Interim Finance Manager

Role Purpose

To provide steady financial leadership, ensuring stability, compliance, and continuity during a period of transition. The postholder will maintain strong financial control and reporting, support delivery of agreed structural changes to the finance team and ensure a smooth handover to the incoming post holder.  

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Leadership and Control

• Maintain strong financial control, reporting and cashflow management.

• Advise CEO and Treasurer on financial stability, risk and reserves.

• Oversee fund management, compliance and key external relationships (auditors, banks, suppliers).

• Responsibility for managing and reviewing financial policies, procedures, standards, systems and processes to guide the charity’s financial decision-making.

• Oversight and administration of the payments & banking process & addressing queries as necessary. Including management of the bank mandate. 

Team Leadership and Development

• Line manage and mentor the Assistant Accountant, maintaining morale, clarity, and professional standards during change. 

Business Planning and Reporting

• Lead the preparation of the FY2026-27 budget, with a focus on three year financial planning. 

• Lead quarterly reforecasting and scenario planning to ensure alignment with strategic priorities and maintain at least three months’ free reserves.

• Prepare clear financial analysis and documentation to support a smooth transition and effective handover. 

Governance and Compliance

• Ensure financial obligations are met on time.

• Maintain documentation to support due diligence, risk management and compliance assurance to the Treasurer. 

Person Specification Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent). Strong record of senior charity or not-for-profit financial management.

• Proven hands-on ability in safeguarding and maintaining financial control, and compliance during organisational change.

• Understanding of SORP, restricted funding, and grant reporting.

• Calm, credible, and pragmatic, able to command confidence of trustees and senior colleagues.  

Desirable

• Experience in environmental, research, or education sectors.

• Familiarity with Sage or similar finance systems.

• Experience in change management and business improvement, ideally within a not-for-profit setting. 

Values and Approach

The successful candidate will combine technical strength with a collaborative, solutions-focused approach, ensuring continuity, supporting staff through transition, and handing over a stable, well-functioning Finance team to their successor.