Finance Manager

We are seeking a proactive, forward-thinking, part-qualified or qualified accountant to lead the development of an efficient, AI-assisted finance function for the charity. Reporting directly to the CEO, you will be part of Home-Start Southwark and Lewisham's senior leadership team, in the only finance-focussed role within the team, taking ownership of the organisation's financial systems, reporting, and compliance — and critically, you will have the opportunity to strategically shape how finance operates over the next 6–12 months.

This is a growth opportunity for someone who has an interest and belief in our work supporting local families and combines strong technical finance skills with curiosity about technology, a willingness to challenge existing ways of working, and the confidence to work at Board level. You will implement cloud-based accounting with AI-enabled features, design meaningful management reporting, and ensure the charity is fully compliant with SORP 2026 and Charity Commission requirements — all while keeping the CEO's time focused on leading the organisation, not managing the books.

Why this role matters now

This is not a maintenance role. We are looking for someone who wants to build something — to design and embed a finance function that is fit for a growing charity. You will have the rare opportunity to shape the tools, processes, and reporting frameworks from the ground up, working directly with the CEO to make finance a strategic enabler rather than an administrative burden.