We are seeking an experienced and technically strong finance professional to lead our Financial Accounting and transaction processing functions. This is a senior role within the Finance / Resources directorate, reporting to the Director of Resources and playing a key part in ensuring the accuracy, integrity and effectiveness of the College’s financial accounting arrangements.
The postholder will be responsible for the overall management and performance of the financial accounting and transaction processing teams, supporting statutory reporting, technical accounting, treasury management, tax compliance, financial systems development and effective financial control across the group. The role covers the accounting arrangements for the College, its subsidiary and the Malaysian company, with responsibility for maintaining high-quality accounting records and supporting informed decision-making by senior leaders and the Trustee Board.
About the role
You will lead the preparation of annual financial statements for the group and single entity, ensure timely submission of regulatory returns, and provide expert advice on technical accounting matters including FRS 102, Charity SORP, OSCR requirements, VAT and other tax matters. You will also oversee key reconciliations, maintain effective financial controls, manage treasury arrangements and banking relationships, and support the development of financial systems and procedures.
As a senior member of the finance team, you will work closely with the Head of Financial Reporting and Analysis, senior leaders, committee chairs, external auditors, consultants and colleagues across the organisation. You will also lead, motivate and develop a team of
6 colleagues, ensuring strong performance, effective processes and continuous improvement.
Key responsibilities
- Lead the production of annual financial statements and associated notes for the group and single entity.
- Oversee statutory and regulatory returns, including OSCR, Companies House, HMRC and other relevant submissions.
- Provide technical accounting advice and ensure compliance with FRS 102, Charity SORP and relevant regulatory requirements.
- Manage control account reconciliations, ledger integrity and financial accounting processes across the organisation.
- Lead treasury management, banking relationships, investment broker liaison and online banking controls.
- Ensure effective VAT, corporation tax and other tax compliance, maximising tax recovery where appropriate.
- Develop and maintain financial accounting policies, procedures, systems and controls.
- Lead, manage and develop the financial accounting and transaction processing teams.
- Contribute to cross-functional projects and deputise for the Director of Resources as required.
About you
You will be a qualified accountant with a recognised professional accountancy qualification, such as ICAEW, ICAS, ICAI, ACCA or CIMA, and significant experience in financial accounting. You will bring strong technical knowledge, ideally gained within an FRS 102 or similar environment, together with the ability to interpret complex financial requirements and translate them into practical solutions.
You will have excellent analytical, organisational and communication skills, with the confidence to advise senior finance and non-finance colleagues, present complex information clearly, and manage competing priorities. Experience of staff management, team development, financial systems, advanced Excel and working with external auditors or advisers will be important. Knowledge of Charity SORP, fixed asset accounting under FRS 102, or experience in charity or public sector would be advantageous.
Why join us?
This is an opportunity to take on a high-impact finance leadership role within a complex and respected organisation, supporting financial stewardship, strong governance and informed strategic decision-making. You will work with senior stakeholders across the group and help shape robust, efficient and continuously improving financial accounting services.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
To be a strong voice for our family of members, developing their careers, upholding standards, and promoting patient safety globally.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Location: Bristol office, hybrid (minimum three days a week onsite)
Salary: £50,285 per annum
Job Type: Fixed term maternity cover, approximately 15 months. Minimum 30 hours a week, up to full time (37.5 hours)
The role:
This role covers the current post-holder's maternity leave for an anticipated 15 months. As Financial Controller you will lead CSE's finance team, directing and overseeing the finance function in compliance with appropriate accounting standards and practices, company and charity law.
You will provide timely, accurate financial and management information to support strategic decision-making and effective budgetary control by our Senior Leadership Team, Trustees, project managers and other budget holders. You will line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant and be a member of CSE's Senior Management Team.
Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, you will work alongside the wider Operations Team to provide operational support that underpins delivery of our charitable mission. This is a fast-paced role and we need someone who can get up to speed with minimal delay.
Specific responsibilities
An applicant appointed to the role will be expected to:
- Take responsibility for day-to-day accounting, invoicing, payroll, VAT returns, payments and banking, credit control and cash management, including timely monthly management accounts.
- Line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant.
- Co-ordinate the annual budget cycle and mid-year budget refresh alongside the Director of Finance & Operations and SLT.
- Attend monthly SMT meetings to share the previous month's financial results and handle related queries.
- Prepare accurate, accessible reports on organisational, team, staff and project financial indicators to support timely decision-making.
- Maintain the organisation's financial records to appropriate accounting standards and prepare documentation for the annual audit and other statutory reporting.
- Liaise with CSE's auditors to enable an effective and timely annual audit.
- Support project managers to plan and manage project budgets, providing financial data for reporting to clients and funders.
- Provide expertise on financial costing and monitoring approaches for new project funding proposals, reflecting funder requirements.
- Provide finance support to Retrofit West CIC, including financial reporting, statutory obligations and payroll as required.
To see a more detailed list of responsibilities please see the supporting documents attached. These documents are also available to download from our website.
About you:
Essential attributes for this role include:
- Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or equivalent accountant.
- At least seven years' post-qualification experience, including at least five years in a financial management role.
- Working knowledge of accounting standards, VAT and HMRC regulations in England, including requirements applicable to a UK charity with a trading subsidiary.
- Experience of leading the preparation for an annual audit.
- Experience of preparing routine financial and management information reports for senior executives and staff.
- Experience of using timesheet software to track allocation of staff time to different cost centres.
- High level competence with Sage accounting software and MS Excel.
- Able to analyse, structure and sense-check financial data to produce clear, informative reports, with excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven management skills.
- Self-motivated and organised, able to work with limited supervision and manage conflicting priorities.
Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role. To see the full list of essential and desirable skills please see the attached job description.
Benefits:
CSE offer a range of other benefits including:
- You will be entitled to 25 days' paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
- Company pension scheme with 8% employer and 6% employee contributions
- Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Health Cash plan
- Retail discounts
- Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
- We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
- We are flexible with working hours and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.
How to apply
To apply, please download and complete the application form available from our website and send it to our Jobs email (available in the candidate pack). Your application should demonstrate your suitability against the criteria in the person specification and job description. CVs and supporting letters will not be considered.
The closing date for applications is 5pm Sunday on 16 August 2026.
First interviews are expected online on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 September 2026, with final panel interviews at our Bristol office on Thursday 10 and Friday 11 September 2026. The earliest start date is early October 2026.
This role requires a basic DBS check. If invited to interview, we will ask for evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.
Registered Charity
101 - 500
Our mission is to support people and organisations across the UK to tackle the climate emergency and end the suffering caused by cold homes.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.
Thank you!
Using Anonymous Recruitment
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Who we are
Every year, thousands of people in the UK face court alone. Often through no choice of their own, people must represent themselves at a moment that could have life-changing outcomes. This includes loss of access to children or homelessness. At the same time, people facing court alone may find themselves up against a party with legal representation. They are instantly at a disadvantage and overwhelmed by the enormity of the challenges they are up against. We supported unrepresented litigants in the civil and family courts in England and Wales over 45,000 times last year.
We provide a safe space with volunteers who listen to each client’s individual story. Last year, over 1000 volunteers helped people to get their thoughts in order, problem-solve and decide next steps, source relevant and reliable legal information, explain complex procedures, complete court forms, and clearly present statements.
At a time when legal support is increasingly limited, we have a vision that no one should have to face court alone.
Who we're looking for
Ambitious, professional, committed and friendly. That describes us. If it also describes you and you have a passion for working with volunteers and supporting people navigating the civil and family courts, then we want to hear from you.
We’re looking for a Service Manager to join our team on a 8-month maternity cover contract.
The role
The Service Manager will be based in the service department, and you’ll be supported by the Head of Service Delivery.
You’ll be working with our university partner, Cardiff University, to recruit, train and supervise a high number of law students to deliver a high-quality service to our Cardiff clients. You'll also be supporting our current long-standing local volunteers, as well as continuing to recruit more local volunteers. You'll pomote the service locally to ensure that our service is accessible and well used.
To apply, please send your CV and a cover letter about why you're the right person for the role via Charity Job.
Please note, that the start date for this role is 12th October 2026.
The client requests no contact from agencies or media sales.