Head of finance jobs in London

Reporting to the Interim CEO, you will ensure robust financial management, effective governance, and organisational resilience. You will lead the finance function, overseeing budget monitoring, forecasting, management accounts, financial modelling, and compliance, while working closely with senior leaders to support income generation, grant management, and strategic decision-making. Alongside this, you will oversee core operational functions, including assisting with company secretarial duties, contracts management, data protection, and business continuity planning. 

You will be a fully qualified CCAB accountant with significant senior finance leadership experience in the charity or not-for-profit sector, strong governance knowledge, and a collaborative, solutions-focused approach. Experience of leading teams, working with auditors and suppliers, and supporting fundraising activity is essential. 

Reports to: CEO, sits on Senior Management team with CEO and Head of Advice (HOA)

Responsible for: Finance officer and Executive Admin Assistant

Location: Hybrid (Remote based but with attendance required at key events and meetings in London).

Role Purpose
To lead on finance, governance and resources at SMT, providing senior insight on strategy and development. This role requires initiative, flexibility, a willingness to support colleagues across the organization, and strong organisational and communication skills,  including board reporting, leadership on finance reporting to the SMT and board with the ability to manage complex, detailed analysis. This role is well suited to someone aspiring to move into wider senior management; we place high value on ambition and a strong commitment to development within a high-performing organisation at Citizens Advice Lewisham.

Key Responsibilities
Finance Management: Manage income against expenditure with the CEO and HOA. Prepare management reports, budgets and forecasts, annual accounts and manage the audit and trustee annual report process. Provide strategic insight to the SMT on finance.

Governance and compliance: Manage the preparation of agendas, minutes, actions, board meetings, governance calendar and regulatory submissions, also ensuring that LSA obligations are met through scheduling review and approval by trustees on an annual basis.

Support systems Management: Oversee support to day-to-day operations, ensuring the team have the equipment and operating systems necessary to meet all obligations and objectives.

Management:  manage the Executive Assistant and Finance Officer.

Manage external contracts: Working with the CEO and HOA, ensure all contracts are fit for purpose and are good value for money and are delivering agreed outputs.

IT and phone systems: Manage the provision of IT services and our internal systems, building effective relationships with providers and ensuring continued and effective operations are available to the team.

SMT strategy: Providing strategic insight to the SMT on potential risks and opportunities for development across all areas of the role.

HR: Manage all HR functions including grievances, wellbeing, disciplinary, recruitment and onboarding. Working with the CEO to manage consultations with the union. Monitor and report to SMT and board on these areas.

Communication: Foster effective communication with colleagues and external stakeholders, ensuring clarity and collaboration and accountability.

Flexibility and Support: Demonstrate flexibility, ownership and collaboration to ensure smooth service delivery across the organisation.

Any other relevant administrative and support duties required to ensure the smooth running of the bureau.

Important Notice: Before you apply, please download and complete the application and diversity forms on our website. You will need to upload a completed application form and a diversity form to be considered for this role.

Interim Head of Finance | 6 Month + | £300 - £325 per day (outside IR35) | Hybrid | London

For a small London-based charity, we are recruiting an Interim Head of Finance for 6 + months, starting ASAP. Reporting to C-suite, the main accountabilities will focus on providing insightful monthly management accounts and reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Trustees / Board, and to ensure the correct allocation of expenditure to a high number of grant funds. This role will oversee the Finance Assistant and the day-to-day finance transactions, including expenses, payroll, and balance sheet reconciliations.

Main Duties:

• Produce regular management accounts and financial reporting
• Support the Leadership Team, Finance Committee and Board with long-term financial planning
• Lead and review budgeting, re-forecasting and cash-flow management
• Review and re-negotiate all contracts, including office premises, IT, grants, and services
• Oversee the Finance Assistants day-to-day work including transactions and payroll processing
• Work with the Head of Fundraising and Senior Leadership to ensure income generation and fundraising strategy is in line with long-term goals

What will you bring to this role?

• Qualified Accountant or QBE with solid experience
• Strong knowledge and experience of Charity SORP, Grant funding and restricted and unrestricted funding
• Strong experience of management accounts and reporting within a small but complex charity organisation including budget preparation and year-end accounting and Audit
• Strong IT skills including Xero and Excel
• Experience of contracts, facilities management, HR processes and IT would be desirable
• Solid experience of managing and motivating staff

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As an employer, we are committed to ensuring the representation of people from all backgrounds regardless of their gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, ethnicity, age, neurodiversity, disability status, or any other aspect which makes them unique. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds to apply and would encourage you to let us know if there are steps, we can take to ensure that your recruitment process enables you to present yourself in a way that makes you comfortable.

We are working in partnership with artsdepot, a leading multi form arts venue and cultural hub in North London to secure their new Head of Finance. The venue incorporates a 395-seat main theatre, 148 seat studio theatre, gallery, Creation Space, dance, drama and art studios, café and bar and other public spaces, and welcomes over 185,000 people to watch, learn or be inspired by a programme of shows and events.

The Head of Finance will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer/Creative Director and will be an active member the Senior Leadership Team, supporting artsdepot’s strategic objectives and decision-making. The postholder will provide strategic and operational leadership to a small and dedicated team and will be responsible for the financial management of artsdepot, in alignment with organisational strategic plans and budgets, and in compliance with Charity and Company accounting standards and practices.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate:

• Qualified accountant with post qualification experience.
• Leadership experience gained in either a cultural or charitable organisation, with a good technical understanding of business and charity taxation, and charity accounting and reporting standards (Charity SORP).
• Experience of analysing financial information for decision-making, scenario planning, forecasting and budgeting.
• Experience of critically appraising financial systems, processes, controls and making changes to increase resilience and efficiency.
• Experience of managing and processing VAT returns and payroll.
• Strong IT skills including Advanced Excel.

We are seeking a collaborative individual with the ability to work at both strategic and operational level, who can inspire, motivate, and empower others. A process and data driven approach, which is solution focused will be essential.

For more information, please see the candidate pack and contact Katherine Anderson-Scott, Executive Director, Charisma Charity Recruitment. Your application should be submitted through the Charisma website and include your CV and supporting statement.

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.

Location: Barnet, London / Hybrid (2 days in the office a week preferred)

Closing date: 8th February 2026

Charisma vetting interviews must be completed by the 16th February prior to submission to artsdepot on the 17th. Interviews with artsdepot will take place the last week of February / early March.