Finance Manager

Finance Manager
Salary: £50,000 – £55,000
Fixed-term contract (12–15 months)
Full-time (35 hours per week), open to 4 day working week salary not pro rata
Hybrid working 2 days in office – London Bridge

A growing UK-based charity is seeking a Finance Manager to join its finance team on a maternity cover basis. This is an excellent opportunity to take ownership of financial accounting and reporting within a purpose-driven organisation delivering meaningful social impact.
Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will play a central role in ensuring high-quality financial management, robust controls and accurate reporting across both the charity and its trading subsidiary. You will also lead and develop a small team, supporting the wider organisation with reliable financial insight and operational excellence.

About the Role
The Finance Manager is responsible for maintaining strong financial controls and delivering accurate, timely financial reporting to support organisational decision-making. You will oversee the month-end process, balance sheet reconciliations, statutory reporting and audit preparation, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards.
This role also involves line management responsibility and close collaboration with stakeholders across the organisation, providing financial guidance and improving systems and processes within the finance function.

Key Responsibilities
Financial Accounting & Control

• Maintain accurate accounting records across the organisation and its trading subsidiary 
• Lead the month-end close process, including journals, reconciliations and balance sheet reviews 
• Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with internal procedures 
• Oversee VAT returns, Gift Aid claims and associated reconciliations 

Reporting & Audit

• Produce management accounts to support effective financial management 
• Support the preparation of statutory accounts, Annual Report and external audit processes 
• Liaise with auditors and ensure all supporting documentation is accurate and available 
• Monitor and forecast cash flow, including short-term financial planning 

Team Leadership & Management

• Line manage and develop two finance team members 
• Provide support, training and oversight to ensure high performance and development 
• Support wider team activities during peak periods and absences 

Systems & Process Improvement

• Maintain and oversee finance systems, ensuring data integrity and efficiency 
• Contribute to continuous improvement of financial processes and controls 
• Support system administration and user management 

Payroll & Operational Support

• Review monthly payroll processes managed by a third-party provider 
• Support payment runs and resolve queries from suppliers and internal stakeholders 
• Provide financial advice and support to non-finance colleagues across the organisation 

About You
We are seeking a fully qualified accountant (ACA or ACCA preferred) with post-qualification experience.
You will bring:

• Strong financial accounting experience, including month-end and management reporting 
• Knowledge of charity accounting and Charity SORP (desirable) 
• Experience supporting audits and preparing statutory accounts 
• Understanding of VAT, including partial exemption or similar schemes 
• Advanced Excel skills (e.g. pivot tables, lookups) 
• Experience working with finance systems (e.g. Access Financials or similar) 
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse financial data effectively 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage non-finance stakeholders 
• Experience managing or mentoring junior staff 
• This role would suit a technically strong accountant who is comfortable operating in a hands-on environment, enjoys improving processes and is motivated by contributing to a mission-led organisation