6 Head of financial accounting jobs in Milton Keynes

Harris Hill is recruiting for a Head of Financial Planning – Business Partnering for this well-established University based in Buckinghamshire. (Hybrid)

• Job Title: Head of Financial Planning – Business Partnering
• Location: Buckinghamshire
• Position: Full Time, Permanent role.
• Salary: to £78,500
• Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer
• Direct Reports: Senior Finance Business Partner, Finance Business Partner, Assistant Finance Business Partner
• Hybrid Working: 3 days a week is required at their offices
• Hours: 9 – 5, with flexible working offered.
• Budget Responsibility University-wide revenue and capital budgets; delegated financial authority within agreed parameters
• A QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT IS ESSENTIAL

THIS IS AN URGENT POSITION. THEREFORE PLEASE APPLY IMMEDIATELY. INTERVIEWS ARE IN THE NEXT COUPLE OF WEEKS

Job Context

The Head of Financial Planning – Business Partnering is a senior member of the Finance leadership team, working closely with the Chief Financial Officer, Head of Financial Operations and University Executive. The role provides strategic leadership for the University's financial planning, performance management and business partnering activities, ensuring that financial insight, forecasting, modelling and analysis support decision making at all levels of the institution.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this role is to provide senior leadership of the University's financial planning, management reporting, and business partnering functions, and to design, implement, and continuously improve the processes, tools, and analytical frameworks that support sound financial decision-making across the institution and its subsidiaries.

Responsibility

The postholder is accountable for the accuracy, timeliness, and quality of management accounts, budgets, forecasts, and financial analysis presented to the University's Executive, governance committees, and Council. The role requires the identification and resolution of complex financial problems, the exercise of independent professional judgement, and the production of evidence-based recommendations on matters of strategic significance.

The Role

The role leads the Finance Business Partnering function and is responsible for developing organisational capability, improving financial understanding across the institution and embedding a culture of evidence-based decision making that supports delivery of the University's strategic objectives.

Head of Finance and Operations

We are seeking an experienced finance and operations professional to provide strategic leadership within a growing environmental charity.

Salary: £60,000 FTE, £48,000 actual
Location: Home-based, UK, with some travel to London and occasional UK travel
Hours: 28 hours per week, four days
Contract: Permanent
Closing date: 23:59, Sunday 4 October

Interviews: First round on 13 & 14 October; Second round 16 October

About the role

This is a broad and influential senior leadership role covering finance, governance, operations, people and organisational development.

Working closely with the Executive Director, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, you will ensure the charity has the financial insight, effective systems and strong infrastructure needed to deliver its ambitions. You will also deputise for the Executive Director occasionally and provide line management for support functions.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading financial operations, controls, budgeting, cash flow forecasting and management reporting
• Producing statutory accounts and managing the annual audit
• Monitoring restricted, designated and unrestricted funds
• Supporting the Board and Finance Committee with clear reporting, papers and effective governance
• Overseeing organisational risk, compliance, data protection, cyber security, insurance and business continuity
• Improving HR, IT, CRM, digital and operational systems
• Leading the responsible adoption of digital tools, automation and AI
• Coordinating organisational workplans and monitoring delivery against strategic priorities
• Overseeing recruitment, onboarding, employment processes and staff development
• Supporting an inclusive, collaborative and high-performing remote working culture

About you

You will be a qualified ACA, ACCA, CIMA or AAT accountant with at least seven years’ experience in finance and operations management, ideally within a charity or similarly values-led organisation.

You will also bring:

• Experience across HR, IT, risk, data protection and health and safety
• Strong financial planning, reporting and analytical skills
• Knowledge of accounting software, spreadsheets and CRM systems
• Experience managing and developing people
• Strategic thinking and proven project management skills
• Confidence working with trustees and producing board-level reports
• An understanding of how organisational systems support small, remote teams
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative, self-directed approach

Knowledge of charity governance, philanthropy, Salesforce, Xero or digital transformation would be advantageous. An interest in environmental issues and improving the planet for future generations is also welcomed.

About the organisation

You will join a UK environmental charity working to strengthen philanthropy and increase its impact in response to the climate and nature emergency.

The organisation supports a significant network of funders, advisers and fundraisers by sharing research and expertise, building relationships and encouraging greater investment in environmental causes.

It is a fully remote organisation with a culture founded on kindness, trust, inclusion and mutual respect. Benefits include flexible working, a 7% employer pension contribution, learning and development opportunities, and additional discretionary closure between Christmas and New Year.

Applications are encouraged from people who may not meet every element of the person specification. Adjustments can be made to support an accessible and inclusive recruitment process.

Other roles you may have experience of could include; Finance Director, Director of Finance and Operations, Head of Finance, Head of Operations, Chief Operating Officer, Charity Finance Director, Head of Resources or Director of Resources.

Please note this role is advertised by the recruitment agency acting for the client, NFP People.

The role

As a Finance Manager at Cruse Bereavement Support you will oversee the day-to-day financial transactions made by Cruse Bereavement Support and ensure the accuracy, timeliness, and completeness of all income and expenditure transactions undertaken. You will also assist in implementing the financial control within the team, oversee month-end processes and monthly payroll, and prepare the monthly management accounts and supporting information.  This is a unique opportunity to gain experience at a national charity and make a difference.

How to apply

Your application must consist of a CV and covering letter, which outlines your suitability for the role with reference to the Job Description and Person Specification and should be no longer than two pages. If your application does not contain both a covering letter and CV, your application may not be considered.

The closing date for applications is 16th September 2026, with first interviews taking place week commencing 28th September 2026 via Microsoft Teams.

Please be advised that if you do not hear from us by 28th September 2026, unfortunately on this occasion you have not been shortlisted.

Cruse welcomes and encourages applications from all protected groups as defined by the Equality Act 2010. Appointment will be made on merit.

Criminal Record Checks

All staff are required to complete a Criminal Record check. Staff working directly with clients will be required to complete an enhanced check. We comply with the relevant codes of practice and they can be viewed online: 

· Applicants in England and Wales: DBS Code of Practice

· Applicants in Northern Ireland: AccessNI Code of Practice

Previous convictions will not prevent full consideration of your application to work with Cruse. Our Recruitment of Ex-offenders' Policy & Handling Criminal Record Check Data Policy are available on request by email.

We comply with all relevant data protection legislation and process your data fairly.   

Our client operates at the intersection of technology, forensic research, journalism, transparency and accountability, partnering with organisations around the globe and supporting a growing international network of volunteer investigators. It has pioneered the use of open source research methods to investigate some of the most significant issues of public interest around the world. Investigations have covered subjects ranging from the downing of flight MH17 over eastern Ukraine to police violence in Colombia and the illegal wildlife trade in the UAE.

Prospectus are delighted to be leading the search for a Fractional Financial Controller to provide strategic financial leadership, oversee financial compliance and reporting, and help ensure the organisation remains financially robust and well-positioned for the future. The role is required for 2 days per week, for a period of 6 months.

The Opportunity
Working closely with the Chief Operating Officer and Director of Research and Training, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial integrity across the organisation. You will combine strategic financial planning with hands-on financial oversight, leading on budgeting, reporting, forecasting and audit management.
This role would suit an experienced finance professional who enjoys working in a mission-driven, international environment and is comfortable operating both strategically and operationally.

Key Responsibilities
Strategic Financial Leadership

• Develop financial models, forecasts and scenario plans to support organisational and programme development.
• Provide strategic financial insight and recommendations to the senior leadership team and Board.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and support longer-term financial planning.
• Help guide major organisational and programme-related financial decisions.

Financial Control adn Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts and variance analysis.
• Prepare and monitor cashflow forecasts.
• Develop clear and insightful financial reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure robust financial controls and governance processes are in place.

Audit, Compliance and Tax

• Lead and coordinate the annual financial audit process.
• Act as the primary contact for external auditors.
• Ensure compliance with Dutch financial regulations and taxation requirements.
• Oversee statutory reporting and tax filings.

Grant and Donor Finance

• Design and monitor budgets for donor proposals, institutional grants and funding applications.
• Track restricted and unrestricted funding streams.
• Ensure expenditure aligns with donor requirements and grant agreements.
• Support accurate financial reporting to funders.

About You
We're looking for an experienced and proactive finance professional who can provide confidence, rigour and strategic insight in an international and fast-moving environment. 

You will bring:

• Significant experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Head of Finance or similar senior finance role.
• Proven experience managing audits and acting as the lead contact for external auditors.
• Strong experience in financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and management reporting.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly to non-financial audiences.
• A collaborative approach and the confidence to work closely with senior leaders and Board members.

Essential

• Demonstrable experience managing financial operations and taxation matters in the Netherlands.
• Strong understanding of Dutch accounting standards, tax requirements and regulatory compliance.
• Familiarity with Exact accounting software.
• Experience preparing and coordinating annual audits.
• Ability to operate independently in a fractional capacity.
• Fluent English language skills.
• Right to work in either the Netherlands or the UK.

Desirable

• Experience working within a charity, foundation, non-profit or grant-funded environment.
• Experience tracking donor-restricted funding and grant budgets.
• Experience supporting internationally distributed organisations.

Interviews: 1st and 2nd October

At Prospectus we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome candidates from a diverse range of backgrounds. Please let us know if we can help you with the application process in any way. We are more than happy to make any reasonable adjustments to enable all interested candidates to apply. If you have any disability and would like assistance with completing an application, please contact Catherine Bunting at Prospectus.

To successfully lead the Grants team and raise voluntary income from a range of Grantmakers including Trusts, Foundations and local Government grant funders contributing to an overall team target of £1-million +. Working effectively with a grants team of three, and across the organisation, you will meet team annual targets of circa £675,000 through finding new opportunities, building excellent relationships with funders and managing the team effectively. This will lead to more young people reached by Eikon’s services.

Responsibilities

Income generation

· Lead responsibility for raising current annual team target of £675,000 for restricted and unrestricted income

· Work to agreed metrices including an annual target of £220,000 - £250,000/year with a pipeline including statutory, national & regional grant funders (some being invite only).

· Develop and lead networking plan (internal/external) to secure long-term grant and statutory funding opportunities to help increase financial income year on year.

Account Management

· Lead a stewardship framework, ensuring excellent account management of funders across the team (including own portfolio)

· Lead plans for the year, thinking creatively to develop new engagement opportunities such as panels, breakfast meetings and other events

· Collaborate with other leads and managers in the team to maximise opportunities through relationships, for example Major Donors, Corporate partnerships and Individual Givers.

Management

· Line management two staff members (Senior Grants Fundraiser and Trust Fundraiser), creating a positive and supportive working culture supporting them to meet their targets

· Lead on managing pipeline information on Donorfy, being able to pull reports for information and analysis including:

o Provision of data and narrative for monthly team meetings

o Contribution to Board reporting with narrative and pipeline information

o Analysis for annual planning sessions

Quality and standards

· Ensure all staff and volunteers understand and deliver within Eikon’s safeguarding policies and practices when taking part in fundraising activities.

· Ensure all activities follow the relevant Fundraising Codes of Practice and Eikon’s Ethical Fundraising Policy.

· Prepare relevant Grant Agreements and contractual information.

· Carry out risk assessments for all activities for which you are responsible.

· Carry out required basic due diligence on new funders.

Finance and resources

· Budget responsibility with authorisation up to agreed limits

· Operate within organisational approved budgets, policies and procedures.

Communications and relationships

· Work collaboratively with the Communications Lead to devise annual communications and marketing plans, ensuring Eikon is strategically positioned externally.

· Work collaboratively with service leads ensure new services developed meet funder needs and requirements

Strategy/transformation work

· Lead on developing and delivering annual grants plan

· Participating in a Leads network, contribute regularly to organisation matters including strategies, annual plans and budgeting.

Organisational requirements

· Work within Eikon’s equal opportunities, health & safety, and safeguarding policies at all times

· Understand and act when safeguarding issues need to be escalated

· · This is a flexible working role. You must be available to attend regular external meetings across Surrey and occasional meetings at Eikon’s New Haw office. Some meetings may take place outside normal working hours or at weekends.

· Work co-operatively and under the management of The Eikon Charity staff to ensure the highest quality of delivery and support

· Work within Eikon’s internal policies, safeguarding and data protection regulations

· Be responsible for equipment/resources

· To promote, monitor and maintain health, safety and security in the working environment