Financial Accountant Jobs

Finance & Resources Manager | Full-time 35 hours per week | £46,749 - £49,521 
Based at our offices in Clapham, near Settle, with flexible home working 

An impending retirement has opened up an exciting opportunity to help shape the future of YDMT and it’s subsidiary YDMT Consultants Ltd. We're looking for an experienced Finance & Resources Manager to join our growing organisation, with a current annual income of c£2million and a staff team of 32 FTE.

Leading our finance and central support teams you'll play a crucial role in safeguarding the financial health of YDMT and maximising our resources in order to deliver the greatest charitable impact.

About Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust 

Yorkshire Dales Millennium Trust (YDMT) is a small Charity doing big things for People, Landscape and Wildlife in the Dales. 

For 27 years we have delivered diverse and inspirational projects, helping to plant 1.5 million trees and securing the future of more than 750 hectares of wildflower hay meadows, creating habitats for our wildlife and helping to tackle climate change. We are passionate about inspiring disadvantaged groups and future generations to care for this special area.

About the role 

Leading on financial management processes across the organisation you will provide high quality, meaningful financial information to support the decision making of our Board of Trustees.

You will support YDMT's fundraising, grant-giving and project delivery - leading the central support team to develop and manage robust HR, finance, IT and facilities systems and procedures.

As a member of the YDMT Executive Leadership Team, you will also support our Chief Executive in shaping the future of YDMT's work. You'll provide support and information to the Board and contribute to our vision and direction. 

About you

We are looking for somebody with a proven background in account management within the charity sector or similar. You'll have a track record of managaing financial accounting systems and handling multiple funding streams in a charitable context, as well as excellent people skills and experience of leading a team. 

Underpinning all of this is your ability to work within our culture – which means sharing our values of being creative, caring, honest and enabling.

London’s Air Ambulance
Finance Business Partner
Salary: £45,000 - £55,000 dependent on experience and qualifications
Permanent, flexible working
Hybrid working, 2/3 days a week in office
Office based Mansell Street
Closest Stations Tower Hill and Aldgate 

London's Air Ambulance treats patients who experience critical injury in the capital and support them and their families on a road to recovery. This is only possible through close collaboration between  London's Air Ambulance Charity, the London Ambulance Service (LAS), Barts Health NHS Trust (Barts), London's Major Trauma Centres and the wider Major Trauma Networks, to deliver groundbreaking care and save lives.

To deliver this service the Charity is split across two locations, with offices in Mansell St and in the Royal London Hospital. 
The Charity has grown significantly in size and complexity over the last few years and we are now seeking a Finance Business Partner to support the Deputy Director of Finance to provide the charity's Financial Performance and Analysis function.

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Finance this post supports the provision of high quality financial reporting to assist budget holders, managers, directors and trustees. Acting as a finance business partner you will provide financial insights, analysis, and guidance to support decision-making and drive the financial performance of the charity.

Key areas of responsibilities;

• Stakeholder collaboration: Work closely with internal and external stakeholders, including finance and non-finance colleagues, to support strategic planning and decision-making.
• Financial reporting: Prepare monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports for the charity, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with regulatory requirements. Own the full life cycle of reports from build to delivery.
• Budgeting and forecasting: Assist the Head of Financial Performance & Analysis in the development of annual budgets and forecasts, collaborating with department heads to gather necessary information and oversee the consolidation and review of departmental budgets into a cohesive organisational budget.
• Financial analysis: Monitor actual performance against projections and conduct analysis to identify trends, variances, and opportunities.
• Systems accounting: Maintain and improve the charity's accounting systems and processes, ensuring data integrity and implementing new features or upgrades as required.
• CRM management: Work closely with the Head of Financial Accounting and Head of Data to ensure financial reporting requirements are adequately considered when managing the CRM.
• Advanced data analysis: Utilise tools such as PowerBl, Power Query, and advanced Excel functions to build reports, conduct in-depth financial analysis and provide actionable insights to support decision-making.

Who are we looking for?

• A formally qualified or part qualified Accountant 
• Relevant experience in a finance business partnering, financial planning, budgeting and analysis.
• An excellent communicator who is able to influence at all levels within the organisation
• Ability to work on own initiative, assess priorities and be proactive.

Benefits for working at London’s Air Ambulance:

• Generous pension scheme with employer contribution rate up to 10%
• Generous annual leave allowance starting at 27 days plus bank holidays
• Health Insurance
• Eye care scheme and many more!

London’s Air Ambulance is fully open to sector experience. As such we welcome candidates from industry, charity or practice backgrounds.

Timetable:
Closing deadline:           Tuesday 28th May
Interview                         w/c 3rd Jun

As our Finance Manager you will be at the heart of the charity’s operations and play a vital role in helping us embark on a new 3-year strategy. Working closely with the Director of Operations and CEO your role and expertise will be pivotal in driving excellence and integrity in financial management and strategic financial decisions. 

Your responsibilities will span the entire financial lifecycle, from budgeting and forecasting to meticulous reporting and process optimisation, you will also lead on management reporting, cashflow planning and the delivery of WellChild’s audit, Annual Report & Accounts.

You will have a detailed knowledge of accounting principles (ideally from within the charity sector), strong analytical skills; be able to demonstrate both operational and strategic thinking and have a proficiency in accounting alongside a relevant finance qualification; (ACA, ACCA, ACMA).

You will also need to have advanced excel skills, experience of charity accounts, SORP and charity VAT and be able to plan, prioritise and organise your work with impeccable attention to detail.

For full details of the role and contact details for a furhter discussion please see the Job description/ person specification and job advert documents.

We look forward to recieveing your application by the 20th May 24.

Post title: Senior Finance Officer

Salary: £35,000 - £40,000

Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week)

All applications must be received by the 4th June at 11:59pm.

Job description

The Senior Finance Officer will sit at the heart of our Operations Team, reporting to the Head of Operations and the Co-CEOs and playing a crucial function in ensuring the efficient day-to-day management of the organisation’s financial functions.

This will include all day-to-day management of our financial systems and banking, including our accountancy software (Quickbooks) and our internal financial spreadsheets. This involves recording and tracking the income expected from funders, processing invoices and payments, preparing payroll and producing monthly reconciliations and termly budgets. You will also work with our teams to ensure compliance with our financial policies, process expenses and work with our external accountants each year to provide the information needed for our accounts.

You will also research, advise and steer on both necessary changes to our processes, policies and procedures and standalone project work which may involve tasks such as reviewing our pensions processes or any savings and investments. You will understand and enjoy the challenge that working at a charity with multiple complex funding streams brings.

You will have experience of similar work, ideally in the charity sector and will be familiar with the use of both accountancy software and managing cashflows and budgets using Excel. You will have excellent communication and people skills as well as a proactive approach to problem solving and be methodical with a very keen attention to detail.

Benefits of working at High Trees

• 35 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and 3 Christmas days) rising by 1 day each year after 2 years’ service (capped at an additional 8 days)
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave after 2 years’ service
• Save money off a new bike with the Cycle to Work scheme
• Up to 7% contribution to the staff pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Support Line
• Clear pay structure with yearly increments (based on performance)
• Annual Staff away day
• Premium eye-care vouchers through Specsavers and season ticket loans

How to apply:

Please send a completed CV, covering letter (no more than 2 pages) explaining how you meet the key accountabilities and the personal specification, the applicant monitoring form and the additional information form to [email protected] with ‘Senior Finance Officer’ in the subject line.

If you have any questions about the role or High Trees, please contact [email protected]

At Ambitious about Autism, we're currently looking for a Finance Business Partner to join our team.

You'll be responsible for the Business Partnering of some strategically important areas across the Group, supporting them to deliver their financial targets by developing trusted relationships and working alongside ELT members and budget holders to produce their finance model, annual budget and termly forecasts.

You'll influence and negotiate with senior colleagues and provide technical and strategic insight to ensure AaA reaches its financial targets. You'll lead on the monthly management accounts and reporting process, providing financial advice and support to projects within key departments and ensure that budgetary implications of projects are understood and dealt with appropriately.

The role would suit either a qualified accountant (can be recently qualified) who trained at a top 15 private accountancy firm/equivalent public body (e.g. NAO) or an experienced finance business partner.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has an accountancy qualification (ICAEW/ACCA/CIMA/CIPF);
• Can rapidly build understanding in a complex new environment and who can work independently, exercising judgement while not under close supervision;
• Has knowledge and experience of strategic finance and business planning;
• Has either knowledge of the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) (FRS 102) 2019, or knowledge of IFRS or FRS102 and the ability to quickly learn the differences under the SORP (with support from colleagues); and
• Has proven experience of working closely with stakeholders at varying level of seniority.

In return, we offer great benefits including a generous holiday allowance and commitment to continued professional development (CPD), flexible, hybrid working and more!

This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious individual who would like to work for a forward-thinking, open and honest organisation and make a real impact to the young people we work with. Please find our full recruitment pack on the link below.

If you have any questions about the role or would like to have a confidential chat, please contact James Axford, Recruitment Officer.

Ambitious about Autism is fully committed to equality of opportunity and diversity and we warmly welcome applications from all suitably-qualified candidates. We welcome applications regardless of race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origins, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, disability, or age. All applications will be considered solely on merit.

Ambitious about Autism is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and successful candidates will be subject to an Enhanced DBS check. As part of our Safer Recruitment checks, an online search maybe carried out in line with Keeping Children Safe in Education.

The Safeguarding responsibilities of the post as per the job description and personal specification.
Whether the post is exempt from the rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 and the amendment to the Exceptions Order 1975, 2013 and 2021. This means that when applying for certain jobs and activities certain spent convictions and cautions are ‘protected', so they do not need to be disclosed to employers, and if they are disclosed, employers cannot take them into account. Further information about filtering offences can be found in the DBS Filter Guidance.

Job Description

Summary of Job Purpose

The Business and Operations Lead plays a vital role in managing and developing the operational business functions of the organisation and supporting its charitable aims; working closely with the CEO to deliver and improve the organisation’s strategic planning, operational delivery, and budgeting/ finance processes. The postholder plays a vital role in ensuring that the day-to-day operations of the iHV run smoothly, with key functions:

• Leading iHV business and financial management, including accounting, budgeting, reporting, strategic planning and risk management.

o Work closely with the CEO, senior leadership team and our accountants to align financial and operational strategies.

o Manage financial controls, procedures, and systems.

o Collaborate with various departments, including external stakeholders, for effective budgeting and operational management.

• Leading iHV operations:

o Senior responsibility for administrative, legal, and compliance functions, ensuring smooth operations. This will include management of our Emsworth Office, IT and risks, supporting business planning and change management.

o Lead the operational change for a new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and website. iHV Project Lead working with the supplier, the Project Manager and a small team at the iHV to ensure that the project is delivered within the specified time, cost and quality parameters of the specification.

o Working closely with our part-time Head of HR, supporting the senior management team and line managers with HR matters, including recruitment.

o Line management responsibilities of designated staff in the corporate team, supporting business administration.

o Working with the CEO to ensure good governance of Board-related matters, collating Board papers and attending quarterly Board meetings.

Key areas of responsibility:

Business and financial management:

• Maintain and develop robust quality assurance processes for income and expenditure, working with our CEO and accountants, to ensure all financial and reputational risks are effectively managed.
• Ensure effective financial processes across the iHV, with systems in place for invoicing, managing iHV payments and standing orders, and chasing outstanding payments and debtors.
• Build departmental budgets, supporting leads with forecasting, budget tracking, monthly monitoring (management accounts are produced by our independent accountants) to inform workforce planning.
• Work with department leads to prepare budgets for tenders and project/ research grant applications, including determining when VAT is applicable.
• Process invoices, iHV card payments, direct debits, standing orders, expense claims forms and ordering of office supplies, with support from the Corporate Team Administrator.
• Support leads to manage contracting, invoicing and reporting to external funders in accordance with funder requirements. Ensure all new funding streams and other costs are accurately recorded by the accountants.
• Ensure management of the corporate member joiners to the organisation, including invoicing and setting up a process for re-invoicing.
• Work closely with the external accountants to provide information on monthly suspense, debtors, mis-postings and general queries in relation to iHV finance. Ensure the iHV’s reconciliation and remittance records are updated weekly.
• Ensure all financial documentation is available for scrutiny as required, including support for annual financial audit by independent auditors.
• Make recommendations, provide advice, and prepare strategic reports and briefings as required.

Operational Management and Governance:

• Support the CEO and department leads in managing human resources, risk management, quality assurance, operational change, and board functions.
• Support iHV business planning and the development of key objectives and priorities for the corporate Team (in partnership with the CEO and other leads within the corporate team).
• Oversee the operational needs of the Institute – supporting leads within the organisation with workflow mapping, business continuity and planning to support matrix working across the organisation.
• Recording and monitoring of business risks across the organisation to enable risk management, reporting to the Board and providing support in association with the CEO.
• Support the board, providing secretariat functions to board meetings, including ensuring all papers are provided on time, managing sensitive information, and taking board minutes.
• Work with the CEO to develop, coordinate and implement organisational policies throughout the Institute.
• Support the CEO with reporting to the Charity Commission/ Companies House and ensuring that the organisation’s charitable obligations are met. Work with external auditors to deliver the annual audits; and ensure that the relevant documentation is held in line with requirements, is available for external auditing, and the delivery of audit recommendations are tracked.
• Support Health & Safety risk management, ensuring risk assessments are in place, processes and policies are up to date, and staff are trained and informed with any changes.

Information Technology

• Management of robust administration and business support systems, including negotiation and management of IT agreements, subscriptions, licences and contracts as required, providing recommendations for improvements and efficiencies to the CEO.
• Facilities management of required IT and infrastructure to include details of equipment held and provision of Microsoft/ other required licences.
• Liaise and schedule work to be undertaken under external IT support contract.
• Lead operational change for new Customer Relationship Management (CRM) system and website – working with a dedicated project manager who has scoped our organisational requirements (almost completed), to finalise the invitation to tender (ITT), manage the procurement process, evaluate submissions with a small in-house change team at the iHV, and make recommendations to the board. The postholder will lead the project for the iHV, working with the supplier, the Project Manager and a small team at the iHV to ensure that the project is delivered within the specified time, cost and quality parameters of the specification and is robustly tested before launching.
• Information management and analysis to highlight issues/ risks and support decision making – work with Head of HR to ensure iHV compliance with GDPR.

Human Resources

• Management of our Emsworth office with line management responsibility for a small number of designated staff in the corporate team who support business management (currently the Corporate Team Administrator), supporting the delivery of team objectives within the iHV Business Plan.
• Support, motivate and develop staff, managing direct reports’ annual performance development review (PDR) and performance management, if required.
• Work closely with the Head of HR to make sure that good employment practices are universally embedded operationally within the iHV.
• Support staff recruitment and the induction of new staff; provide advice to staff on corporate policies and procedures and communicate changes.
• Support the Performance Development review process for the iHV, collating 360 feedback for iHV employees where requested, and maintaining records for annual PDR outcomes.
• Maintain oversight of the recording of annual leave with the Corporate Team Administrator, Head of HR, and department leads.
• Provide operational leadership and management for team awayday (leading a small team to plan this each year), to support team building and staff development.

Other:

• Have an excellent professional working relationship with colleagues to deliver corporate goals and objectives in line with iHV Vision and Values.
• Help at iHV conference and events, working with our Events Manager and overseeing the work of the Corporate Administrator to ensure that venues, travel, accommodation and materials are booked and delivered on time.
• To participate in all mandatory and individual training as required. To highlight their learning and development needs to the CEO on induction, at the annual PDR, and as needed, to ensure capability to deliver key role functions.

NB

▪ The above is only an outline of the tasks and responsibilities required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

▪ The iHV is an expanding and evolving organisation, as such the job description and person specification will be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the evolving needs of the wider team.

Person Specification

Qualifications (Essential)

• High level of numeracy, literacy, and IT skills.
• Degree in business administration or related field, or equivalent qualification/ postgrad evidence of additional training/courses undertaken.
• Programme Management qualification (PRINCE2, AGILE or equivalent).

Experience (Essential)

• Proven work experience as Operations/Finance Manager or similar role. Prior experience of strengthening organisational effectiveness.
• Significant experience of budgeting, financial management, contract management and forecasting.
• Experience of operational and staff management.

Experience (Desirable)

• Experience in the IT industry and/ or healthcare.
• Previous experience working for a membership organisation.
• Previous experience working for a charity.
• Experience of Charity Accounting

Skills, Ability, Knowledge (Essential)

• A self-starter with the ability to work on their own initiative, work within deadlines, managing multiple and competing tasks.
• Working knowledge and skills in the use of business and financial principles and systems.
• Excellent IT skills – experience of workingwith a range of IT systems and project software. Familiar with Xero, Stripe, PayPal, GoCardless, Asperato or related financial software systems including purchasing, invoicing, reconciliation, debt rectification and financial reporting.
• Outstanding organisational, strategic thinking and problemsolving skills – ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise and respond to sudden unexpected demands. The ability to analyse complex facts and situations and develop a range of options.
• The ability to communicate effectively, including excellent oral and written skills and the ability to negotiate on difficult and controversial issues including performance and change.

Skills, Ability, Knowledge (Desirable)

• Familiar with SalesForce, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems and their capabilities.

Personal Attributes (Essential)

• Commitment to teamworking, and respect and consideration for the skills of others. Personal drive, energy, and enthusiasm for new challenges.

Behaviours and Values (Essential)

• Commitment to and focused on quality, promoting high standards in all they do.
• Values diversity and difference, operates with integrity and openness.

Behaviours and Values (Desirable)

• Actively develops themselves and supports others to do the same.

Other (Essential)

• Ability to work flexibly to meet the needs of the role.
• Able to attend meetings and events around the UK as required.
• Flexibility in supporting other iHV administration requirements on occasions.

Other (Desirable)

• Interest in working in the charitable sector to improve children’s lives.

Our partner, an international charity, seeks an interim finance manager to support the international finance team. The successful candidate will be an all-rounder, with experience in preparing consolidated annual accounts, management accounts, whilst being hands on and taking on transactional elements of the role.

Responsibilities

• Day to day accounting and administration, including posting transactions; payment of suppliers and staff expenses; international bank transfers to overseas country offices; setting up and processing regular giving payments, and processing one off donations; banking; and process monthly payroll.
• Undertake reconciliations of bank and balance sheet accounts.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including BVA analysis and summaries, and income and expenditure reports for budget holders.
• Prepare the annual consolidated accounts and financial statements, and support in the preparation of the annual audit, liaising with the overseas country offices.

Requirements

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant with all-round experience working in a small team within an international charity. Experience of leading on the production of annual consolidated accounts as per charity SORP in the UK, management accounts & analysis, and managing day-to-day accounting and administrative tasks.
• Hands on, able to manage a varied workload.
• Strong business partnering skills, able to work with finance and non-finance staff in the UK and overseas offices, budget holders and liaise with third parties, including banks and auditors.
• Strong communication skills.

This is a part-time role (3-4 days/week), that can be done either remotely or hybrid, coming into the office 1 day/week. All candidates (even remote) must be based in the UK and have the right to work in the UK without requiring sponsorship. This is a 6 month parental leave cover. An immediate start is preferred.

The Task Ahead: Finance Manager

As The Difference moves from its early start-up phase into the delivery of our 2025-30 strategy, our programmes and sector-influencing work are expanding to reach more schools and to deepen our impact. Alongside this growth, our team - and the operational function which supports them - is also growing.

As Finance Manager, you will be a key member of the Finance & Operations team. You will hold end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, from reconciliations to budgeting. You will decide where and how our existing processes could be improved, as well as developing new systems that will underpin our work as a larger and more established charity. You will be supported by the Director of People, Finance & Operations, as well as our external auditors.

The Difference is still a small and growing charity. This means that our work is fast-paced, our roles are broad, and there is a culture of being reactive and flexible, as the needs of the organisation evolve. If this sounds exciting rather than daunting, then this could be the role and team for you!

Areas of Responsibility

The Difference is looking for a Finance Manager to lead our finance function in the following ways:

• Oversee our internal bookkeeping, payment, and accounting processes, and improve these systems ongoingly.

• Lead on budgeting and forecasting across the organisation, supporting teams to predict income and expenditure and make sound financial decisions.

• Lead on the production of management accounting information, including internal monthly management accounts, quarterly reports for Trustees, and financial reports for investors.

• Lead on The Difference’s audit process, with external auditors.

• Work with the Development & Impact Manager to update fundraising pipelines, and ensure the availability of high quality income projections for Trustees.

• Support accurate budgeting and reporting for grant funding, including tracking spend of restricted funds.

• Support business planning by working with teams to model potential future work - e.g. costs of expansion of an existing programme; modelling potential new programmes.

Person Specification

Essential – We are looking for the following skills, aptitude and experience; though you may be stronger in some areas than others:

• Values – Your experience evidences shared values with The Difference (see below) and a personal commitment to our mission to improve life outcomes for vulnerable people.

• Finance experience, operational and strategic – Experience across all areas of finance, from accurate invoicing, payments and record-keeping, through to setting and managing budgets, financial modelling and forecasting, and working with external accountants or auditors.

• Finance process development – Experience of developing finance systems; the ability to recognise how processes could be continuously improved, and enact this improvement.

• Leadership of self and others – Confident in identifying skills or information gaps within your team, and drawing on the expertise of others to address these gaps. Able to show how you've continually grown your own skills and those of your team members so that together you can efficiently cover workload and plan ahead.

• Proactive problem-solving – Ability to thrive in a fast-paced start-up environment and to problem-solve: from rolling sleeves up and diving into detail to working collaboratively to build capacity.

Desired – You are more likely to be successful in your application if you have one or more of the following additional experiences: 

• Accounting qualification and experience - Some form of accounting qualification and post-qualification experience.

• Early-stage charity/social enterprise experience – You may have specific experience growing charities or businesses for social good at the early or start-up phase.

• Experience of charity finances – You may have worked for or supported other charities, and have experience of working with philanthropic grants, charity accounting, and governance.

• Insight into schools – You may have experience working in the education sector, whether that’s through working for a business or charities that partnered with schools, or through working in a school yourself. 

Why Work for The Difference?

Schooling isn’t working for the children who need it most. Every week in England 109 children – equivalent to three full classrooms – are permanently excluded. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Since the pandemic, school suspensions have risen significantly, as has persistent absenteeism. 1 in 5 children are missing more than 10% of their time in school. Children who are excluded or persistently absent are much more likely to already be experiencing vulnerability or disadvantage. They are more likely to live in poverty, have additional learning needs, suffer mental health challenges, or experience a lack of safety outside school. Certain ethnicities are also disproportionately affected, notably Gypsy Roma Traveller and black Caribbean children. 

Exclusion and high rates of absence can have a dramatic effect on life chances. These young people are more likely to drop out of education or employment, become vulnerable to long-term mental ill health, or be at risk of criminal exploitation. The Difference believes that children and young people deserve better and that the education system has to change.

Our Organisation 

The Difference is a young education charity, founded to change the story on lost learning.  By 2030, we want rates of exclusion and absence to be falling nationally and for schools to be better equipped to support all children, including those who may be vulnerable. The Difference was born out of a year of research into school exclusions with think-tank IPPR. This research identified a lack of inclusion expertise in schools and proposed a new leadership development programme to fill this gap. In 2018, Difference founder Kiran hired the team who took this idea from concept to reality, beginning work with our first schools.

The Difference is now a 22-strong team delivering multiple school leadership programmes, alongside a growing research and policy arm. The team is supported by our Youth Advisory Board, made up of young people who have experienced exclusion and who provide their expertise and insights on how school inclusion work should be done. This work is needed more than ever. Effects of COVID-19, coupled with the spiralling cost of living, have substantially increased levels of vulnerability. Schools serving excluded pupils face under-funding. The Difference has had excellent early impact but there is work ahead to capture this, share learning with schools and policy-makers, and grow our capacity to lower exclusions across England.

Our Values

• High Expectations - We are ambitious for excellence from young people, colleagues and ourselves.  We don’t believe in writing off someone’s potential because of their identity or experience of crisis. 

• Strong Relationships - We prioritise genuine relationships over transactional interactions, and know that this requires deliberate relational practice. We see colleagues and partners as people first and their roles second; and know this greater trust allows us to take more risks, gain more feedback and have greater impact.

• Internalised Locus of Control - We work hard to reframe difficult situations to discover what we have within our power in terms of solutions. We take it upon ourselves to walk towards challenges and can take a high level of ownership and agency in our work/

• Pragmatism - We believe leadership means recognising current limitations and striving for improvements within and beyond them.  We develop consensus and chart new ways forward, challenging false and extreme positions like “zero exclusions” or “no excuses”.

• Scientific approach - We take a diagnostic approach to unpicking causes of problems. We are loud and proud of our failures, recognising failing fast and often is key to finding the best solutions. We test solutions and are willing to use data and feedback to make adjustments and choose new directions. 

• Not Squeamish about Structural Inequality - We believe patterns of inequality can and should be disrupted. We strive to be clear-eyed about these inequalities, and both the individual practice and system-changes required to address them. We push ourselves to overcome awkwardness in talking about this; and begin by acknowledging our own biases and blind spots.

• Asset-based - We work hard to avoid deficit thinking and aim to start with what’s strong, not what’s wrong. We are careful not to frame our colleagues and stakeholders - particularly young people and families – as victims but instead to recognise their agency.

• Wise selves - To both enjoy work and do their best, we want to make decisions and work with others in our “wise” - or regulated - selves. We also want to bring our compassionate self to those we work with, externally and internally, to support one another through challenging times. 

How To Apply 

To apply, please complete all sections of the application form by midnight on Sunday 19th May.

First round interviews will be held during the week beginning 27th May, over video call. Please indicate if you would not be available to attend an interview during this week.

If successful in this stage, second round interviews (including a task to be completed the same day) will take place on the week beginning 3rd June, at our office in Bethnal Green. 

We are committed to building a diverse team and strongly encourage applications from under-represented groups in the charity sector such as people from black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, LGBTQ+ people, people with disabilities, people with experience in the care system, non-graduates and first-in-family graduates. 

As part of our commitment to fairer recruitment, all applications will be assessed with names and any protected characteristics redacted.

Recommended Reading 

If you’d like to understand more about The Difference and what we are trying to achieve, we would recommend the following:

• The research which underpins our organisation.

• Our latest Impact Report, sharing our work in 2023

Finance and operations manager – Job Description 

We are seeking a thoughtful, compassionate, and experienced finance and operations manager.  This is a new role in an expanding team that will contribute to the senior leadership of the organisation and be responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations of the charity, with a focus on financial management.  
Our new Finance and Operations Manager will work closely with the CEO to set and manage the organisation’s strategic plan, drive strategic initiatives, manage resources, and foster a positive and reflective workplace culture. 

Key Responsibilities 

1. Leadership and Team Management  

• Embody the values of The Magpie Project and support the CEO to maintain the core vision and principles of the organisation in all its activities. 

• Support the CEO in overseeing the day-to-day activities of the charity, including deputising for her when appropriate. 

• Cultivate strong relationships with stakeholders (donors, community partners, other non-profit organisations), and identify opportunities for collaboration and partnership to enhance the organisation’s impact and reach. 

• Represent The Magpie Project externally where appropriate. 

• Foster a positive and reflective workplace culture that values diversity, inclusion, and continuous improvement. 

• Implement best practices and internal systems to ensure efficiency and effectiveness. 

• Line-manage three staff members – Kitchen Manager, Donations Manager, and Fundraising Manager – in accordance with existing support and supervision structure. 

1. Financial Management 

• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, including all incoming and outgoing payments and invoices, and maintain accurate records in line with financial best practise. 

• Develop and manage the annual budget and produce management accounts to provide regular reports to the CEO and board of trustees throughout the year. 

• Prepare accurate and timely financial reports for donors. 

• Coordinate annual financial audits and ensure timely submission of annual accounts to the Charity Commission. 

• Maintain financial policies and procedures to ensure internal controls are compliant with relevant accounting standards, regulations, and reporting requirements. 

• Monitor and manage cash flow to ensure sufficient funds are available for day-to-day operations and strategic initiatives, identifying and mitigating potential risks. 

• Liaise with off-site payroll provider and make monthly payroll payments. 

• Oversee management of petty cash, including ensuring there is sufficient petty cash to cover travel money and emergency grants expenses at sessions.

• Develop and oversee processes for the distribution of emergency hardship grants, in line with donor expectations and best practice in record keeping. 

1. Operational Management 

• Support the CEO in the strategic direction and operational management of the charity, including planning, service design, programme management, HR, and workforce development. 

• Develop and maintain relevant internal policies. 

• Lead on risk management within the organisation, identifying potential risks and developing strategies to mitigate them.

• Maintain relationships with external suppliers including DBS service providers, insurers, telephone and internet, banking, and software technicians. 

Person Specification 

• Experience in a senior finance role in a charity, including budgeting, forecasting, and day-to-day financial management. 

• Specific knowledge of charity regulation and financial compliance with the charity commission and other regulators. 

• High level of interpersonal and emotional intelligence to enable a trauma informed, reflective and calm working environment. 

• Experience overseeing or supporting internal operations, including line-management, preferably within a charity. 

• Experience of strategic planning, with the ability to think critically and creatively. 

• Willingness to engage in co-production and co-design to include those with lived experience in all levels of planning, service design and governance, a bonus. 

• Ability to build positive relationships with external stakeholders at every level. 

• Commitment to The Magpie Project’s mission and values, with a passion for working in non-profit organisations to create positive social impact. 

Skills 

Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite including TEAMS, Outlook, Xcel, Word, Sharepoint. 
Knowledge of Salesforce or other CRM programme. 

The Senior Finance Officer will sit at the heart of our Operations Team, reporting to the Head of Operations and the Co-CEOs and playing a crucial function in ensuring the efficient day-to-day management of the organisation’s financial functions.

This will include all day-to-day management of our financial systems and banking, including our accountancy software (Quickbooks) and our internal financial spreadsheets. This involves recording and tracking the income expected from funders, processing invoices and payments, preparing payroll and producing monthly reconciliations and termly budgets. You will also work with our teams to ensure compliance with our financial policies, process expenses and work with our external accountants each year to provide the information needed for our accounts.

You will also research, advise and steer on both necessary changes to our processes, policies and procedures and standalone project work which may involve tasks such as reviewing our pensions processes or any savings and investments. You will understand and enjoy the challenge that working at a charity with multiple complex funding streams brings.

You will have experience of similar work, ideally in the charity sector and will be familiar with the use of both accountancy software and managing cashflows and budgets using Excel. You will have excellent communication and people skills as well as a proactive approach to problem solving and be methodical with a very keen attention to detail.

Benefits of working at High Trees

• 35 days annual leave (inclusive of bank holidays and 3 Christmas days) rising by 1 day each year after 2 years’ service (capped at an additional 8 days)
• Enhanced maternity/paternity/adoption leave after 2 years’ service
• Save money off a new bike with the Cycle to Work scheme
• Up to 7% contribution to the staff pension scheme
• 24/7 Employee Support Line
• Clear pay structure with yearly increments (based on performance)
• Annual Staff away day
• Premium eye-care vouchers through Specsavers and season ticket loans

Organisation Summary

Earthed (part of Initiative Earth Charity) is an exciting start-up charity with a dynamic mission to promote ecosystem restoration and agroecology. Earthed enables access to skill-based courses led by teachers from around the world as well as access to engaged networks and the grants you need to start restoring your local ecosystems or growing your own food. It’s here for anyone, anywhere, who wants to restore the air we breathe, the water we drink, the land we farm and the food we eat.

As a growing organization, Earthed is at a pivotal moment, providing an excellent opportunity for a Finance & Operations Manager to contribute to meaningful environmental change and organisational development.

Role Summary

• Lead the financial management, including accounting, budgeting, reporting, and strategic planning.
• Oversee HR, administration, legal, and compliance, ensuring smooth operations.
• Work closely with senior leadership to align financial and operational strategies.
• Manage financial controls, procedures, and systems.
• Collaborate with various departments for effective budgeting and operational management.

Role Requirements

• Demonstrated accounting expertise in a growth environment.
• Proven financial management and accounting experience including budgeting, statutory reporting, and management accounts.
• Familiarity with the financial processes of a member-based organization.
• Understanding of charity compliance and a background in charitable organizations.
• Experience with CRMs and strong IT skills.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to manage multiple projects.
• A passion for ecosystem restoration and commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.
• Desirable: Qualified accountant, policy development, alternative finance, and contract management experience.

Are you passionate about leveraging financial insights to drive organisational success? Are you immediately available or on a short notice period? My client is looking for a talented individual to join the finance team as a Finance Business Partner. In this role, you'll play a crucial part in budget monitoring. If you are immediately available or on a short notice period read on..

My client is a fast-growing charitable organisation seeking an interim Finance Business Partner on an initial 18-month temporary contract, there is also a strong opportunity for this role to become permanent.

Responsibilities:

• Leading on quarterly catch ups with budget holders.
• Lead the development and execution of budgeting, forecasting, and re-forecasting.
• Assisting with producing monthly management accounts.
• Running budgets Vs actuals.

My client is looking for:

• Part qualified accountant or qualified by experience.
• Experience in core accounting roles with at least 3-4 years in a finance business partner role.
• Proficiency in Delivering a timely and robust budgeting and forecasting.
• Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with finance systems.

My client can offer a flexible approach to working, with 1 day a week going into the office based in central London and the rest working remotely. There is also a strong opportunity for this role to get extended or go permanent.

Applications are under constant review and the post can close early if the right candidate is found. Please apply immediately if this role is of interest.

In our company values we aim for equity at all stages of the recruitment process, please let us know if we can do anything to make the process more accessible to you.

We are working in partnership with a charity which offers free and confidential information, advice, counselling, support and advocacy for children and young people under 26 in Southampton, Hampshire, Isle of Wight and Portsmouth whose mission is to empower young people to reach their full potential.

The charity is now seeking to appoint a Head of Finance who will have oversight of the finance team and will lead on strategic and operational financial management of the charity and preparing and analysing information. 

This is an exciting opportunity to build on the charity’s existing successes, developing strength and sustainability to underpin services that benefit thousands of children and young people each year.

The successful applicant will be a qualified Accountant (CIMA / CIPFA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent), consideration may be given to a part-qualified candidate with substantial relevant experience and possessing a desire to consider continuing towards full-qualification. 

You will demonstrate:

• Experience and understanding of financial processes including budget management, forecasting, day-to-day income and expenditure processes, monthly reporting, and year end audit processes
• Up-to-date knowledge of Charity regulations and relevant legislation and legal requirements
• Successful track record in working with a Trustee Board or other executive boards
• Ability to prioritise and organise own work, and that of others, to meet deadlines
• Experience of costing services/projects and producing comprehensive budgets

The successful individual will be part of the Senior Leadership Team and will make an active contribution to the strategic direction, planning and leadership of the charity in collaboration with the wider team.  You will have high level of IT competency to support this role, including the use of Microsoft Office, and excellent communication skills with a commitment to personal growth and development.  You will be a role model for the values of the Charity and ensure the needs of children and young people are at the heart of everything you do.

There may be opportunity to provide leadership oversight to other organisational infrastructure functions including IT, Business Support, Fundraising and Communications, depending on the candidate.

We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. 

If you feel you have relevant skills and experience, please submit your CV and supporting statement to Sandra Smith, via the Charisma Charity Recruitment website.

Closing date for applications: 10 June 2024

Client Interviews: w/c 1 July 2024 (likely Friday 5 July)

MLC Partners are supporting a Central London based organisation within the Higher Education sector, to recruit a Finance Transformation Programme Officer on a 12-month fixed term contract. We are seeking an experienced Project Officer with a strong financial background to coordinate and deliver on various projects, contributing to the improvement and transformation of the Finance department.

This full-time position commences immediately, with hybrid working in Central London.

Key Responsibilities:

• Working closely with senior management to prepare comprehensive action plans, including resources, timeframes and budgets for projects
• To perform various coordinating tasks (scheduling and risk management), along with administrative duties, maintaining project documentation and handling financial queries
• Help prepare budgets, analyse risks and opportunities
• Support the creation and delivery of processes, policies, and procedures
• Ensure that all projects are completed on time, within budget and meet high quality standards
• Provide general administrative support to the Director of Finance as requested

Key skillset criteria:

• An understanding of financial principles, including accounting, budgeting, financial analysis, and reporting
• Proven experience in creating and maintaining comprehensive project documentation, dashboard, plans, and reports
• An ability to prioritise workload and deadlines, collaborate with cross-functional teams and communicate financial insights effectively
• Prince2 certification is highly desirable
• QBE/PQ/Q is highly desirable

Applications will be reviewed daily, and the role may close before this advert. Please contact Annabelle at MLC Partners to confidentially discuss your job search.