most colleagues based outside London. This role will support the whole organisation and requires occasional in-person meetings such as in-person team planning days which you will be expected to travel to.

We work flexibly and understand the realities of balancing work with caring commitments. We trust you to manage your time, but expect most hours to be worked within core office hours. To support effective remote working, all staff work on Thursdays.

This is a senior, cross-cutting leadership role sitting at the heart of the organisation. You will lead on operations, finance, HR and organisational systems, while working closely with the Executive Director and Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the Board to ensure the Coalition is sustainable, well-run, and set up for growth and impact.

About You

You are an experienced operations leader with a strong track record of building and running effective organisational systems, ideally within a charity, social impact or policy environment.

You are equally comfortable developing strategy and rolling up your sleeves to deliver. You bring strong financial and organisational management skills, and are motivated by enabling high-impact teams to thrive.

You have experience working at senior leadership level and are confident operating across a small, fast-paced organisation where priorities can shift quickly. You are a systems thinker who can spot gaps, create structure, and improve how things work.

What You Can Expect to Be Doing

Function leadership

• Work as part of the Senior Leadership Team
• Contribute to organisational strategy, planning and growth
• Support organisational decision-making, balancing operational, financial and strategic priorities

Develop operations and organisational systems

• Oversee the day-to-day running of the organisation, ensuring efficient and effective operations
• Develop and implement systems, processes and policies to support a scaling organisation
• Take ownership of organisational infrastructure (e.g. CRM, internal systems, workflows)
• Improve internal coordination, planning and ways of working across functions

Financial management and sustainability

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including reporting, invoicing and payments
• Support organisational financial planning, forecasting and scenario modelling
• Work with external accountants/bookkeepers and ensure strong financial controls
• Support the Executive Director and Board on financial governance and decision-making

People management

• Ensure the organisation has robust HR systems in place, ensuring they reflect changes in legislation, support staff wellbeing and development and foster an inclusive and positive culture
• Lead recruitment, onboarding and staff contracts
• Support performance management, team development and organisational culture

Programme and contract management

• Oversee operational delivery of programmes and projects
• Manage funder agreements and contracts, ensuring compliance and reporting
• Support programme leads with planning, delivery tracking and coordination
• Strengthen systems for delivery and accountability

Governance and organisational support

• Support effective governance, including Board coordination and reporting
• Ensure strong administration of meetings, papers and decision-making processes
• Strengthen alignment between governance, strategy and operations

Cross-organisational leadership

• Act as a central coordination point across policy, campaigns, research and communications
• Support other heads of function to deliver effectively through strong operational systems
• Identify and address organisational capacity gaps, particularly in admin, finance and infrastructure

Person Specification

Essential

• Experience of working at senior leadership level
• Strong experience in operations and financial management
• Experience establishing or improving systems and organisational infrastructure
• Experience of HR processes and people management
• Experience supporting governance and working with senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate effectively in a small, fast-paced and growing organisation
• Strong organisational, problem-solving and communication skills

Desirable

• Experience in a charity, coalition, membership or policy organisation
• Experience supporting organisational growth or scaling
• Experience managing CRMs or digital systems
• While not essential, we would welcome applications from candidate who have either a HR or a financial qualification i.e. CIPD qualified or AAT qualification or similar level of experience and knowledg

The application process

Please apply with a CV and cover letter (no more than two pages) by the listed closing date. No agencies please. We recognise that the use of AI technologies can be useful in reducing the work that goes into job-hunting, however, we kindly request that you use your cover letter to evidence that you have understood the requirements of the role and provide examples of how you can meet the criteria.

The EECC is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion. We use anonymous recruiting during the application process and we use positive action under section 159 of the Equality Act in relation to disability or race. This means that if we have two candidates of equal merit in our process, we will seek to take forward the disabled or Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidate in order to diversify our staff team.

We regret that our small team does not have capacity to respond to unsuccessful applicants individually.

Timeline

• Closing date: 23:30, Thursday 11th June
• Notified for interview by: Tuesday 16th June
• Interviews: We expect this to be a two-stage interview process with first interviews held on either 24th or 25th June and second stage interviews arranged an agreed time.

Position: Finance Officer

Location: Bath or London with a minimum of 3 days per week in the office

Contract type: Permanent

Salary range: £35,000 - £40,500 dependent upon experience, qualifications and location

Reporting to: Global Head of Finance

Applications: Please apply here by 8 June.

About EJF

The Environmental Justice Foundation (EJF) exists to protect the natural world and uphold our fundamental human right to a secure environment. We work at the frontlines of environmental injustice, alongside communities most affected by climate breakdown, biodiversity loss, and exploitation – transforming evidence into action, and injustice into lasting change.

EJF is a global non-profit driven by a powerful belief: that environmental protection and human rights are inseparable. Through courageous field investigations, rigorous research, and strategic international advocacy, we expose environmental crime, challenge impunity, and catalyse systemic reform. Our work delivers real-world impact, shaping policy, strengthening governance, protecting vital ecosystems, and defending those who risk their lives to safeguard them.

Our campaigns span four deeply interconnected areas: oceans, climate, forests and wetlands, and the training, protection, and empowerment of environmental defenders and journalists. From illegal fishing and forced labour to deforestation, land grabs, and climate displacement, we confront some of the most complex and urgent crises of our time – always with a focus on accountability, equity, and durable solutions.

EJF is an international organisation with a diverse team working across four continents, united by a shared ambition: to protect people by protecting the planet. We are bold, evidence-led, and impact-driven. We speak truth to power – and we build pathways to a fairer, more resilient future. Join Us.

About the role

EJF is scaling up its global work, and in particular expanding our portfolio of training and support to partner organisations on the front lines of environmental and human rights issues across the Global South. The Finance Officer is one of several new roles being recruited to support this growth.

Reporting to the Global Head of Finance, the Finance Officer will be responsible for end-to- end financial processing, donor reporting and partner finance support across a portfolio of geographies and grants. The role works closely with colleagues across the world and gives broad, hands-on exposure to international project finance, multi-currency operations, donor compliance, audit and sub-grant management.

The role is offered on a full-time basis, although we are open to part-time arrangements for the right candidate. It will suit a part-qualified Accountant or fully-qualified AAT, or someone with equivalent experience, looking to develop their career in a fast-growing, high-impact international organisation working at the intersection of environmental protection and human rights.

Key responsibilities

Management accounts and reporting

• Contribute to the production of accurate and insightful monthly management accounts for use by senior leadership.
• Support project managers with project budgeting, forecasting, internal reporting and re-planning.
• Prepare donor and project reports in the format required by funders, within agreed reporting timetables, for review by budget holders, the Head of Finance and senior management.

Sub-grants and partner support

• Oversee sub-grant disbursements and review incoming partner finance reports, ensuring accuracy, eligible expenditure and correct allocation against budget lines.
• Provide ongoing support to sub-grantee partners and to non-finance EJF colleagues on financial systems, processes and donor compliance.

Transaction processing and controls

• Prepare and process payrolls.
• Process expenditure, ensuring adherence to internal financial controls, approval processes and project allocation.
• Process grant income.
• Process international payments and multi-currency transactions using online banking platforms.
• Reconcile foreign currency transactions and exchange rate adjustments.
• Process staff advance requests, allocate them onto expense cards and review the related expense claims.
• Prepare payment runs, ensuring adherence to approval limits and authorisation processes.
• Reconcile expense card balances and bank balances on a regular basis.
• Support the implementation and continuous improvement of financial controls across global operations.

Month-end, year-end and audit

• Support month-end and year-end close, including reconciliations, accruals and review of financial data.
• Lead audit liaison on project audits within the portfolio.
• Assist with preparation for the annual organisational audit and with responses to audit queries.

Records and systems

• Maintain accurate financial records and supporting documentation using cloud-based storage.

Essential skills and experience

• Demonstrable commitment to EJF’s vision, mission and values and a determination to change the world for the better.
• Part-qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), fully-qualified AAT, or a minimum of three years’ relevant finance experience.
• Strong working knowledge of Excel, including the ability to build and interrogate spreadsheets for budgeting, reporting and reconciliation (lookups, pivot tables, formulas).
• Day-to-day hands-on experience with Iplicit or a similar cloud-based accounting system.
• Experience in processing transactions in multiple currencies and reconciling foreign exchange differences.
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail, with a strong sense of ownership over your work.
• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to manage competing deadlines across a portfolio of projects.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and external partners.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• A coaching mindset, committed to building the financial confidence and capability of non-finance colleagues and partner organisations.

Desirable skills and experience

• Experience working in the third sector, ideally with international NGOs or charities subject to UK Charities SORP.
• Familiarity with the financial requirements of institutional donors (e.g. EU, Norad) and sub-grant compliance.
• Experience working across multiple geographies.
• Working proficiency in a second language relevant to EJF’s geographies.

We strongly encourage candidates from underrepresented backgrounds in the environmental and human rights sectors to apply. If you believe you would be a great fit but don’t meet every requirement, we would still love to hear from you.

What we offer

We offer a rewarding package designed to support your well-being, flexibility, and professional growth:

• 22 days’ annual leave (exclusive of bank holidays), increasing with each year of service, plus additional paid leave between Christmas and New Year.
• Private healthcare package.
• Generous pension scheme, with employer contributions increasing over time.
• Flexible working hours and hybrid working (3 days in the office / 2 from home).
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Option to work from either our Bath or London (Farringdon) offices.
• A dynamic, supportive, and inclusive working environment, with genuine opportunities for professional development and career progression.
• The chance to contribute to an organisation delivering real-world impact for people and planet.

Application process

To apply, please complete the application form here. This includes:

1. A personal statement outlining your suitability for the role (max 2 pages)

2. Your CV (max 2 pages)

The deadline for applications is 6pm on 8 June.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Candidates must have the legal right to work in the UK.

EJF is an equal opportunity employer, committed to diversity within the workplace.

Community Fundraising Assistant - North 

Are you ready to take on a new challenge with a leading charity making a real difference in brain tumour research?

Brain Tumour Research is an exciting, innovative, and ambitious charity. We are passionate about finding a cure for brain tumours through the establishment of dedicated Brain Tumour Research Centres of Excellence around the UK.​

After a successful 2025, we’re building on our momentum and looking ahead with ambition. As our work continues to expand, so does our impact. We are now looking for passionate people to join us on the next stage of our journey!

It is a fantastic time to be joining us and we are keen to share this with likeminded and talented individuals. We currently have an opening for a Community Fundraising Assistant - North, to join our Community and Digital Fundraising team.

• Do you want to make a difference in one of the most innovative and exciting medical research fundraising charities in the UK?
• Are you able to provide friendly and professional support to fundraisers and supporters?   
• Do you have experience in supporting events or community activities?
• Do you live in either Scotland, North East England, North West England or the East Midlands? 

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Have you answered Yes to these questions?

Does this sound like the opportunity to really take the next step in your career?

Excited to learn more about this position? Then please take a read through our recruitment pack which is included within this advert.​​​

If you have the skills and ambition that we are looking for we are excited to receive your application.  We are really looking forward to welcoming a new member to our team!​

We are asking for a CV as the first step but applicants may be asked to provide a targeted covering letter as part of the selection process.  Interviews will be conducted during the application window as appropriate, and will consist of a first interview via MS Teams, progressing, if successful to a face to face second interview, held at our offices in Milton Keynes.

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We reserve the right to close the application window early and advise candidates to apply in good time to avoid disappointment.​

We are looking for people who share our passion for finding a cure for brain tumours and who have the skills and experience to make a difference. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, cultures, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and ages. We believe that diversity enriches our organisation and helps us achieve our mission. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment where everyone can be themselves and contribute to our vision.

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