System accountant jobs in Westminster, greater london

Help us make a bigger difference to families

Home-Start Barnet, Brent & Harrow supports families with young children through challenging times. We are looking for an experienced and organised Finance & Business Manager to ensure our charity’s finances and core business functions run smoothly.

This is a varied, hands-on role within a friendly and committed team. You will lead our day-to-day financial management while overseeing governance administration, HR processes, contracts and organisational systems.

What you’ll do

You will:

• Produce management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial reports.
• Monitor income, expenditure and cash flow.
• Oversee QuickBooks and the work of our Finance Administrator.
• Provide financial information for funders, the CEO and Trustees.
• Coordinate governance, compliance and risk-management processes.
• Oversee routine HR administration and work with our external HR advisers.
• Manage key suppliers, contracts, insurance and IT support.
• Line manage the Finance Administrator and work closely with the Office Administrator.
• Improve systems and help the charity work more efficiently.

About you

You will have:

• Strong charity finance or business-management experience.
• Practical experience of using QuickBooks and producing management reports.
• A relevant finance qualification, such as AAT Level 3 or 4, or equivalent practical experience.
• A good understanding of budgets, financial controls and reconciliations.
• Experience of governance, HR administration, contracts or office systems.
• Experience of supervising or managing staff.
• Excellent organisation, accuracy and attention to detail.
• The confidence to take ownership, work independently and communicate clearly.

You will be practical, approachable and comfortable working across different areas in a small charity. You will enjoy improving systems, solving problems and helping colleagues do their jobs effectively.

The role is office based and requires someone who can stay focussed and productive, working around a busy team

A leading international charity is seeking an experienced Finance Manager – Systems & Treasury to join its finance team on an initial three-month contract. There is a strong likelihood of extension, with the long-term intention for the role to become permanent.

This is a newly created position that will act as the Finance team's subject matter expert for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central. The system has recently been implemented, and the successful candidate will take ownership of its day-to-day management, ongoing optimisation and future integrations.

You'll work closely with Finance and IT to ensure Business Central is embedded across the organisation, continues to evolve and delivers high-quality financial reporting and operational efficiencies.

Alongside systems ownership, you'll also lead the organisation's developing treasury function, managing cash flow forecasting, liquidity and supporting wider financial planning activities.

Hands-on experience with Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central is essential.

Key responsibilities are as follows:

• Act as the Finance team's lead for Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central, taking ownership of its day-to-day administration and development.
• Drive ongoing enhancements, optimisation and future integrations, including timesheet and sales systems.
• Develop reports, dashboards and management information from Business Central to support financial decision-making.
• Work closely with Finance, IT and external system providers to resolve issues, improve functionality and maximise system capability.
• Support and train Finance colleagues, becoming the key point of contact for all Business Central queries.
• Maintain strong financial controls, data integrity and user access within the finance system.
• Develop and maintain rolling cash flow forecasts across multiple entities.
• Support treasury management, monitoring liquidity and identifying opportunities to maximise returns on surplus cash.
• Drive continuous improvements across finance systems, reporting and internal processes.

You will:

• Be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
• Have demonstrable, hands-on experience using and administering Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Be confident acting as the Finance team's systems lead, supporting users and driving continuous system improvements.
• Have experience developing reporting, improving finance processes and supporting system integrations.
• Possess strong treasury, cash flow forecasting and financial reporting experience.
• Have excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work across Finance, IT and the wider organisation.
• Ideally have experience working within an international or not-for-profit organisation.

What's on offer:

• Initial three-month contract with a strong likelihood of extension and potential to become permanent.
• Day rate: £350 / £450per day (via umbrella) depending on experience
• Hybrid working arrangements with a London office.

Financial Accountant | Temp (Part Time) | £200 - £225 per day Umbrella Co | London | Hybrid

For a well-known charity in central London, we're recruiting an interim Financial Accountant until the end of February 2027 on a 3-4 day a week part-time basis. This role will lead on monthly balance sheet accounts, identify and correct ledger errors, and assist the Financial Controller with continuous improvements to the month-end process. The interim Financial Accountant will also support the Accounts Payable team with journals and PO system errors, reconcile payroll control accounts, and intercompany as well as sales ledger reconciliations and fixed assets.

Main Duties:

• Reconcile all balance sheet accounts, intercompany accounts, Payroll controls accounts and HMRC information
• Maintain the Sales Ledger including monthly reconciliations and reporting on balances
• Post fixed asset and depreciation journals, and maintain the Fixed Asset Register
• Upload income batches from CRM system
• Assist the AP team with expenses, PO issues and journal errors
• Support the management of bank accounts
• Support the timely month-end and year-end closure processes
• Assist the Financial Controller with supporting the audit process and following up on audit recommendations
• Champion continuous improvement around finance processes, VAT, control processes, and support stakeholders with any technical queries

Person Specification:

• AAT or Part Qualified CCAB with ideally experience within the charity and non-profit sector
• Experience of processing VAT transactions and VAT accounting
• Experience of monthly reconciliations of balance sheet accounts
• Strong Month-end processes and controls experience
• Strong Excel experience and a super eye-for-detail!
• Ideally experience of producing statutory accounts in SORP 2015 format and working with Auditors

________

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.

Job role: Financial Accountant
Location: Central London
Hybrid: Once a week onsite 4 days from home
Salary: £60,000 - £63,000 per annum
Hours: 35 hours per week
Contract: 12-month interim position


This is an exciting opportunity to join a nationally recognised professional membership body that has recently transitioned to charitable status. As part of an ambitious finance transformation programme, you will play a critical role in ensuring compliance with charity accounting requirements, strengthening financial controls, and supporting the organisation through its first audit and reporting cycle as a charity.

Working closely with senior finance leadership, including a newly appointed Director of Finance, you will help shape future finance processes, governance arrangements, and reporting structures during a period of significant change.

About the Role

This newly created interim position has been established to provide specialist charity finance expertise and additional capacity during an important transition period.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Reviewing financial activity and accounting treatments completed during the current financial year.
• Assessing compliance with charity accounting regulations and reporting requirements.
• Supporting year-end audit preparation and audit readiness.
• Reviewing charity tax matters, VAT arrangements and group VAT considerations.
• Improving financial controls, processes and documentation.
• Supporting the development of finance systems and reporting capabilities.
• Reviewing intercompany relationships and structures across the wider group.
• Helping implement recommendations arising from audit and compliance reviews.
• Supporting wider governance and charity transition activities.

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

• Qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience in a similar Financial Accountant role in the charity sector
• Good understanding of technical accounting for charities (FRS 102, Charities SORP, group consolidations) and taxation (VAT/PESM, Gift Aid).
• Experience supporting audits and strengthening financial controls.
• Experience improving finance systems, processes and reporting structures.

Desirable Experience

• Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.
• Audit background.
• Experience within a membership body, professional organisation, charity or complex group structure.

Why Apply?

This role offers the opportunity to:

• Play a key role in a high-profile organisational transformation.
• Influence how the finance function develops for the future.
• Work on a varied mix of charity accounting, tax, governance and compliance projects.
• Partner with senior finance leaders and external advisers.
• Make a visible and lasting impact on the organisation's financial framework and controls.

We want you to have every opportunity to demonstrate your skills, ability and potential; please contact us if you require any assistance or adjustment so that we can help with making the application process work for you.

Assistant Accountant – Operations & Control

Salary: £39,129.53 - £43,128.79

Location: National / predominantly remote working

MLC Partners is currently recruiting an Assistant Accountant – Operations & Control for a large, highly impactful organisation operating nationally across the UK.

This is a fantastic to develop a broad finance skillset offering exposure across several areas of finance, with responsibility for maintaining accurate financial records, supporting strong financial controls and helping ensure key finance processes operate effectively.

You'll gain hands-on exposure to multiple areas of financial control while working alongside experienced finance professionals within a collaborative, purpose-led organisation. The organisation is also committed to career development and progression, making this a strong opportunity for someone looking to continue developing their finance career.

The role is predominantly remote, with a national remit and connection to a regional business unit.

The Role

Reporting to the Financial Controller, you will work closely with colleagues across Finance and the wider organisation, supporting a broad range of accounting and financial control activities. In this role, you will gain exposure to cashflow and treasury, balance sheet control, fixed assets, audit, VAT and tax, insurance, credit control and regulatory reporting.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Producing daily cash position reporting and supporting effective treasury and cashflow management.
• Completing bank reconciliations, investigating variances and ensuring transactions are accurately recorded.
• Supporting the preparation and maintenance of cashflow forecasts, including deposits and short-term investment balances.
• Supporting balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring balances are accurate, complete and appropriately evidenced.
• Assisting with fixed asset and lease accounting, including additions, disposals, depreciation, provisions and reconciliations.
• Maintaining accurate intercompany balances and resolving differences promptly.
• Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and year-end audit, including working papers, audit requests and statutory disclosures.
• Preparing and supporting the submission of quarterly VAT returns and assisting with wider tax compliance requirements.
• Providing support across credit control and income processes, including monitoring aged debt and helping resolve queries.
• Contributing to continuous improvements across finance processes, systems and controls.

About you:

We are looking for someone with previous experience working within a finance or accounting environment, ideally with exposure to reconciliations, cashflow, month-end, audit or other operational finance processes.

You may be AAT qualified, approaching the final stages of ACCA, CIMA or ACA, or have equivalent experience. A good understanding of VAT and tax compliance is essential, while knowledge of financial controls, accounting standards and balance sheet accounting would be advantageous.

You will need:

• Has strong attention to detail and takes pride in producing accurate, well-controlled work.
• Is confident reconciling and analysing financial information and investigating discrepancies.
• Can manage multiple priorities and work effectively to month-end and audit deadlines.
• Has strong organisational and planning skills.
• Can communicate financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Is proactive, solutions-focused and keen to identify opportunities to improve processes and systems.

If you're an ambitious finance professional who enjoys variety, problem-solving and taking ownership of your work, we'd love to hear from you.

Please get in touch with Sam at MLC Partners for a confidential conversation.

Senior Management Accountant

Uxbridge High School | Permanent | Full Time | £49,054 – £53,171 per annum

Goodman Masson are delighted to be supporting Uxbridge High School with the appointment of a Senior Management Accountant.

We are looking for a technically strong, fully qualified accountant to join the Finance Team at this exciting and ambitious school, playing a key role in strengthening financial management and supporting effective decision-making across the organisation.

About Uxbridge High School

Uxbridge High School is a highly successful, oversubscribed co-educational academy for students aged 11–18, with more than 1,300 students, including 220 students in the sixth form.

The school has a strong local reputation and is proud of its diverse and ambitious student body, dedicated staff and commitment to providing a gold standard education.

The Finance Team plays a vital role in supporting the school's strategic priorities, ensuring strong financial management, accountability and value for money.

About the role

As Senior Management Accountant, you will report to the Director of Finance & Operations and take ownership of a broad range of management accounting and financial management responsibilities.

You will lead on the preparation of management accounts, budget monitoring, forecasting, reconciliations, cashflow reporting, payroll review and financial controls.

A key part of the role will be providing clear financial insight and commentary to the Director of Finance & Operations, senior leaders, trustees and budget holders, helping ensure financial information translates into effective organisational decision-making.

You will also have supervisory responsibilities, providing technical guidance to colleagues, reviewing finance work and helping to ensure the team consistently delivers accurate work to agreed deadlines.

Key responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading on monthly management accounts, forecasts and budget monitoring
• Providing insightful variance analysis and financial commentary
• Supporting senior leaders and budget holders with financial advice
• Leading month-end and year-end processes
• Maintaining and reviewing key balance sheet and control account reconciliations
• Managing cashflow reporting and wider financial planning
• Reviewing and reconciling monthly payroll
• Supporting internal and external audit processes
• Supporting the five-year budget plan and integrated financial planning

About you

We are seeking a fully qualified accountant with a recognised professional qualification such as ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS or equivalent.

You will have a strong management accounting background and experience across areas such as management accounts, forecasting, budget monitoring, reconciliations, month-end and year-end processes.

We are particularly keen to speak with candidates who have experience of:

• Producing management accounts and financial reports
• Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
• Financial controls and reconciliations
• Audit preparation and supporting audit queries
• Improving financial systems and processes
• Working accurately to tight deadlines
• Advanced Excel and financial data analysis

Experience within a school, academy trust, charity, public sector or similarly regulated environment would be advantageous. Knowledge of academy finance requirements, ESFA returns and school MIS platforms would also be desirable.

You will be a confident communicator who can explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders, challenge appropriately and build strong relationships across an organisation.

What's on offer?

Alongside a salary of £49,054 – £53,171 per annum, inclusive of Outer London weighting, the successful candidate will receive:

• 34 days' annual leave, rising to 37 days after 10 years' continuous service
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Early finish on Fridays
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Staff wellbeing initiatives

Application deadline is Wednesday 26^th August. CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, please apply ASAP to ensure you are considered.

Our mission is to ensure effective financial and risk management of Southbank Centre and be acknowledged as a key partner in achieving its aims and objectives. 

Our vision is to: 

• Provide accurate, reliable and timely information so that departments manage and administer their budgets with independence and accountability; future plans and strategy are fit for purpose and risks are understood, managed and mitigated.
• Create efficient, effective and appropriate procedures to protect the assets of the company and ensure compliance with Southbank Centre policies and other legislative requirements. 
• Collaborate as a partner throughout the company on all aspects of our business that require financial input and expertise.
• Work as a team and develop each team member to the maximum so we are collectively and individually brilliant.
• At all times align our objectives with those of Southbank Centre.

Please download the attached Job Description for a full overview of this role's responsibilities.

The annual salary stated is based on the Full-Time Equivalent (40 hours per week). If the job is part-time, the weekly hours will be stated within the advert.

The deadline for applications is 23:59 on the closing date for the job posting.

We endeavour to keep job adverts open for at least two weeks for prospective applicants to apply. However, if we receive a high volume of applications for a role, we reserve the right to close the vacancy early. Therefore, we encourage you to submit your application as early as possible to ensure consideration for shortlisting.

Please note, applications sent via Email or 3rd party agencies will not be considered.

Need reasonable adjustments? Please contact us so we can help make the application process accessible to you. Be sure to include the job you are applying for and your full name.

Charity People have partnered with The Royal College of Pharmacy to help find a technically strong Financial Accountant. This is a pivotal period of organisation during a period of change and transformation. Working closely with an exceptional Interim Financial Controller, you will play a key role in financial reporting, tax compliance, systems development and strengthening financial controls as the organisation transitions to a new charitable structure.

Candidates applying for this role must have charity experience. Due to the urgency of this role, we will be closing the role on 24th August, 2026 at 09:00 and interviews will be held as soon as possible via MSTeams.

Salary: £58,000 - £65,000 per annum

Location: Tower Hill

Hybrid: Once a week

Duties & Responsibilities

• Support monthly, year-end and statutory financial reporting processes.
• Manage VAT, Gift Aid, Corporation Tax and other taxation requirements.
• Review and strengthen balance sheet reconciliations and financial controls.
• Assist with audit activities and consolidated group accounting.
• Develop finance systems, procedures and SORP-compliant reporting frameworks.
• Working closely with the Financial Controller to lead the audit

Person Specification

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong financial accounting experience within a medium-sized organisation or group.
• Knowledge of Charities SORP, consolidations and charity taxation.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Proficient in financial systems and advanced Excel reporting.
• Background in a charity, membership organisation or Royal College environment

Desirable:

• Knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central.

Role closing: 24th August, 2026

Interviews: TBC

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.

Senior Management Accountant

Uxbridge High School | Permanent | Full Time | £49,054 – £53,171 per annum

Goodman Masson are delighted to be supporting Uxbridge High School with the appointment of a Senior Management Accountant.

We are looking for a technically strong, fully qualified accountant to join the Finance Team at this exciting and ambitious school, playing a key role in strengthening financial management and supporting effective decision-making across the organisation.

About Uxbridge High School

Uxbridge High School is a highly successful, oversubscribed co-educational academy for students aged 11–18, with more than 1,300 students, including 220 students in the sixth form.

The school has a strong local reputation and is proud of its diverse and ambitious student body, dedicated staff and commitment to providing a gold standard education.

The Finance Team plays a vital role in supporting the school's strategic priorities, ensuring strong financial management, accountability and value for money.

About the role

As Senior Management Accountant, you will report to the Director of Finance & Operations and take ownership of a broad range of management accounting and financial management responsibilities.

You will lead on the preparation of management accounts, budget monitoring, forecasting, reconciliations, cashflow reporting, payroll review and financial controls.

A key part of the role will be providing clear financial insight and commentary to the Director of Finance & Operations, senior leaders, trustees and budget holders, helping ensure financial information translates into effective organisational decision-making.

You will also have supervisory responsibilities, providing technical guidance to colleagues, reviewing finance work and helping to ensure the team consistently delivers accurate work to agreed deadlines.

Key responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading on monthly management accounts, forecasts and budget monitoring
• Providing insightful variance analysis and financial commentary
• Supporting senior leaders and budget holders with financial advice
• Leading month-end and year-end processes
• Maintaining and reviewing key balance sheet and control account reconciliations
• Managing cashflow reporting and wider financial planning
• Reviewing and reconciling monthly payroll
• Supporting internal and external audit processes
• Supporting the five-year budget plan and integrated financial planning

About you

We are seeking a fully qualified accountant with a recognised professional qualification such as ACCA, CIPFA, CIMA, ICAEW, ICAS or equivalent.

You will have a strong management accounting background and experience across areas such as management accounts, forecasting, budget monitoring, reconciliations, month-end and year-end processes.

We are particularly keen to speak with candidates who have experience of:

• Producing management accounts and financial reports
• Budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis
• Financial controls and reconciliations
• Audit preparation and supporting audit queries
• Improving financial systems and processes
• Working accurately to tight deadlines
• Advanced Excel and financial data analysis

Experience within a school, academy trust, charity, public sector or similarly regulated environment would be advantageous. Knowledge of academy finance requirements, ESFA returns and school MIS platforms would also be desirable.

You will be a confident communicator who can explain financial information to non-finance stakeholders, challenge appropriately and build strong relationships across an organisation.

What's on offer?

Alongside a salary of £49,054 – £53,171 per annum, inclusive of Outer London weighting, the successful candidate will receive:

• 34 days' annual leave, rising to 37 days after 10 years' continuous service
• Local Government Pension Scheme
• Early finish on Fridays
• Private healthcare and wellbeing support
• Staff wellbeing initiatives

Application deadline is Wednesday 26^th August. CVs will be reviewed on a rolling basis, please apply ASAP to ensure you are considered.

Are you an experienced operational leader who thrives on making organisations run brilliantly behind the scenes?

Southwark Charities is entering an exciting new chapter. With a £100m property portfolio, a growing grant programme and the development of 64 new almshouses, we're looking for an exceptional Head of Resources to lead the systems and processes that keep our charity strong.

Reporting to the CEO, you'll oversee finance, HR, IT, governance, property compliance, contracts and organisational systems, ensuring the charity operates efficiently, remains compliant and is well positioned for future growth. You'll work in a small, dedicated team while working closely with colleagues to deliver outstanding services for older people across Southwark.

This is a hands-on role for someone who enjoys improving processes, managing change and finding practical solutions. You'll bring experience in operations, finance or corporate services, excellent organisational skills and the confidence to work across multiple disciplines.

If you're looking for a varied senior role where your expertise will have a direct impact on people's lives and the future of a respected historic charity, we'd love to hear from you.

Financial Accountant – Income and Payroll Focus (FPA&A)

Salary: £47,851 - £52,380

Location: National / predominantly remote working

MLC Partners is recruiting a Financial Accountant – Income and Payroll Focus (FPA&A) for a large, highly impactful organisation operating nationally across the UK.

This is a key role responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of income and payroll-related financial information, while working collaboratively with colleagues across Finance and the wider organisation.

This is a great opportunity to join a purpose-led, values-driven organisation in a role that offers plenty of ownership and exposure across the wider finance function.

You'll be joining an organisation committed to investing in its people, creating an inclusive working environment and supporting colleagues to develop and progress in their careers.

The role is predominantly remote, with a national remit and connection to a regional business unit.

The Role

Reporting to the Head of Financial Planning, Analysis & Accounting, you will take responsibility for key areas of income and payroll accounting, supporting robust month-end processes and ensuring financial information is complete, accurate and appropriately controlled.

You will work closely with colleagues across Finance, Payroll, Accounts Receivable and operational teams, providing both technical accounting expertise and practical support.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of income accounting, accruals and adjustments, ensuring they are accurate, complete and compliant with relevant accounting standards.
• Driving the period close process for income and payroll-related areas, reviewing actuals, trends and exceptions and resolving issues promptly.
• Preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, including deferred income and income provisions.
• Working closely with Payroll to ensure salary-related accruals and adjustments are accurately reflected within the accounts.
• Supporting budget holders and Finance colleagues with income and payroll queries, helping to identify root causes and reduce recurring issues.
• Providing cover and support around billing, income processing and cash collection, helping maintain resilient processes across the team.
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, with a focus on getting things right first time and reducing manual entries at month and year-end.
• Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts and year-end audit, producing high-quality working papers and responding to auditor queries.

About you:

You will have a good understanding of income recognition, accruals, deferred income, provisions and payroll-related costs, alongside practical experience of balance sheet reconciliations and period close activities. Previous involvement in audit processes and preparing audit evidence or working papers will also be important.

Beyond your technical expertise, you will be proactive, collaborative and solutions-focused, with strong attention to detail and a commitment to financial accuracy.

You will need:

• Studying towards or already hold a professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Experience across financial accounting, income accounting and/or month-end processes.
• Comfortable working to tight deadlines.
• Strong understanding of income recognition, accruals, deferred income, provisions and payroll-related costs
• Practical experience of balance sheet reconciliations and period close activities.

· Previous involvement in audit processes and preparing audit evidence or working papers will also be important.

• Strong attention to detail and communication skills to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Confident using finance systems and excel.

The organisation is open to part-qualified candidates, so this could be particularly attractive to someone progressing through ACA, ACCA or CIMA who already has solid experience within the Financial Accounting function.

If you’re looking for a role where finance is genuinely expected to partner, influence and challenge, please get in touch with Sam at MLC Partners for a confidential conversation.

Interim Payroll Review Consultant (Outside IR35)

Contract: Interim Consultancy (Outside IR35)

Duration: Approximately 3 months (with potential extension)

Location: Hybrid, London

Day Rate: Competitive

The Opportunity

A leading international humanitarian charity is seeking an experienced Payroll Review Consultant to undertake a strategic review of its payroll function. This is a consultancy assignment for someone who can quickly assess the current payroll operating model, identify opportunities for improvement, and provide clear recommendations for the future delivery of payroll services.

The successful consultant will engage with stakeholders across Finance, HR and Payroll to understand existing processes, systems and controls before producing a practical roadmap for change. A key outcome will be determining whether payroll should continue to be delivered in-house or be outsourced to a third-party provider.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced payroll transformation specialist who enjoys diagnosing complex operational challenges and delivering strategic recommendations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct a comprehensive review of the organisation's current payroll function, processes and operating model.
• Assess the efficiency, effectiveness and resilience of existing payroll operations.
• Review payroll governance, controls, compliance and associated risks.
• Evaluate current payroll systems, reporting capabilities and integration with HR and Finance.
• Map end-to-end payroll processes and identify inefficiencies, duplication and opportunities for automation.
• Benchmark the current function against best practice.
• Carry out an options appraisal comparing an in-house payroll model against outsourcing to a managed payroll provider.
• Develop a robust business case outlining the advantages, risks, costs and implementation considerations for each option.
• Present findings and recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Produce a practical roadmap and implementation plan for the preferred operating model.

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate:

• Significant experience reviewing, transforming or redesigning payroll functions.
• Proven experience leading payroll transformation or operating model reviews.
• Strong understanding of UK payroll legislation, compliance and governance.
• Experience evaluating outsourced payroll providers and managed service models.
• Excellent analytical and process mapping skills.
• Ability to engage credibly with senior Finance, HR and operational stakeholders.
• Strong report writing and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate complex findings clearly.
• Experience within the charity, public sector or other complex organisations would be advantageous, although not essential.
• A proactive, independent consultant who is comfortable working autonomously and delivering recommendations with minimal supervision.

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver:

• Current state assessment of the payroll function.
• Gap analysis against best practice.
• Risk and controls assessment.
• Options appraisal for in-house versus outsourced payroll.
• Cost-benefit analysis and business case.
• Final recommendations report.
• High-level implementation roadmap for the preferred solution.

This assignment is offered on an Outside IR35 basis and would suit an experienced payroll consultant, payroll transformation specialist, or operational review consultant with a track record of delivering strategic payroll reviews and organisational change.

Employment Details: 

• Location: Haringey (N17), London, UK. (This is an In-Person role with optional one day working remotely) 
• Job Title:  Director of Operations 
• Reporting to: CEO, with accountability to the Board of Trustees 
• Line Manages: Operations Co-ordinator and Finance Officer
• Employment Type: Full-Time (40hrs Per Week)
• Start date: October 2026 (Ideally, or later if you have a notice period) 

Benefits:

• Annual Leave: 25 days (Exclusive of Bank Holiday)
• 1 x WFH/flexi working as per policy
• CPD Budget: £1000
• Group Life Insurance
• Discount on Food (Specific Restaurants)
• Free Brunch every Thursday
• Company Well-being Events
• Pension Contribution

Summary of the role:
The Director of Operations is a pivotal senior leadership role at Sister System, responsible for strengthening the people, culture, systems and organisational foundations that enable our mission to thrive. Working closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees, the postholder will play a central role in delivering our current strategic priorities and shaping the next chapter of Sister System as we develop our future strategy beyond September 2027. 

This is a significant opportunity to help shape a growing, values-led organisation founded on co-curation, sisterhood, race & gender equity and the belief that girls and young women should be active architects of the services, systems and opportunities designed for them. With oversight of financial management, people and culture, compliance, risk and organisational infrastructure, the Director of Operations will lead on empowering & ensuring that our internal culture and ways of working reflect the same care, accountability, ambition and empowerment that sit at the heart of our model. 

The role will be instrumental in translating our founding vision into strong, sustainable practice, ensuring Sister System is equipped to grow its impact while remaining deeply connected to the voices, experiences and leadership of the girls and young women we exist to serve. 

Our Charity:
Sister System exists to ensure that care-affected girls and young women are not defined by the systems they have experienced, but are supported to recognise their strengths, shape their futures and access the same opportunities as their peers. 

Our culturally competent, co-curated model works alongside girls and young women aged 13–24 through a long-term journey of support, progression and leadership. Across three interconnected stages, we provide trusted relationships, mentoring, therapeutic support, education, leadership development and pathways into employment. Our approach recognises that meaningful change takes time, consistency and a community that continues to believe in her. 

Founded with girls and young women, not simply for them, Sister System places their voices, experiences and ambitions at the heart of everything we do. Through our growing hub-and-spoke model, we are expanding our reach while also influencing the wider systems, services and institutions that shape their lives. 

Our ambition is not only to improve individual outcomes, but to demonstrate a better way of working with care-affected girls and young women—one that is relational, culturally responsive, asset-based and built around what they tell us they need to thrive. 

As Sister System enters its next phase of growth and prepares to shape its future strategy, we are seeking an experienced and values-led Director of Operations to join our Senior Leadership Team. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen the people, culture, systems and infrastructure that will enable our organisation—and the girls and young women alongside us—to achieve even more. 

Our Vision: 
A world where empowered girls reach their potential through equitable opportunities.

Our Mission: 
To bridge the gap between care-affected girls and young women within mainstream society by working alongside them to ensure they have the same opportunities that everyone else has – at home, school, work and within our communities. 

Our Values: 

• COLLABORATIVE 
  We co-curate programmes with our Sis-Stars. We seek powerful partnerships. 
• EVIDENCE-BASED 
  We build trust and respect within our sector. 
• MASTERFUL 
  We aim for excellence as standard and share our learning. 
• SOLUTION-FOCUSED 
  We innovate to overcome challenges with a long-term goal in mind. 
• TENACIOUS 
  We are not afraid to take a stand and push for change. 

 
Key Responsibilities 

Strategic Leadership and Implementation 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to translate Sister System’s strategy, theory of change, operational model and financial plans into clear organisational priorities and coordinated action. 
• Play a central role in shaping Sister System’s next strategy ahead of the September 2027 refresh, ensuring it reflects our founding commitment to co-curation, the voices of girls and young women, our evolving three-stage model and our future growth ambitions. 
• Lead the development of proportionate planning, monitoring and review processes that enable the Senior Leadership Team to track progress, reflect on performance, identify barriers and remain accountable for delivery. 
• Monitor progress against agreed strategic goals and KPIs, ensuring that risks, dependencies and areas requiring leadership attention are clearly identified and addressed. 
• Support senior leaders to turn strategic priorities into realistic plans, with clear ownership, timescales and measurable outcomes. 
• Ensure that learning from delivery, impact data, staff experience and the voices of girls and young women inform strategic decision-making and organisational improvement. 
• Cultivate a strong shared sense of purpose across Sister System, helping colleagues understand how their roles contribute to our mission, values and long-term ambitions. 

Financial Strategy and Audit 

• Work closely with the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees to shape, implement and regularly evaluate Sister System’s financial strategy, ensuring it supports our mission, strategic ambitions and long-term sustainability. 
• Provide clear, financial recommendations to the CEO, helping the organisation navigate the balance between delivering high-quality, meaningful impact for girls and young women, achieving value for money and maintaining financial resilience. 
• Translate Sister System’s strategic priorities, delivery model and growth ambitions into realistic financial plans, forecasts and scenarios that support timely and well-informed decision-making. 
• Lead financial scenario planning and ensure that the CEO and Board have a clear understanding of the financial implications, risks and trade-offs associated with key organisational decisions. 
• Lead and oversee the annual audit process, working effectively with external auditors, the finance team, senior leaders and the Board to ensure a robust, timely and transparent process. 
• Ensure that learning and recommendations arising from audits, financial reviews and assurance activity are translated into clear improvements and strengthened organisational practice. 

Financial Management 

• Lead the development, monitoring and management of annual budgets, reforecasts and longer-term financial plans, ensuring resources are aligned with Sister System’s strategic priorities. 
• Hold and actively manage the tension between quality, impact, affordability and value for money, ensuring financial decisions protect the integrity of Sister System’s model and the experience of the girls and young women we serve. 
• Provide the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board with clear, accessible and timely financial information, insight and recommendations to support effective leadership and governance. 
• Produce high-level financial reports and analysis covering budgets, cash flow, reserves, forecasts, strategic KPIs and other relevant performance indicators. 
• Maintain and continuously strengthen proportionate financial systems, controls and processes that reflect Sister System’s size, stage of growth and evolving operating model. 
• Ensure that robust financial and performance-reporting infrastructure is in place, with clear accountability, reliable data and appropriate oversight across the organisation. 
• Support Directors and budget holders to understand their financial responsibilities, manage resources effectively and make informed decisions within agreed parameters. 
• Identify emerging financial risks, pressures and opportunities for greater efficiency, advising the CEO on appropriate actions and ensuring these are monitored and addressed. 
• Oversee high quality bookkeeping practice to ensure reporting is accurate and up to date. 
• Work with the fundraising team to develop budgets for proposals and create timely financial reports for funders and donors 

Culture and Operational Effectiveness 

• Work closely with our People and Culture consultant, CEO and Senior Leadership Team to shape and embed a progressive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture aligned with Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• Champion a culture of regular, honest and constructive feedback, helping managers and colleagues to hold crucial conversations with clarity, care and accountability. 
• Ensure that Sister System’s internal culture reflects the relational, empowering and values-led approach that sits at the heart of our work with girls and young women. 
• Review existing organisational processes and workflows, identifying practical opportunities to improve clarity, consistency, collaboration and efficiency. 
• Develop and embed proportionate ways of working that support Sister System’s current size, evolving operating model and future growth. 

People Planning and Management 

• Lead the development of a clear and forward-looking people plan that ensures Sister System has the right structure, capacity, capabilities and leadership in place to deliver its strategic ambitions. 
• Support managers to build high-performing teams through effective objective-setting, regular feedback, performance management and professional development. 
• Foster an environment in which people are supported to grow, appropriately challenged and held accountable for delivering against agreed expectations. 
• Facilitate professional learning, career development and progression across the organisation, ensuring that opportunities are transparent, equitable and aligned with organisational need. 
• Oversee workforce and succession planning, ensuring that the organisational structure remains appropriate, affordable and responsive to Sister System’s development. 
• Work with the CEO and relevant advisers to ensure fair and appropriate pay, benefits and working conditions. 
• Oversee recruitment and the end-to-end employee experience, from attraction and onboarding through to development, retention and exit. 
• Ensure that people policies, practices and management approaches are legally compliant, consistently applied and reflective of Sister System’s values. 

Compliance and Risk Management 

• Ensure that Sister System meets its legal, regulatory and governance responsibilities as a charity and employer. 
• Lead the development and maintenance of a proportionate organisational risk-management framework that protects Sister System’s people, assets, reputation and ability to deliver its mission. 
• Ensure that key organisational risks are clearly identified, owned, monitored and reported to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 
• Promote a culture in which risk is understood and actively managed without limiting thoughtful innovation, learning or ambition.

Governance, Communications and Facilities 

• Facilitate clear, timely and effective communication and cooperation between the Board of Trustees, CEO and Senior Leadership Team. 
• Support the development of strong governance systems, ensuring that trustees receive the information, insight and assurance required to fulfil their responsibilities effectively. 
• Work closely with trustees through the Finance and Audit committee 
• Oversee the organisation’s IT infrastructure and digital systems through external providers, ensuring that they remain secure, reliable and appropriate for Sister System’s needs. 
• Oversee the effective operation of Sister System’s physical workspace within a fully managed office environment, working with building management and relevant external providers where required. 
• Ensure that Sister System provides a safe, welcoming and accessible environment for girls and young women, staff, volunteers, visitors and partners across its hub, spoke locations and external activities. 
• Ensure that appropriate health and safety systems, procedures and responsibilities are understood, implemented and regularly reviewed. 

Person Specification 
We are seeking an experienced, dynamic and values-led operational leader to join Sister System’s Senior Leadership Team. You will combine sound judgement and strong organisational skills with a warm, collaborative leadership style and a genuine commitment to improving outcomes for care-affected girls and young women. 

You do not need to be a specialist in every area of the role. You will, however, need the confidence and experience to lead across a broad operational portfolio, work effectively with professional advisers and external providers, and provide clear, practical advice to the CEO, Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees. 

Essential Experience and Knowledge 

• Significant experience in a senior operations, finance, people, governance or organisational leadership role within a charity, social enterprise or similarly values-led organisation. 
• Experience of translating organisational strategy into clear priorities, plans, systems and measurable outcomes. 
• Experience of developing and managing organisational budgets, forecasts and financial reporting, with the ability to balance quality, impact, affordability and value for money. 
• Experience of supervising or coordinating an external audit process, working effectively with auditors, finance colleagues and the Board. 
• Experience of people planning, performance management and supporting managers to build capable, accountable and high-performing teams. 
• Experience of developing or improving organisational systems, processes and ways of working during a period of growth or change. 
• A sound understanding of charity governance, organisational risk, compliance and the responsibilities of senior leaders and trustees. 
• Experience of working collaboratively with a CEO, senior leadership colleagues, trustees, consultants and external professional advisers. 
• A strong understanding of equity, inclusion and anti-discriminatory practice, and the ability to embed these principles within organisational culture and decision-making. 

Skills and Leadership Approach 

• An approachable, emotionally intelligent and credible leader who can build trust, motivate others and develop effective working relationships across an organisation. 
• The ability to lead with both care and accountability, supporting open feedback and helping colleagues to hold constructive and sometimes crucial conversations. 
• Strong strategic thinking, with the ability to understand the wider organisational picture while maintaining oversight of important operational detail. 
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to present complex financial, people or operational information clearly and accessibly. 
• Strong organisational and project-management skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, meet deadlines and maintain momentum. 
• Sound judgement and the confidence to provide constructive challenge, identify risks and offer clear recommendations to the CEO and Board. 
• A practical and solution-focused approach, with the ability to move from discussion and planning into coordinated action. 
• The ability to handle sensitive, confidential and personal information professionally and in accordance with Sister System’s policies, data-protection responsibilities and GDPR. 
• Energy, curiosity and enthusiasm for strengthening an ambitious organisation as it prepares to shape and deliver its next strategy. 

Values and Commitment 

• A demonstrable commitment to Sister System’s mission and to improving the opportunities, experiences and outcomes of care-affected girls and young women. 
• The ability to model and champion Sister System’s values: Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. 
• A commitment to co-curation and to ensuring that the voices, experiences and leadership of girls and young women inform organisational planning and decision-making. 
• A commitment to continuous learning, reflective practice and personal and professional development. 

Desirable 

• Lived experience of the care system, or a strong professional understanding of the experiences of care-affected girls and young women. 
• Experience of working within a founder-led organisation or alongside a founder CEO. 
• Experience of supporting an organisation through growth, restructuring or the development of a new strategy. 
• Knowledge of culturally competent, trauma-informed or relational approaches to working with young people. 
• A relevant professional qualification or equivalent experience in operations, finance, human resources, governance or organisational leadership. 
• Experience working with social care and educational service providers (statutory and third sector). 
• Knowledge of the Charity SORP, Charity Commission reporting requirements, and other third-sector financial regulation. 

Sister System is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults and expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.

This post is subject to two satisfactory reference checks and DBS enhanced disclosure.

How to apply

Please apply via our recruitment platform Breathe by 31st August 2026. You will be asked to upload your CV and answer the following questions:

Values alignment 
Sister System's model is built on co-curation (working with girls and young women, not simply for them) and on being Collaborative, Evidence-based, Masterful, Solution-focused and Tenacious. Which of these values do you feel most aligned with, and which do you find hardest to live up to in practice?
 
People & Culture
Sister System is a founder-led organisation, underpinned by race and gender equity and a culturally competent, trauma-informed approach to working with girls and young women. Tell us about a time you strengthened internal culture of this nature within a team. What resistance did you meet, and what was different a year later?

Finance 
A key element of the role is monitoring income against budget for current and future years. Charity income can provide additional complexities, particularly with different types of grants. Please explain your understanding of these complexities, and how they impact on recording and reporting, including examples from your own experience if relevant. 

Timeline
Deadline for applications: End of day Monday 31st August 2026 
First round interviews: w/c 7th September 
Second round interviews: w/c 14th September
Decisions made: by 22nd September 

Thank you for your interest in joining Sister System in our mission to inspire and empower young women. 

We are seeking a Roaming International Finance Manager to provide short- to medium-term finance cover and additional capacity across a global programme portfolio. This is a hands-on international finance role, supporting Programme Managers and country teams to manage financial risk, strengthen financial controls, and ensure effective delivery of standard financial operating procedures.

The role may also include the induction, training and capacity-building of new International Finance Managers and local finance teams.

The successful candidate will work across a range of country programmes, often in challenging or developing-country contexts, providing support on budgeting, donor reporting, financial planning, monthly close processes, cash management, statutory compliance, audit preparation and partner contract oversight. They will play a key role in ensuring financial systems, reporting and controls are robust, compliant and aligned with operational needs.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Supporting country financial planning, forecasting and grant/contract budgeting.
• Monitoring grant and contract spend, including cost-to-completion and spend-out plans.
• Identifying and managing programme financial risks.
• Ensuring financial policies and standard operating procedures are implemented across programme locations.
• Overseeing monthly financial close and ledger accuracy.
• Preparing donor, client and country financial statements.
• Managing cash flow, banking arrangements and exchange-rate exposure.
• Supporting statutory, donor and external audits.
• Building the capacity of national finance teams and supporting staff development.

About you

You will be a qualified accountant, or able to demonstrate equivalent experience, with at least five years’ financial management experience, including two years overseas. You will bring strong financial planning, reporting, donor compliance and risk-management skills, together with the flexibility and resilience required to work in varied international contexts. Experience managing and developing small teams is essential.

This role would suit a practical, adaptable and culturally sensitive finance professional who is comfortable working both strategically and operationally, including in environments where living and working conditions may be basic.

PLEASE NOTE: International deployment i.e. living overseas in programmatric locations consecutively ie country changes every 3-9 months.

Accommodation and living/ travel allowance along with 49 days leave entitlement. Plus additional benefits. 

UK, EU, US, Aus/NZ passport holders.