Lead financial accountant jobs

Help build a network where every child can succeed.

At Ark, we believe that every child deserves access to an excellent education, regardless of their background. For over two decades, we've been transforming lives through education, creating schools where children thrive, teachers flourish and communities grow stronger.

As we expand from 39 to 48 academies, we're looking for an exceptional Financial Controller to help provide the financial leadership that underpins our mission. This is an opportunity to join one of the UK's largest and most ambitious multi-academy trusts at a pivotal point in our journey.

Behind every outstanding school is a finance team that enables great decisions, protects public funds and gives school leaders the confidence to focus on what matters most: delivering exceptional outcomes for young people.

The opportunity

Reporting to the Director of Finance and Procurement, you will lead our financial control and reporting function across the Ark Schools network. You'll oversee a high-performing team of eight and ensure that our financial reporting, statutory compliance, treasury management and internal controls are robust, forward-looking and fit for a growing organisation.

This is far more than a technical accounting role. You'll be a trusted adviser to senior leaders, driving continuous improvement, strengthening financial governance and ensuring we remain an exemplary steward of the public and charitable funding entrusted to us.

You'll lead on:

• Delivering statutory accounts and year-end reporting across a complex group structure
• Leading external audit and regulatory reporting, ensuring full compliance with academy and charity requirements
• Overseeing treasury, cash flow forecasting and capital expenditure across the Trust
• Maintaining a robust financial control environment that supports a growing network
• Developing and mentoring a talented central finance team
• Improving financial systems, processes and reporting to support better decision-making
• Supporting the successful integration of new schools into the Ark network

About you

You're a technically outstanding qualified accountant who combines strong financial control expertise with a collaborative leadership style.

You'll bring:

• A recognised CCAB qualification with significant post-qualified experience
• Strong statutory reporting and external audit experience
• Experience leading and developing finance teams
• Excellent knowledge of financial controls, treasury and balance sheet management
• The confidence to influence senior stakeholders and communicate complex financial information clearly
• A continuous improvement mindset and the ability to thrive in a fast-moving environment

Experience within education, charities or the wider public sector would be welcomed but isn't essential. We're equally interested in candidates from complex commercial organisations who are excited by the opportunity to apply their expertise to a purpose-driven organisation.

Why Ark?

This is a chance to use your professional expertise to create lasting social impact.

Every improvement you make to our financial systems, every risk you help manage and every decision you support enables our schools to focus on delivering an outstanding education for thousands of children.

You'll join an organisation that combines the pace and ambition of a growing organisation with a clear social purpose, working alongside colleagues who are deeply committed to transforming children's life chances.

If you're looking for a leadership role where your technical expertise will have a meaningful impact far beyond the finance function, we'd love to hear from you.

To apply

Please apply via the link. We are proud to partner exclusively with Bryony Thomas from Allen Lane. For an informal conversation please contact Bryony directly through the agency website. 

This is a fast moving process and an early application is highly recommended.

Endometriosis UK is looking for a Head of Finance to help shape the next stage of our development as a charity with growing ambition, increasing complexity and a powerful mission. This is an exciting new role for the charity, and is core to ensuring our ongoing success.

As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you will work closely with the Chief Executive, senior colleagues and Trustees to shape organisational direction, strengthen financial planning and ensure resources are aligned with impact. You will provide strategic financial insight, constructive challenge and practical support across the organisation.

You will lead budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, statutory reporting, audit, financial governance, risk, reserves and controls. You will also support business cases, financial models, capital project oversight, trading activity and commercial decision-making.

We are looking for a qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience, ideally gained in a charity or similarly complex organisation. You will bring strong technical finance skills, sound judgement, commercial awareness and the ability to communicate clearly with non-finance colleagues. Just as importantly, you will be collaborative, values-led and motivated by the opportunity to use finance as an enabler of delivering impact.

This role will suit someone who combines strategic leadership with a practical, hands-on approach, and who enjoys helping colleagues build financial confidence, accountability and discipline.

Management Accountant

(HEO)

£36,000 - £39,494 (National)

plus an Accountancy Allowance of £5,000 pa (Fully Qualified) or £2,500 (Part Qualified)

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers.  We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions. 

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours.  We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service.  Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. 

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.  We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The responsibilities of the Management Accountant will include:

• Facilitating forecasting and reporting
• Producing management accounts for relevant budget holders
• Producing financial reports for corporate stakeholders and GPA clients
• Supporting internal and external audits
• Preparing balance sheet reconciliations including accruals and prepayments
• Investigate variances and ensure transactions are accounted for correctly, as well as identifying trends, risks and opportunities in the financial data
• Supporting the payroll and staff costs, ad-hoc recharging and purchase to pay processes
• Preparing and processing journals

Qualifications & Experience 

• Ideally AAT Qualified, or working towards CCAB qualification
• Good experience of management accounting
• Strong attention to detail and ability to analyse and interpret significant amounts of financial data
• Ability to seek out new information and self-develop
• Highly IT literate and experienced at using multiple software tools, including Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets
• Excellent communicator, with the ability to communicate complex financial information to non-finance stakeholders

For more information, please apply using the link, or contact Emma Fuller at our retained search agent, Robertson Bell.

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION
Join one of the UK's largest and most impactful charities - an organisation delivering life-changing services across communities nationwide. With a long history of social mission, they operate at scale across community development, education, homelessness and support services.

THE ROLE
You will lead the provision of full management accounting support for a portfolio of key business areas, offering financial insight, analysis and proactive business partnering. Working closely with a Mission Management Accountant, you will help operational leaders understand performance, make informed decisions and plan effectively.

Key responsibilities include:
* Delivering management accounts, forecasts, variance analysis and commentary.
* Supporting budget holders with budgeting, planning and monthly monitoring.
* Providing financial advice, insights and training to non-finance stakeholders.
* Preparing journals, accruals, prepayments and month-end schedules.
* Supporting staffing/establishment analysis and headcount monitoring.
* Assisting income streams through invoice management.
* Producing financial modelling and strategic planning reports.
* Preparing year-end schedules and handling audit queries.

ABOUT YOU
* Significant experience in management accounting, budgeting and financial analysis within a large complex organisation.
* Fully qualified accountant - such as ACCA, ACA.
* Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
* Ability to run full month-end independently.
* Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
* Organised, proactive and solutions-focused.

Desirable experience: charity accounting, VAT/Gift Aid, KPI development, strong excel ability.

WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
* Hybrid working: two days per week in the London office.
* 35-hour working week with a strong work-life balance.
* Pension: Matched pension contribution
* On-site café with discounts.
* Minimum 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and Christmas closure.

Please apply now for the opportunity to work with a large, purpose-led charity making a real difference across communities every day.

Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk

CASEwork is a growing finance shared service centre working exclusively with charities and not-for-profit organisations. Due to a significant growth in our charity clients in 2026, we are now seeking a Financial Controller to lead our team, reporting to our Finance Director.

What we offer

• Fully remote working
• 28 days annual leave, plus bank holidays
• Flexible working arrangements around home life and caring responsibilities
• 4–5 days per week, with working pattern open to discussion
• A values-led organisation working only with charities
• The opportunity to shape a growing finance shared service centre
• A varied role across multiple charity clients
• A supportive, practical and improvement-focused working environment

Why join CASEwork?

This is a chance to take on a senior finance role with real influence.

You will help shape how CASEwork delivers finance support to charities, strengthen the quality of our work, support a growing team, and improve the systems and processes that sit behind our client service.

If you are a charity finance professional who enjoys detail, likes making things better and wants to use your finance skills to support the charity sector, we would love to hear from you.

How to apply

Please download our job description and person specification. Send us your CV and a covering letter which clearly evidences how you meet the person specification.

About Ataxia UK 

Ataxia’ is an umbrella term for a group of progressive, neurological conditions which involve problems with co-ordination, balance and speech caused by disruption of the messages sent from our brains to our muscles. 

Ataxia UK funds research into cures and treatments for ataxia, including stem cell and gene therapy. By collaborating with ataxia researchers across the globe, and pharmaceutical and research organisations, we’re confident that cures can one day be found. Until then, we work towards getting better treatments for people with ataxia and providing information and  support to everyone affected. Improving their quality of life and helping to slow the progression of the disease.   

About the Role   

As our Financial Controller, you'll lead the day-to-day financial operations of the charity, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and efficient processes that support our mission. You'll oversee month-end reporting, budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis, providing clear insights to inform decision-making across the organisation. Working closely with colleagues throughout the charity, you'll manage grant and restricted fund reporting, support annual planning, drive continuous improvement in financial systems and processes, and lead a small finance team. You'll also play a key role in ensuring compliance with charity accounting standards, governance requirements and best practice.

About you 

We're looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA ,CIPFA or similar) with at least five years' post-qualification experience and a proven track record in senior finance or audit roles. You'll be confident leading finance operations, managing staff, and turning complex financial information into clear, actionable insights.

You'll bring experience of charity finance, including grant management, restricted and unrestricted funds, and Charity SORP, alongside strong skills in Xero and Excel. Experience with Fathom and Raiser's Edge (or similar CRM/database systems) would be an advantage.

Just as importantly, you'll be passionate about making a difference for people affected by ataxia. You'll understand the barriers faced by disabled people, approach our members with empathy and respect, and share our commitment to equality, inclusion and ethical medical research.

This is an opportunity for a skilled finance professional to use their expertise to help drive our mission and make a meaningful impact.

Benefits of working for us. 

• 25 days annual leave pro rata (rising to 30 with a length of service)
• Extra holiday day for your birthday
• Access to a free Health Plan, Employee Assistance Programme & Employee Hotline
• Flexible hybrid working
• Pension scheme
• Enhanced maternity and co-parental leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Training and development opportunities
• Accredited Living Wage Employer

Please see full Job Description for further details including Person Specifications. Your covering letter will be used to assess you against the person specification for this role.

*First round interviews will take place online. Second round interviews will take place in person at our office in Highgate.*

Amnesty International UK (AIUK) has a simple aim: an end to human rights abuses. Independent, international and influential, we campaign for justice, fairness, freedom and truth wherever they are denied. If you want to use your financial reporting, systems and analytical skills to help fight for human rights, you could be our new Reporting and Systems Accountant.

About the role

With an income of almost £35 million, our Finance Team plays a vital role in supporting the organisation and ensuring funds are used effectively.

Reporting to the Financial Planning and Analysis Lead, you'll prepare management accounts and reporting packs, support budgeting and forecasting, maintain reporting systems, and provide financial insights to support decision-making.

Working closely with colleagues across the organisation, you'll help improve reporting processes and the quality of financial information. This is an excellent opportunity to develop your reporting, systems, and analytical skills within a collaborative and supportive team.

More details can be found by downloading the job description from our career's portal.

The role may be for you if:

• You're skilled in producing financial and management reports for a range of stakeholders.
• You have a recognised accounting qualification (or substantial equivalent experience) and a good understanding of financial reporting and accounting principles.
• You can support budget and forecasting processes and work accurately with complex financial information.
• You're comfortable working with financial systems, reporting tools and large datasets, and have strong Excel skills.
• You collaborate effectively and positively contribute to an inclusive culture.

Our Commitment to you

Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Anti-Racism (IDEA) are at the core of our values. We want to be an organisation that tackles structural inequality and prejudice as well as be an actively anti-racist organisation. This means taking a meaningful and equitable approach to supporting and developing you and others during your time with us.

New colleagues receive 27 days leave annually (29 after five years), as well as bank holidays (pro-rated for part time) and 3 wellbeing days. 2-5% employee pension contributions are matched at 6-9% and we offer 6 months full pay for family leave. We offer flexible working such as compressed work patterns and job shares.

Apply for this role

This vacancy advert may be taken down from job boards earlier than the stated deadline if a high standard of applications is received (if you have started an application in our portal, you will still have opportunity to complete it by the original deadline).

We welcome applications from everyone and particularly encourage applications from people from an ethnic minority background, and people with a disability to help us achieve a balanced representation in our workforce, especially at senior grades.

To reduce bias in our shortlisting process, AIUK operates an anonymised application process. If for any reason you prefer to apply in a different format, or require adjustments in the process, please get in touch. To support all candidates to perform their best at interview, we send questions 24 hours in advance. We are a disability confident organisation.

Visit amnesty.org.uk/jobs for application guidance and information on benefits, recruitment inclusion and hybrid working.

Senior Systems Accountant

(SEO)

£42,450 to £46,636 (National)

plus an Accountancy Allowance of £5,000 pa (Fully Qualified) or £2,500 (Part Qualified)

The Government Property Agency is the largest property holder in government, with more than £2.1 billion in property assets and over 50% of the government’s office estate. We are transforming the way the Civil Service works by creating great places to work, leading the largest commercial office programme in the UK, working towards halving carbon emissions from government offices, and achieving greater value for taxpayers.  We are looking for innovative, solutions-focused people to join our team.

Representing the best covenant in the UK – His Majesty’s Government – we are leading ground-breaking programmes such as the Government Hubs Programme, Whitehall Campus Programme and Net Zero Programme, as well as delivering modern and cost-effective real estate service solutions. 

Innovation and progress are at the heart of our behaviours.  We foster a culture of lifelong learning, where curiosity and self-improvement are encouraged, and we’re dedicated to becoming a leading, inclusive employer both in the external market and throughout the Civil Service.  Our strong emphasis on Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) is not just about driving inclusion across our organisation, it is also about ensuring our services meet the needs of government departments and the civil servants who use our spaces. 

Join our dynamic and diverse team that leads with purpose, improving sustainability, nurturing social value, driving inclusivity and flexibility, and kickstarting economic growth.  We are driven by purpose, and you can be part of it too: where you make a meaningful impact; where you influence; where your voice really matters; where you help to shape our future direction.

The responsibilities of the Senior Systems Accountant will include:

• Systems administration and maintenance for Microsoft Business Central, Proactis, Horizon and Power BI.
• Act as a finance system expert to manage and resolve day to day queries and issues occurring on the finance systems, and communicating with users.
• Provide technical guidance and day-to-day task direction to junior team members.
• Quality assure finance system inputs and output, monitor system integrations, and lead on resolving any problems that occur.
• Build, test and maintain finance system reports.
• Lead specific finance system improvements, systemising currently manual processes, and assist with finance system testing.
• Lead specific finance systems and process training to colleagues across the GPA.
• The post holder may be required to undertake additional responsibilities as expected in relation to the role and grade.

Key Skills & Experience:

• Ideally, AAT Qualified, or working towards CCAB qualification.

• Experience of using financial systems in an admin capacity, ideally Business Central, Proactis or Horizon, and have a working knowledge of finance integrations.
• Highly IT literate and experienced at using multiple software tools, including Power BI, Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets.
• A good understanding of financial processes and terminology, preferably in a public sector environment
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills to meet deadlines in a fast paced environment

Behaviours Assessed:

• Working together.
• Managing a quality service.
• Changing and improving.
• Delivering at pace.

For more information contact Emma Fuller at our retained search agent, Robertson Bell at . To apply, please send your CV to .

The GPA is committed to representing the communities we serve by making Diversity, Equality and Inclusion part of everything we do. To ensure that we are always recruiting and retaining a diverse mix of talent, we are particularly inviting applications from candidates who are disabled, ethnically or gender diverse, and people who identify as being part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

International Financial Controller - Forum for the Future

About Forum for the Future

Forum for the Future is a leading international sustainability charity working with business, government and civil society to accelerate the transition to a just and regenerative future.

Operating across the UK, US, India and Singapore, Forum for the Future focuses on transforming food systems, accelerating a clean energy transition, and redefining the role of business in delivering long-term value.

The Opportunity

Ivy Rock Partners is supporting Forum for the Future in the search for a International Financial Controller to lead financial control, statutory reporting and audit across a complex international group.

This is a hands-on, technically focused role overseeing financial reporting across four legal entities (UK, US, India and Singapore), ensuring strong controls, accurate consolidation and high-quality statutory reporting.

A key feature of the role is managing audit cycles across different jurisdictions. The role suits a qualified accountant with a strong audit or practice background who enjoys working in complex, multi-entity environments and bringing structure and discipline to financial operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead financial control and statutory reporting across UK, US, India and Singapore entities
• Manage month-end, year-end close and group consolidation processes
• Oversee intercompany accounting, FX and cash management
• Lead multiple annual audits, coordinating timelines across jurisdictions
• Ensure compliance with local tax, statutory and regulatory requirements
• Maintain and strengthen financial controls and governance frameworks
• Manage a team of two finance professionals
• Act as a key point of contact for auditors and senior stakeholders
• Drive continuous improvements in systems, processes, and reporting to enhance efficiency and minimise risk.

About You

• ACA / ACCA / CA qualified, ideally trained in audit or practice
• Strong technical accounting and statutory reporting experience
• Confident managing audits and external stakeholders

Desirable

• Charity / not-for-profit or international development experience
• Knowledge of SORP
• Group consolidation and FX exposure
• Line management experience

Working Arrangements

• Salary: £56,500–£60,000
• Hybrid working (1-2 days per week in London office)
• This role can be recruited on a full time, 0.8 or 0.9 FTE basis. For further information, please contact Ivy Rock Partners. Permanent role (candidates interested in the position on a fixed-term contract basis are also invited to apply).

Awel Aman Tawe is a pioneering community energy charity working to tackle the climate emergency while strengthening community resilience. Founded in 1998, we have developed two of the largest renewable energy co-operatives in Wales – Awel Co-op (wind) and Egni Co-op (solar and smart local energy systems).

We are entering an exciting and pivotal phase. Alongside our established renewable energy assets, we are developing new infrastructure, including a solar farm and battery storage project (one of the UK’s first “tribrid” systems). We are also advancing shared ownership wind and solar projects with commercial developers – these are multi-million pound projects and will be getting built over the next 2-10 years. We are also expanding our portfolio of community, education and enterprise activities. As of end 2025, AAT and group companies have a combined balance sheet of more than £19m and turnover of £4m

Our work spans multiple legal and operational structures, including a charity, community benefit societies (co-ops), trading activity and joint ventures. Hwb y Gors, our low-carbon arts and enterprise centre, is a key part of our growing earned income and community development.

We are a dynamic, values-driven organisation with a strong track record and ambitious plans for the future.

Why this role matters

With increasing scale, complexity and ambition, we need a Finance Director who can ensure our financial systems, planning, and governance remain robust, agile and aligned with our mission. This role offers a rare opportunity to work across a diverse and evolving financial landscape — combining charitable funding, co-operative structures, commercial income and major capital energy projects.

The Role

We are seeking an experienced, inquisitive and proactive Finance Director to provide strategic financial leadership across the organisation. As a key member of the senior leadership team, you will work closely with the CEO, Creative Director, Trustees and senior colleagues to shape organisational strategy, support decision-making and ensure financial sustainability. You will bring clarity and insight across multiple entities and income streams, and play a central role in navigating complexity, including financial planning for large-scale infrastructure and operating in a sector influenced by fluctuating energy markets. AAT is looking for someone who is committed and enthused to accelerate Wales towards net zero carbon and helping the community energy sector’s vital role in achieving this.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic leadership

• Provide strategic financial leadership as part of the senior management team
• Contribute to organisational strategy and provide constructive challenge and insight
• Lead the development of long-term financial plans and sustainable business models
• Develop financial modelling and scenario planning, including for major capital projects
• Support funding strategies (including liaison with banks), business cases and income diversification

Financial Planning and Reporting

• Lead the development of robust budgets, forecasts and financial models
• Provide clear, insightful management accounts and financial reporting to SMT and Board
• Ensure reporting supports effective decision-making across the organisation
• Oversee financial reporting to funders, lenders and stakeholders

Operational finance and governance

• Oversee day-to-day financial management and cash flow
• Ensure strong financial controls, systems and processes are in place and continuously improved
• Maintain and develop accounting systems (Xero) and reporting processes
• Ensure compliance with all regulatory, legal and audit requirements
• Lead the preparation of statutory accounts across multiple entities (including charity SORP and FCA requirements)
• Manage relationships with auditors, banks, HMRC and funders

Complexity and risk management

• Consolidate and oversee finances across multiple entities and funding streams
• Provide financial oversight of joint ventures and commercial activity
• Undertake financial risk analysis, including for major capital and infrastructure projects
• Provide scenario planning in relation to energy price volatility and income variability

Income generation and projects

• Support funding applications, grant claims and contract reporting
• Contribute to development of earned income activities
• Provide financial input into new projects, partnerships and investments

Leadership and team development

• Lead and support a small finance and administration team
• Ensure appropriate financial controls and segregation of duties
• Build financial understanding and confidence across the wider organisation

Person Specification

Essential experience

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPFA or equivalent)
• Significant senior finance leadership experience in a complex organisation
• Strong experience of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and modelling
• Experience of producing statutory and management accounts
• Experience of multi-entity structures and financial consolidation
• Experience of charity finance, including SORP and restricted/unrestricted funds
• Track record of supporting strategic decision-making through financial insight
• Experience working with multiple income streams (e.g. grants, trading, contracts)

Desirable Experience

• Experience of community energy, infrastructure or similar sectors
• Understanding of community benefit societies or co-operative models
• Experience of working with joint ventures or shared ownership structures
• Experience of sectors with market-driven or variable income (e.g. energy)
• Welsh language

Skills and abilities

• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues
• Strong commercial awareness and sound judgement
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling capability
• Ability to work independently and proactively
• Strong relationship-building skills across diverse stakeholders

Personal qualities

We are particularly looking for someone who is:

• Inquisitive and curious – someone who actively interrogates and understands the numbers
• Proactive and solutions-focused – comfortable taking initiative in a dynamic environment
• Strategically minded – able to connect financial insight with organisational goals
• Comfortable with complexity and ambiguity
• Collaborative and values-led
• Committed to environmental sustainability and community wellbeing

Why join Awel Aman Tawe?

• Be part of one of the UK’s leading community energy organisations
• Work at the forefront of innovative renewable energy and social enterprise models
• Play a key role in tackling the climate crisis and supporting communities
• Help shape a financially resilient and ambitious organisation at a pivotal moment

Application process

Please submit a CV and covering letter outlining:

• Your suitability for the role
• Your experience in relation to the person specification
• Why you are interested in working with Awel Aman Tawe

Subject line: Finance Director

Deadline for Applications: 3rd August 2026

Interviews:10th August 2026

If you would like to discuss this job opportunity, please contact Dan McCallum at Awel Aman Tawe, CEO/Prif Swyddog

Equal opportunities

Positions are open to all suitably qualified candidates regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy/maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation.

This post is funded by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation

The Society of Authors (SoA) is the UK's largest trade union for all types of writers, illustrators and literary translators. We’ve been advising authors and speaking out for the profession since 1884. 

We’re currently looking to welcome a Finance Manager to our team.

The role

The Finance Manager leads on the operational management of the finance function to ensure there are robust financial controls, effective reporting and efficient day-to-day financial operations across the organisation, including our ancillary charities and literary estates. The postholder is expected to foster excellent working relationships across the organisation with all staff, member volunteers, senior colleagues, board members and charity trustees.

Reporting directly to the Chief Operations Officer, the Finance Manager has significant responsibility for:

· Management accounts and reporting

· Budgeting and forecasting

· Cashflow oversight

· Audit and compliance

· Financial controls and process improvement

· Operational financial analysis

Responsibilities

Day-to-day financial management 

• Manage the day-to-day finances for the organisation. Ensuring all aspects of the financial systems are accurate and kept updated including banking and sales and purchase ledgers.
• Manage the finances for our 14 charities. Ensure all aspects of the financial systems are kept updated.
• Undertake monthly reconciliations ensuring all transactions are properly and efficiently recorded.
• Prepare quarterly VAT returns for the organisation including the partial VAT exemption calculation.
• Oversee the management and appropriate allocation of any restricted funds for the charities ensuring that monies are allocated as per donor wishes or grant specifications.
• Prepare any ad hoc budget request and figures for other departments or the management.
• Regularly review and maintain financial policies and procedures.
• Support with funding bids and reports for donors and grant-making bodies.

Budget process management

• Work closely with the Chief Operating Officer on preparing the annual budgets for the organisation and our ancillary charities.
• Prepare quarterly figures for review, explaining any variation from budgeted figures.
• Monitor the actual spend against budgets for all the charities.

· Ensure adequate cash flow to meet the needs of the organisation and our charities in consultation with the Chief Operating Officer and Head of Charities.

• Work closely with all Departmental Heads to ensure they fully understand their budgets and ongoing organisational performance against budget. 

Statutory reporting

• Assist the Chief Operating Officer with the preparation of the organisation’s accounts.
• One of the main points of liaison with the external auditors, ensuring all supporting papers are collated for an efficient and effective annual audit to take place.
• Maintain fixed asset register and inventory of all equipment contracts and agreements.
• Ensure adequate controls are in place to safeguard the financial assets of the organisation.
• Lead on preparing all our charity accounts.
• Assist the COO to ensure the organisation and its ancillary charities are compliant with statutory bodies and external institutions including:

o Companies House

o Certification office

o Charity Commission

o HMRC

o  All banks and payment processors

Financial risk management

• Work with the Chief Operating Officer to ensure that the appropriate processes are in place for the long-term financial viability of the organisation.
• Develop, update and produce long-term cashflow forecasts for both the organisation and our ancillary charities.

· Ensure appropriate financial risk management techniques and controls are in place at strategic and operational levels. 

Governance support to the Finance Sub-Committee and Charity Trustees

• Assist in the preparation of all associated papers and minutes for the Finance Sub- Committee.
• Assist the Chief Operating Officer in preparing papers for Board and Charity Trustees.

 The duties above outline the broad areas of responsibility. The SoA reserves the right to vary these duties to suit the requirements of the business.

 Person specification

Essential

• Minimum part-qualified accountant or qualified by experience with strong financial management experience, with an ability to understand the practical impact of finance decisions and processes across the organisation.

· Strong IT skills including the Microsoft Office suite, in particular Excel, and experience of using databases. 

• Experience of using Sage 50 Cloud Accounts.
• Significant experience and confidence in managing a full range of finance operations in a small or medium sized organisation in the not-for-profit sector.
• Confident presenting financial information to non-financial audiences.
• Demonstrates excellent attention to detail, organisation and communication skills.

· Resilience in working under pressure, ability, and willingness to both give and take constructive feedback. 

· Bring ideas for improvements and is open and honest in all communications where relevant and appropriate. 

• Ability to work with the Chief Operating Officer to develop the formulation of long-term financial plans and strategies for the society and its ancillary charities.

Desirable Skills

· Specialist knowledge of Charities, including Charity SORP guidance and procedures, underpinned by strong theoretical knowledge and practical experience. 

· Experience of working for a trade onion or a membership organisation.

· Tax and charities law, including a good understanding of partially exempt VAT status.

 What we offer

As a progressive and ethical not-for-profit organisation, we offer a range of benefits to support your physical, mental, and financial wellbeing. We are a London Living Wage and a Disability Confident – Committed employer.

Benefits include:

• Competitive salary
• Cycle-to-work scheme.
• Death-in-service benefit (8 x salary)
• Employee assistance programme
• Flexible, hybrid working practices.
• Family-friendly, disability-confident inclusive culture
• Generous annual leave, including all bank holidays.
• Salary exchange pension scheme
• Interest-free annual travel card loan
• *Office closure over Christmas
• Private healthcare

*Colleagues can work over the Christmas period, although the building is closed. For those who wish to take additional time off, colleagues take these days from their annual leave allowance.

As an employer, we nurture a working environment in which staff can grow and develop. We recognise the value of flexibility in the way we work with a positive culture of hybrid working practices.

Inclusion, diversity, and representation are at the core of our values, and we work to tackle structural discrimination and prejudice. Part of this commitment means that we are looking to increase diversity in our organisation at all levels. We strongly encourage applications from a broad range of social, cultural, educational, and underrepresented backgrounds

Location: Central London, hybrid (2 days per week in office)
Contract: Temporary, initial 3‑month contract
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £43.63 per hour plus holiday (FTE £79,617 per year)
Start Date: ASAP

We are supporting a values-led organisation with the appointment of a Financial Controller to play a key role within a complex and impactful finance function. This position sits at the heart of financial reporting and oversight, with a strong focus on consolidated reporting within a charity environment.

This is a senior role responsible for ensuring robust financial control, high-quality statutory reporting, and effective management of multi-entity and multi-currency accounts.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of consolidated group accounts across multiple entities
• Oversee multi-currency accounting and ensure accuracy across international operations
• Prepare year-end statutory accounts in line with Charity SORP (FRS 102)
• Act as a key contact for the audit process, including responding to audit queries
• Maintain strong financial controls and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards
• Provide clear and accurate financial reporting to senior stakeholders
• Support the wider finance function with technical expertise and oversight

Skills and Experience Required

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong experience preparing consolidated accounts, as well as preparing year-end accounts and managing audit processes
• Proven experience working with multi-currency accounting
• In-depth knowledge of Charity SORP (FRS 102)
• Confident self-starter, able to work independently and take ownership
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present financial information clearly
• Highly organised, with excellent attention to detail

Desirable Experience

• Experience using IRIS accounting software
• Experience with Power BI or similar reporting tools

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis so if this role interests you, please apply ASAP by submitting your CV in Word format. 

At Prospectus, we invest in your journey as a candidate and are committed to supporting you with your application. We welcome all candidates to apply, regardless of age, sex/gender, disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, marital status, or pregnancy/maternity. If you have a disability and require reasonable adjustments to any part of the process, please reach out to us.

Cerebra is the national charity dedicated to improving the lives of children with neurological conditions and their families. We provide vital research, support, and practical solutions that empower families facing complex challenges.

With an annual income of £3 million and a headcount of 68 employees, we have ambitious plans to double our income between 2025 and 2027, ensuring we can extend our impact, reach more families, and drive real change. To achieve this, we are investing in fundraising innovation, income generating ventures, and strategic partnerships, alongside enhancing our brand to increase our national recognition.

Our work is underpinned by our values ensuring that everything we do aligns with our mission to create a better world for children with neurological conditions.

This is an incredibly exciting time to join Cerebra, as we are preparing to launch our new strategy and brand. The COO is a vital leadership role that will support the drive towards even greater impact for children and families across the UK.

Our Services

Sleep Advice Service

Cerebra understands that if you have a child that doesn’t sleep, the whole family suffers. Many children with neurological conditions suffer from disrupted sleep. Our sleep advice service provides bespoke advice and support so that everyone can get a good night’s sleep.

Legal Rights Service

Our Legal Rights Service provides help and support to families of children with neurological conditions when they are faced with barriers and difficulties in accessing statutory support services they are entitled to. The service provides information on their legal entitlements.

Book and Toy Library Service

Our specialist postal lending library contains a wide range of books for both adults and children, plus a selection of sensory toys specifically chosen for children with a neurological condition.

Innovation and Product Design Service

Our Innovation Service designs and builds bespoke products that cater to the specific needs of children with neurological conditions. The aim of the service is to make products that are desirable and exciting, therefore promoting social inclusion, peer acceptance and enabling children to participate in everyday activities that are so often close to them.

Information Products

Cerebra publishes different information products to help families with a child with a neurological condition. Our information products offer comprehensive, up-to-date support and research-driven strategies to assist families with a wide range of issues.

Buzgi and Toy Adaptation Service

Cerebra designs and builds bespoke assistive equipment for disabled children, this includes creating custom mobility aids, switch‑adapted toys, and other innovative solutions to help children access play, learning, and independence.

The Bugzi - a mini powered wheelchair for children offers many children their first experience of independent mobility. It uses either a joystick or switches and adaptable seating for complex needs, and helps develop spatial awareness, confidence, and early mobility skills. The Bugzi is available through a national loan scheme.

Additionally, we operate commercial services (including a web shop) to supplement our income to support children and their families.

Our services are provided to families free of charge.

Job Title:

Chief Operating Officer

Reports To:

Chief Executive Officer

Direct reports:

3 senior managers (Finance (headcount of 3), HR (headcount of 1), IT (headcount of 5))

Purpose of the Role:

The Chief Operating Officer will play a vital role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer, Board and Leadership Team to deliver Cerebra’s vision and ambitious strategic aims. The Chief Operating Officer will provide strategic leadership and operational management across key areas within Cerebra including:

• Operational Systems
• Governance
• Compliance
• Finance and Growth

This is a pivotal executive leadership role, responsible for driving organisational performance, sustainability and growth. The COO will translate Cerebra’s strategic ambitions into effective operational delivery, ensuring robust governance, financial stewardship and a high-performing, values-led culture.

As a trusted advisor to the CEO and Board, the COO will lead core operational services and commercial activity, enabling the charity to maximise impact and generate sustainable income in support of its charitable objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Executive Leadership

• Partner with the CEO and Board to deliver strategic priorities, growth and long-term sustainability
• Collaboration with the Director’s Group to ensure strategic alignment across the charity. The Director’s Group consists of:

            Chief Executive Officer

            Chief Operating Officer

            Director of Fundraising, Marketing and Communications

            Director of Research and Support Services

• Provide expert advice on finance, operations, commercial performance and organisational risk
• Lead organisational planning, business continuity, and operational resilience
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability and inclusion

Finance, Commercial & Sustainability

• Lead financial strategy, planning and performance, ensuring long-term sustainability
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and financial controls
• Lead and develop Cerebra’s strategy for commercial income , ensuring alignment with charitable objectives
• Support funding growth through strong financial insight and business case development
• Ensure robust financial governance, audit and compliance

Operations & Infrastructure

• Lead and strengthen operational functions including HR, IT, governance and administration
• Ensure effective systems, processes and infrastructure that enable growth, efficiency and impact
• Oversee procurement, contracts, facilities, and organisational compliance
• Drive innovation and value for money across operations

People & Culture

• Champion a positive, inclusive and high-performing organisational culture
• Oversee HR strategy, workforce planning and leadership development
• Ensure compliance with employment law and best practice
• Promote wellbeing, engagement and organisational effectiveness

Digital & Technology

• Provide strategic oversight of IT, data and digital development
• Ensure systems are secure, resilient and aligned to organisational needs
• Leverage data and technology to improve insight, decision-making and organisational impact

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Ensure effective governance frameworks, risk management and regulatory compliance
• Support the CEO and Board with high-quality reporting and strategic insight
• Lead safeguarding, data protection and organisational risk strategy
• Drive a strong culture of accountability and ethical practice

Leadership & Management

• Lead and develop a small senior team across finance, HR and IT
• Build capability, strengthen performance, and embed a collaborative culture
• Model Cerebra’s values and leadership behaviours

Key Attributes

• Strategic and commercially minded leader with strong operational delivery experience
• Strong financial leadership and business acumen
• Proven track record of driving income growth, sustainability and organisational performance
• Skilled in governance, risk and stakeholder engagement

Please see attached job description for the Person Specification.

Contract: Full-time, permanent
Hours: Full-time
Reports to: Chair; Board of Directors 
Location: Hackney
Salary: £50,000-60,000 depending on experience.
Pension: HSoF participates in the National Employment Savings Trust (NEST) pension scheme and contributes 3%.
Benefits: 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays, free onsite lunches .
Probation period: Six months.

About Hackney School of Food

Hackney School of Food is an award-winning food education hub based in the grounds of Mandeville Primary School in Clapton, East London. Through our teaching kitchen and educational garden, we help children, families and communities build the skills, confidence and knowledge to grow, cook and eat good food.

Each year, we welcome more than 10,000 visits to our kitchen and garden, delivering curriculum programmes for schools alongside community cooking courses, gardening projects, holiday clubs, corporate volunteering and public events. Since becoming a Community Interest Company (CIC) in 2023, we have expanded our facilities, strengthened our governance and built a strong reputation as a leader in food education.

We're now looking for an exceptional Managing Director to build on these strong foundations and lead Hackney School of Food through its next phase of growth and impact.

About the role

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Managing Director (MD) will provide both strategic and operational leadership, ensuring the organisation delivers its mission while remaining financially resilient, well-governed and responsive to the needs of the communities it serves.

The Managing Director is responsible for all aspects of the organisation, including strategy, income generation, finance, governance, partnerships, programme delivery and people leadership. Working closely with a small, committed team and an engaged Board, they will build on strong foundations to grow Hackney School of Food's impact, reach and long-term sustainability.

This is a varied, hands-on leadership role for someone who enjoys balancing big-picture thinking with practical delivery. One day you may be developing a new partnership, meeting a prospective funder or working with the Board on future strategy; the next you could be supporting the team, welcoming visitors to the garden or solving day-to-day operational challenges.

Key priorities

In your first 12 months you will:

• Build on Hackney School of Food's strong foundations to deliver the next phase of our strategy and growth.

• Increase and diversify income through fundraising, partnerships and commercial opportunities to strengthen long-term sustainability.

• Lead, support and develop a small, ambitious team, fostering a positive and inclusive culture where people can thrive.

• Strengthen relationships with funders, partners and local businesses, helping Hackney School of Food deepen its impact.

• Work closely with the Board to embed strong governance, organisational systems and long-term planning for the future.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership 

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for Hackney School of Food, ensuring delivery of its mission, vision and long-term objectives. 

• Lead the development and implementation of Hackney School of Food's annual business plan and organisational priorities.

• Work with the Board to evolve organisational strategy, identify opportunities, manage risks and support sustainable growth.

• Monitor, report on and respond to organisational performance against agreed objectives and impact measures. 

• Champion Hackney School of Food externally, strengthening its profile and influence.
   

Financial sustainability and income generation 

• Oversee organisational budgeting, financial planning, forecasting and cashflow management, working closely with the Treasurer and accountant.

• Lead income generation across the organisation, including trusts and foundations, corporate partnerships, sponsorship and earned income.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with funders, sponsors and strategic partners.

• Ensure all funding commitments are met, including grant reporting, monitoring and evaluation requirements.

• Identify new opportunities to diversify income and strengthen long-term financial sustainability.

Partnerships & External Relations

• Act as the main point of contact for HSoF’s key partners, LEAP Federation and Chefs in Schools to ensure the partnerships are effective and positive.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with other key stakeholders, including local authorities, funders and sponsors.

• Represent Hackney School of Food at meetings, events, and public forums.

• Champion the value of food education and contribute to wider local and national conversations. 

• Ensure programmes remain responsive to community needs through ongoing engagement and consultation. 

Governance and public benefit 

• Ensure the organisation operates in line with its CIC objectives and delivers clear public benefit. 

• Support the Board of Directors to fulfil its governance responsibilities through high-quality reporting, planning and decision-making.

• Prepare Board papers, reports and agendas, ensuring timely and accurate information is available to support effective governance.

• Oversee and report on organisational performance to the Board of Directors quarterly.

• Act as the primary link between the Board and the operational team.

• Maintain effective governance, delegated authority and accountability frameworks. 

• Support the Board in meeting all statutory and regulatory obligations relating to the CIC.

People, Culture and safeguarding

• Provide leadership to a small core team (currently c.4 employees), directly managing staff and fostering a positive, inclusive culture. 

• Provide oversight and support for a wider network of approx. 15 freelance contractors to ensure consistently high-quality delivery.

• Lead recruitment, induction, performance management and professional development in line with safer recruitment and equality principles. 

• Ensure effective organisational structures, clear roles, and performance accountability.

• Oversee HR processes including appraisals, performance management, and professional development.

• Act as Designated Safeguarding Lead, embedding safeguarding throughout the organisation maintaining compliance with all relevant requirements. 

• Develop organisational systems, policies and practices that support an inclusive, high-performing workplace.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Maintain and regularly review the organisational Risk Register and report key risks and mitigations to the Board.

• Oversee organisational policies, procedures and continuous improvement, ensuring policies and legal requirements are up to date, clearly communicated and embedded across the organisation. 

• Ensure compliance with employment law, health and safety, safeguarding, GDPR and other relevant legislation. 

Personal specification

Essential experience 

• Senior leadership experience with responsibility for organisational performance and accountability. 

• Experience securing income through fundraising, partnerships and/or commercial activity.

• Experience of financial leadership, including budget setting, forecasting and cashflow oversight.

• Experience working closely with a Board, Trustees or governing body to translate strategic vision into operational delivery. 

• Experience building and managing successful partnerships with funders, businesses and community stakeholders. 

• Experience in managing and motivating a team, creating a positive and inclusive workplace culture. 

• Experience of governance, compliance and organisational risk management.

• Experience of safeguarding within an education, youth or community context.

• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise competing demands, make sound decisions and remain resilient in a resource-constrained environment.

Essential skills and attributes

• Passion for Hackney School of Food's mission and the role of food education in improving health, wellbeing and community connection. 

• Strategic thinker who is equally comfortable with hands-on operational leadership. 

• Entrepreneurial, resourceful and committed to building long-term financial sustainability and identifying growth opportunities.

• Ability to lead a team through change with sensitivity, clarity and kindness.

• Strong communicator with excellent relationship-building skills. 

• Confident decision-maker with a high level of personal accountability. 

• Committed to equity, inclusion and community-led practice.

Desirable 

• Experience working within a Community Interest Company (CIC), social enterprise or charity.

• Knowledge of Hackney, its communities and local stakeholder landscape.

• Experience of working in food education, community food, gardening, environmental education or a related field.

• Experience reviewing and managing contracts, service agreements or other legal documentation.

An inclusive workplace

We know that diverse teams make stronger organisations and are committed to building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We are committed to fair and inclusive recruitment and will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

We particularly encourage applications from people who are under-represented in our sector and in leadership roles, including people from the global majority and those whose lived experience brings valuable perspectives from the communities we serve. We also welcome applications from people who live in Hackney or East London.

How to apply

The deadline to apply is Monday 20 July at 9am. Please apply by filling out this application form.

You'll find the link to the application form on our Recruitment Pack which provides more information. 

Stage 1: A one-hour online interview with the Senior Team and Board (24 July) 

Stage 2: On-site interview at Hackney School of Food (30 July), including a short presentation. 

We may also invite the preferred candidate to an informal meeting with the wider team and Board before making a final appointment. 

The successful applicant will need to pass an enhanced DBS check and provide two suitable references. 

We may close the application window earlier if we are inundated with applications, so please don't wait to apply.

If you have any questions about the role or your suitability, please feel free to get in touch with us. You will find a Recruitment pack and email address to contact via our website.