Senior financial accountant jobs

Thank you for your interest in the role of Management Accountant at the Fair Education Alliance. 

The Fair Education Alliance (FEA) is a cross-sector coalition of 300 member organisations tackling educational inequity. We unite behind a shared vision: no child’s success is limited by their socioeconomic background. 

In September 2025 we launched an ambitious five-year strategy ‘From Neighborhood to National’ to confront the deep-rooted inequities facing children and young people. This is an exciting moment of organisational growth at The Fair Education Alliance. As we scale our work and our team, we are investing in our operational foundations to ensure we remain well-governed, financially resilient and able to deliver our strategy with confidence. 

This role represents a significant investment in that infrastructure. You will be joining a small but highly capable operations team and playing a central role in how FEA manages and understands its finances as it grows. You will work closely with relevant members of the senior leadership team and colleagues across the organisation. 

The Management Accountant plays a central role in ensuring that the Fair Education Alliance’s finances are accurate, well managed and clearly understood across the organisation. Working as part of the operations team, the postholder maintains the financial systems and processes that underpin FEA’s work. This includes overseeing day-to-day finance operations, producing reliable management accounts, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and ensuring that financial records meet charity accounting and regulatory requirements.

The Management Accountant also acts as a trusted financial partner to colleagues across the organisation. By providing clear, accessible financial information and helping budget holders understand their resources, the role enables confident decision-making by the senior leadership team and trustees. Through careful financial stewardship, strong attention to detail and a commitment to continuous improvement, the Management Accountant helps ensure that FEA remains financially resilient and able to deliver its mission to create a fairer education system. 

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis from Tuesday 10 March

• Applications close: 30 March (9am)

• First round interviews: Rolling during application window 

• Second round interviews: Rolling during application window 

• Start date: As soon as possible (to be agreed with the successful candidate) 

Lead Financial Strategy. Enable Extraordinary Care.

At Alexander Devine Children’s Hospice Service, we provide specialist care and vital support to children and young people with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and surrounding counties.

It costs £3.4 million each year to maintain our current level of care, with minimal government funding. Every decision we make must balance compassion with sustainability. We are now seeking an exceptional Director of Finance to help secure our long-term future and develop services in line with demand.

This is more than a finance role. It is an opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a much-loved local charity and ensure we continue reaching every child and family who needs us.

The Role

As Director of Finance, you will:

• Provide strategic financial leadership and be a key member of the Senior Management Team
• Lead long-term financial planning to ensure sustainability and resilience
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, cashflow and reserves management
• Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards and statutory requirements
• Present clear, insightful financial reports to the Board of Trustees
• Be responsible for financial controls, systems and governance

You will work closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team, helping to shape the future direction of the organisation.

About You

We are looking for a strategic and values-driven finance leader who brings:

• A recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant senior financial leadership experience
• Strong experience in strategic planning, budgeting and financial governance
• The ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial audiences
• High levels of integrity, judgement and emotional intelligence

Charity or healthcare experience is welcome but not essential. We are equally interested in candidates from commercial or public sector backgrounds who are motivated to apply their expertise in a purpose-driven environment.

Why Join Us?

• Work in a beautiful, purpose-built hospice in Maidenhead
• Generous annual leave, including your birthday off and additional “Alexander Days”
• Pension and Death in Service cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Free on-site parking
• A genuinely supportive, values-led culture
• Staff discounts

Finance Manager (Part-Time)

Hours: 16 hours per week (hybrid working, with at least 50% of time in the Guildford office)
Salary: £43,000–£45,000 FTE (depending on experience)
Reports to: Chief Executive
Direct reports: Finance Administrator

Oakleaf Enterprise is looking for an experienced Finance Manager to join our team. This is a key role within the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive, Trustees and wider Senior Management Team. You’ll oversee all financial activity, ensure compliance with Charity SORP and relevant regulations, and support the organisation to operate efficiently and responsibly.

About the role

You will lead on all financial reporting, planning and compliance, and ensure financial information is accurate, timely and useful for decision-making. You will also manage one member of staff (Finance Administrator) and work with colleagues across the organisation to support budgeting, forecasting, project costing and grant applications.

Key responsibilities

Board & Leadership

• Advise the CEO and Board on all financial matters, ensuring all legal and financial requirements are met.
• Attend Board and relevant sub-committee meetings.
• Provide financial input for the Strategic Business Plan and other analysis as required.

Reporting

• Prepare and present monthly management accounts, including variance analysis, restricted/unrestricted funds and balance sheet reporting.
• Lead the year-end process with external accountants, including audit/independent exam planning, reconciliations, site visits and production of Financial Statements.
• Work with the CEO and department leads to prepare the annual budget and provide variance analysis for Board approval.
• Produce a six‑month reforecast.
• Monitor restricted funds and update the Fundraising and Client Services teams.
• Track reserves and ensure adherence to the reserves policy.

Tax

• Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns, ensuring correct application of partial exemption rules.
• Review gift aid and GASDS claims to ensure compliance and maximise income.

Payroll

• Ensure compliance with pensions, NMW and tax regulations.
• Oversee P11Ds and payrolling of benefits (where applicable).
• Support and oversee the Finance Administrator with SAGE payroll and keep up to date with relevant tax/employment law changes.
• Review payroll before submission.

Other responsibilities

• Manage high‑level cashflow and work with the Finance Administrator on daily cash monitoring.
• Line-manage the Finance Administrator.
• Support departments with project budgets, cashflows and grant applications.
• Develop and update financial systems and controls as the organisation evolves.
• Manage supplier relationships to ensure cost‑effective purchasing (including IT, utilities and contracts).
• Contribute to the wider SMT.
• Maintain the chart of accounts in SAGE and ensure monthly reconciliations and journals are completed.
• Keep up with CPD requirements.
• Carry out other duties as required.

Essential criteria

• Experience working in a charity, with strong knowledge of Charity SORP (old and new).
• Experience using SAGE 50.
• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA, CIPFA).

Benefits

• Stakeholder pension with 4% employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme
• 32 days’ holiday including statutory leave, plus your birthday off
• Paid sick leave

Are you an experienced financial professional? Pilgrims' Friend Society is expanding, and we need a Financial Accountant to take charge of legal entities for our Housing Schemes. Reporting to the Financial Controller, the Financial Accountant will be responsible for running and reconciling finance sub-ledgers, ensuring accuracy and compliance.

Our focus is providing a loving and caring environment for our “family members” (our residents) and maintaining the Christian ethos that is important to many of them.

The group operates on 20 sites with over 700 staff and an annual income of c.£20m.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the preparation and processing of journal entries, including accruals, to ensure an efficient and accurate month-end close.
• Oversee the month-end and year-end closing procedures in Sage, proactively identifying and resolving any discrepancies.
• Take ownership of reconciliations for all balance sheet accounts, ensuring transparency and accuracy.
• Collaborate with other charities within the Group to reconcile inter-charity balances and accruals, while constantly looking for ways to streamline the process.
• Provide detailed analysis of the P&L to offer clear insights into monthly financial performance.
• Work closely with the Financial Controller to identify trends, variances, and areas for financial improvement.
• Take initiative in producing monthly financial reports for managers across PFS, ensuring these reports are not only accurate but also actionable.
• Collaborate with the Financial Controller to refine existing reporting and develop new reports that align with the charity’s evolving needs.
• Play an active role in the annual budgeting process, collaborating with the Financial Controller and key stakeholders to align the budget with strategic priorities.
• Prepare and submit ad-hoc reports, including regulatory returns to the ONS, Charity Commission, and other relevant authorities, ensuring they are timely and compliant.
• Support the Financial Controller with a wide range of finance tasks, from monthly close activities to strategic initiatives.
• Identify areas where processes can be improved or automated, driving efficiencies across the finance function.
• Work closely with non-finance managers to support their understanding of financial data and provide insights that help drive decision-making.
• Build strong working relationships across the charity, advocating for the finance department’s role in achieving the charity’s broader goals.
• Take ownership of your own professional growth by seeking out opportunities to expand your knowledge and skills.
• Participate in training and development programs and actively suggest ways to enhance the team’s capabilities.
• Actively engage with the charity’s values, attending the Support Office noon prayers via Teams and embodying the charity’s mission in your day-to-day work.

About you:

• Recently or part qualified ACA, ACCA, CIMA, highly desirable.
• Relevant finance or accounting degree, or equivalent practical experience.
• Proven track record in management accounting, ideally within the charity or non-profit sector.
• Experience with month-end and year-end closing, balance sheet reconciliations, and financial reporting.
• Strong experience in process improvement and a proactive approach to problem-solving.
• Proven experience with Sage 200.
• Forward-thinking mindset with the ability to challenge existing processes and propose innovative solutions.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to translate financial data into meaningful insights for managers and leadership.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with both finance and non-finance teams.
• Proficiency with Sage accounting software (or similar), along with advanced Excel skills.
• Self-motivated, with a strong ability to take ownership of tasks and projects, even in the absence of detailed supervision.
• Strong alignment with the charity's values and a genuine passion for making a difference.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, evolving environment while maintaining attention to detail and accuracy.

*Applicants must be evangelical Christians (This role has an Occupational Requirement to be filled by a Christian under the provisions of the Equality Act (2010).).

Hours:

Full-time contract, working 35 hours a week-Monday to Friday.

Hybrid working- 3 days in the office 2 days at home

Benefits:

• Hybrid working
• Flexible workig hours
• 5 Weeks' paid holiday per year, as well as bank and public holidays
• Life assurance scheme
• Medicash
• Perkbox – including an Employee assistance programme.
• Long-standing service rewards
• Birthday rewards
• Social events
• Pension scheme

- What our staff say about us: …“It is a friendly and welcoming place to work” … -

We are committed to having a diverse senior management team and we encourage applications from disabled and Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic candidates, as these groups are underrepresented on our senior management team at present.

Please note: this vacancy may close sooner if sufficient applications have been received so please apply as soon as possible if interested.

Finance Manager / Financial Accountant (Charity) – GWT
Full-time or Part-time (28 hours)

Join Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) and use your finance skills to support nature’s recovery across Gloucestershire. We’re looking for an experienced Finance Manager / Financial Accountant to lead the day-to-day running of our finance function. This is a hands-on role overseeing transactional finance and payroll, strengthening financial controls, and improving board reporting — with line management responsibility for two Finance Officers.

If you enjoy bringing order, clarity and momentum to finance operations — and want your work to directly support conservation impact — we’d love to hear from you.

What you’ll be doing

• Overseeing day-to-day finance operations (AP/AR, credit control, banking, journals, payment runs, month-end routines)

• Owning and maintaining cashflow forecasts (weekly/monthly), highlighting risks and actions early

• Overseeing payroll end-to-end, including reconciliations, pensions, HMRC compliance and year-end tasks

• Leading monthly close and key balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring an audit-ready trail

• Maintaining and improving board reporting packs with strong version control and reconciliation to source data

• Supporting good restricted/unrestricted fund controls and applying charity finance compliance in routine reporting

• Working confidently with finance systems and improving processes, templates and documentation (including Xledger and Access CRM)

• Line-managing and coaching two Finance Officers, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are consistently met

What we’re looking for

Essential:

• Significant hands-on finance experience with charity experience essential

• Strong experience in cashflow forecasting

• Experience building/improving board reporting packs and senior-level reporting

• Payroll oversight experience (processing, pensions, HMRC, reconciliations)

• Excellent attention to detail, deadline management, and people skills

• Confidence picking up and working with less familiar systems (e.g., Xledger, Access CRM)

• Strong Excel skills

• Qualified-by-experience welcome (degree not required)

Desirable:

• Payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP Foundation/Practitioner or equivalent)

• VAT experience, ideally including Partial Exemption

• Experience in a multi-entity environment (e.g., charity + trading subsidiary)

• AAT/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA part-qualified or qualified

Benefits

• Permanent role

• Full-time or part-time (28 hours) considered

• 25 days annual leave (pro rata for part-time)

• We are closed between Christmas and New Year, giving additional time off during this period

If you’re motivated by strong processes, great teamwork, and purpose-led work, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you a qualified finance professional who enjoys working in partnership with others to turn financial insight into better decisions? Join Shelter as a Senior Finance Business Partner and play a key role in supporting our directorates to plan, prioritise and deliver work that helps end the housing emergency.

About the role

This role will be leading in the financial business partnering needs of our Income Generation directorate. 

Among your responsibilities will be the need to align financial plans to operational and strategic plans and make sure they’re clearly understood by Business Units. Seeing that each Unit is provided with a channel of effective, two-way communication with Finance will be important too. And, when it comes to seeing that they receive regular relevant and useful financial insight and analysis, again, we’ll count on you to deliver. You’ll be working within a great finance department to achieve this, who work as a team of experts to safeguard resources and support decision making across Shelter. We strive to ensure Shelter is financially sustainable in order to achieve our vision of a home for everyone.

Role specifics

We’re looking for a qualified accountant who is confident working with colleagues across an organisation and able to explain financial information clearly to non-finance audiences. You’ll have experience assessing financial risk and producing clear, insightful analysis to support good decision-making. With strong attention to detail, excellent numeracy and solid Excel skills, you’ll be comfortable managing your time, meeting deadlines and reprioritising when needed. Experience of charity finance and working with fundraising teams would be an advantage.

Apply to be part of our team and be the change you want to see in society.

Benefits 

We offer a wide range of benefits, including 30 days of annual leave, enhanced family friendly policies, pension and interest free travel loans. Our employees also have access to a tenancy deposit loan, payroll giving, cycle to work scheme and an employee assistance programme.

We are happy to talk about flexible working, personal growth, and to promote a workplace where you can be yourself and achieve success based only on your merit.

About the team

 Shelter’s Finance Team sits within the Strategy Enablement Directorate, which also includes HR Operations, Technology and Data, and Governance, Planning and Property. The Finance Team consists of 32 people led by the Assistant Director of Finance.

This role sits within the Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) Team. FP&A produces financial reports and analysis, provides expert advice, and enables collaboration to support effective decision making throughout the charity.

How to Apply

Please click ‘Apply for Job’. You are required to submit your work history and a supporting statement. The supporting statement should include your responses to the points in the ‘About You’ section of the job description of no more than 350 words each. 

Please provide specific examples following the STAR format and ensure you demonstrate how you address the behaviours below in your responses:
 

• We prioritise diversity and have an inclusive and open mindset

Any applications submitted without a supporting statement will not be considered.

About Shelter

Home is a human right. It’s our foundation and where we thrive. Yet everyday millions of people are being devastated by the housing emergency.

We exist to defend the right to a safe home. Because home is everything.

We need ambitious, passionate people to join us. This is your chance to play a part in the fundamental change we are striving to achieve.

Our enemy is the social injustice at the core of the escalating housing emergency. To win this fight, we must be representative of the people we are here to help and those who support our movement. In all our people decisions, we take pride in being inclusive, equitable and transparent. We are committed to combating racism both within and outside Shelter. We welcome you on our journey to becoming truly anti-racist.

Safeguarding statement

 Safeguarding is everyone's business. Shelter is committed to protecting the health, wellbeing and human rights of those we support, and enabling them to live free from harm, abuse and neglect. All our staff will be expected to observe professional standards of behaviour and conduct their work in line with our Safeguarding Policies. 

Shelter does not accept unsolicited CVs from external recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.

Reports to: CEO
Location: Leighton Buzzard / Hybrid
Hours: 3–4 days per week (0.6–0.8 FTE)
Salary: £40,000–£50,000 per annum pro rata (depending on experience)
Duration: Permanent

ABOUT THE ORGANISATION

With UK national reach, KidsOut has been supporting children for over 35 years, with a mission to bring moments of joy, fun and hope that aid the healing and recovery of children impacted by domestic abuse. We provide practical support, positive experiences, and opportunities that help children thrive and feel valued, working in partnership with refuges, community organisations, and corporate supporters.

ROLE OVERVIEW AND PURPOSE OF POSITION

The Management Accountant will be responsible for the day-to-day management and oversight of the finances, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting and compliance with statutory requirements. The role will provide the CEO and Trustees with high-quality financial information to inform decision-making, risk management and the Charity's strategic objectives.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP

• Leading financial strategy, planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting
• Overseeing monthly management accounts, statutory reporting and audit processes
• Ensure compliance with UK charity regulators, Companies House (if applicable) and HMRC requirements
• Production of monthly/quarterly management accounts and associated commentary
• Collation of year-end information for the annual accounts and liaising with external auditors
• Drafting going concern assessments and responses to management letters
• Monitoring adherence to the Charity’s reserves policy and use of unrestricted/restricted funding
• Overseeing Gift Aid claims for timely/accurate submissions and efficient processing

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

• Assisting with annual budgets and business planning
• Providing financial oversight of new campaigns and strategic initiatives
• Monitoring/forecasting cash-flow
• Monthly payroll processing
• Overseeing all transactional and bookkeeping aspects
• Managing the financial bookkeeper team
• Liaising with the bank and other external bodies
• Overseeing the production of VAT returns for the trading subsidiary
• Maintaining fundraising and donation records
• Advising trustees and committees with clear financial analysis
• Attending board meetings

SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Qualified (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA) with +5 years of accounting experience at a senior level
• Strong experience in the UK charity sector and knowledge of SORP FRS102
• Strong experience of accounting systems, including Sage 50 Accounts
• Proven ability to produce management accounts and budgets
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues
• Excellent Excel skills
• E-commerce experience, including payment systems
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent organisation and time management
• Team player with a can-do attitude and genuine passion for charitable work

Other Benefits

• Consideration of flexible and hybrid working arrangements
• 25 days annual leave pro rata plus bank holidays
• Pension scheme
• Opportunity to make a meaningful difference to children’s lives across the UK

A fantastic opportunity for a senior finance professional who wants to work in a charity where the employees are as important as delivering the mission. This role might appeal to an established accountant or auditor who would like to learn more about managing operations such as IT, human resources, charity governance and transformation management. There is scope for this role to grow with you over the next few years.

In 2026, we will be introducing a new version of our CRM system and we’d like to migrate from Sage Line 50 to Xero. We’re looking for someone who’s enthusiastic about embracing and managing changes to our systems.

You’ll bring energy and enthusiasm to the team, ensuring financial functions are carried out efficiently, effectively, accurately and in a timely way. You will be supported by a knowledgeable and experienced team. You'll focus on managing and improving financial processes, ensuring that the Leadership Group have up-to-date and accurate records for reporting to the Board, preparing the accounts for audit each year and improving processes.

Cymdeithas Elusennol Ynys Môn is seeking an experienced Honorary Treasurer to provide professional financial advice and guidance to its Board of Trustees. This is a paid, advisory role (non-trustee) focused on financial oversight, risk management, and supporting informed, sustainable decision-making.

Working closely with the Board and CEO, the postholder will help ensure the charity’s finances are well-managed, transparent, and compliant with charity law and accounting standards, including SORP. The role involves approximately two days per month, with hybrid working arrangements.

This is role offers the opportunity to apply senior financial expertise to the stewardship of a charitable fund for the benefit of communities across Ynys Môn, now and for future generations.

Applicants should hold a recognised professional financial qualification or have equivalent senior-level financial experience.

Senior FP&A Business Partner: £65,000 - £72,944 | Permanent | London | Hybrid | Full Time or 0.8 FTE

We're recruiting a Senior FP&A Business Partner (full-time or o.8 FTE) for a London University. Reporting to the Head of FP&A, the Senior FP&A Business Partner a data-driven, technical role providing expert financial analysis, complex financial modelling, and finance business partnering to the Leadership Team and is a key role in providing insightful analysis enable informed decision-making. Using the new Oracle EPM system, this role will also lead month-end, budgeting, forecasting and annual planning along with continuous improvement of finance systems and processes.

Main Duties:

• Support the Head of FP&A with financial analysis continuous improvement, financial modelling, and enhancements to reporting platforms
• Deputise and support the Head of FP&A with technical leadership of the Oracle EPM system, identifying improvements to the system to enhance output quality
• Own and train up-to-date documentation, reference information and finance processes across forecast and budget cycles
• Maintenance and improvement of the Tuition Fee Model, leading monthly forecasting providing income reporting
• Leading continuous improvements to Student Number Planning within Oracle EPM and contributing to its forecasting
• Financial planning and commercial insights to support business plan, highlighting risks to improve financial performance and sustainability
• Leading on the analysis of financial information to improve decision-making
• Set and manage expectations for month-end, budget cycles, forecast cycles and year-end
• Stakeholder Engagement - identify approaches to enhance stakeholder experience and continually challenge traditional ways of working.
• Supporting statutory data returns and the budgeting and forecasting cycles

Person Specification:

• CCAB qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with extensive experience building and maintaining financial models
• Extensive experience with financial reporting tools and building and maintaining complex reporting outputs
• Expert in making sense of complex data for decision-making
• Experience of developing and implementing financial systems (i.e., Oracle)
• Ideally experience working within Higher Education and with multi-stream income modelling

________

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.

Are you looking for your very first job? Want to build skills, grow your confidence, and get paid while you learn? We’re offering a brilliant opportunity for someone at the very beginning of their career to join our Finance Team. This is a hands-on, paid apprenticeship where you’ll rotate across the whole of our functions: statutory reporting, management accounts, suppliers and payments, invoicing and debtors and supporting the month and year end processes.

This role is designed for someone with little to no previous work experience, you must be at least 18 years of age, maybe you’ve just finished college, or taken part in a King’s Trust programme. You’ll get full training, learn how a national charity supports its people, and build real-world experience that could lead to a future career in, accounting, finance, administration or beyond.  

This is a full-time post (5 days a week), you will be studying for one day a week towards the Level 2 AAT Certificate in Accounting qualification and will need GCSE English and Maths (Level 4 or A-C grade) or equivalent.

We’re looking for someone reliable, happy to learn our IT systems, a confident communicator and most importantly, has a good eye for detail. There will be an assessment day at our Birmingham Centre on Tuesday 7th April and final interviews within two weeks of the assessment day.

We will be looking for the candidate to start in September 2026. Initially this will be 18-month fixed term contract with a view to a permanent position and progression to Level 3 dependent on the needs of the Trust. Candidates who already hold an equivalent or higher qualification in Accounting are not eligible for this role.

If you're ready to start your career journey in a supportive and inclusive team, we’d love to hear from you.

Are you an experienced governance or administrative leader who wants to make a real difference for animals in need? We’re looking for a proactive, highly organised Senior Administrative Manager to join our leadership team and serve as the charity’s named Company Secretary.

In this pivotal role, you’ll oversee governance, compliance, and financial administration—helping ensure our centre runs smoothly, legally, and sustainably so we can continue transforming animal lives.

Key responsibilities

· Lead governance and compliance across the organisation.

· Serve as Company Secretary: manage Board meetings, minutes, filings, and statutory registers.

· Support financial oversight, including budgeting processes, reporting, and financial controls.

About you

· Strong experience in charity governance, administration, or organisational management.

· Good understanding of UK charity and company law.

· Confident working with Trustees and senior leadership.

· Financially literate with excellent organisational and communication skills.

· Passionate about animal welfare and the values of our charity.

About us

We are a national charity dedicated to ensuring support and access to treatment for everyone living with leukodystrophy. These rare and often life-limiting conditions affect individuals and families in profound ways, and we are committed to ensuring that no one faces them alone.

Our work focuses on the shared challenges across all leukodystrophy conditions, bringing together those affected within a compassionate community of Tender Loving Care. Alongside providing support, we champion research, raise awareness among both the public and medical professionals, and collaborate with specialists and other rare disease charities to improve best practice across healthcare systems.

As we continue to develop and strengthen our impact, we are seeking an experienced and values-driven Chief Finance & Operations Officer to join our senior leadership team.

The role

This is a key leadership role within the organisation, responsible for ensuring strong financial stewardship, operational effectiveness, and regulatory compliance. Reporting to the CEO and working closely with the Board of Trustees, you will provide both strategic financial leadership and hands-on operational support.

This role will suit a qualified accountant who enjoys combining strategic oversight with practical involvement in the day-to-day realities of a small charity.

Please note that this is primarily an office-based role.

Key responsibilities

Finance & governance

• Lead on all aspects of financial management, reporting, and control
• Prepare management accounts, cashflow forecasts, budgets, and year-end statutory accounts
• Liaise with auditors/independent examiners
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission and Companies House requirements
• Work closely with the CEO and Treasurer and support the Board of Trustees with clear financial reporting and advice
• Oversee payroll, gift-aid and financial policies
• Work within our current Sage desktop system and support the transition to a cloud-based finance system, which is being implemented at the start of our new financial year (July 2026).

Operations

• Oversee operational systems and processes to ensure efficiency and compliance
• Support HR administration and organisational policies
• Manage risk, insurance, and regulatory requirements
• Contribute to strategic planning and organisational development
• Be willing to engage in day-to-day operational matters as they arise

About you

We are looking for someone who:

• Is a fully qualified accountant (ACCA, ICAEW, or equivalent)
• Has proven experience in charity finance, including SORP and restricted funding
• Has experience working with trustees and senior leadership teams
• Is comfortable working both strategically and operationally
• Is hands-on, pragmatic, and solutions-focused
• Has excellent communication skills and the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues
• Is aligned with our mission and values

Experience in a small charity environment would be highly desirable.

Why join us?

• Opportunity to make a meaningful impact in a values-led organisation
• Senior leadership role with influence across the organisation
• Flexible working arrangements
• A collaborative and supportive working environment

For 30 years, Wallace & Gromit’s Grand Appeal has helped transform children’s healthcare in Bristol, funding pioneering treatment, facilities and research at Bristol Children’s Hospital and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at St Michael’s Hospital. By uniting philanthropy with world-class medicine, the charity enables clinicians to deliver exceptional care and improve outcomes for babies and children across the South West and beyond. Our long-standing partnership with Aardman underpins the charity’s national profile and reach, while initiatives such as Cots for Tots and Gromit Unleashed demonstrate the scale, creativity and impact of our work. As The Grand Appeal continues to grow in scale, complexity and long-term investment commitments, we are creating a new Group Financial Controller role to strengthen financial leadership across the organisation and its subsidiary activities. This is a pivotal role at the heart of the charity. The successful candidate will ensure that the organisation’s financial systems, commitments and reporting remain robust, transparent and capable of supporting ambitious future plans - from major capital projects to long-term programme investment. Working closely with senior leadership and external advisers, the Group Financial Controller will help ensure that donor funds are stewarded responsibly and that the charity remains financially resilient as it evolves and grows. The role also covers the charity’s significant commercial and retail activity delivered through its trading subsidiary, requiring clear financial visibility of trading performance, margins and income streams. You will ensure this activity is reflected confidently within group reporting, supporting disciplined growth and long-term financial resilience. We are looking for someone who combines strong technical financial expertise with a practical, hands-on approach and the confidence to operate at both operational and strategic levels. This role offers the opportunity to shape financial governance in a growing, high-impact charity where financial leadership directly enables better outcomes for children and families. If you are motivated by purpose, value, integrity and want your work to have real-world impact, we would love to hear from you