Tax accountant jobs in Manchester

What if your ability to navigate complex tax regulations could unlock thousands of pounds in savings while ensuring full compliance for one of the UK’s biggest charities? As a Financial Accountant at Alzheimer’s Society, you'll play a vital role in ensuring financial integrity and compliance as we work to end the devastation caused by dementia.

About the opportunity

As a Financial Accountant within our Finance & Assurance directorate, you'll be part of a team that's transforming how we deliver financial partnership across the organisation. We're on an ambitious journey to become the Society's single point of financial truth. We aim to be trusted partners and credible experts who enable the organisation to make faster, better-informed decisions.

This is a highly technical, hands-on role where VAT expertise is your primary focus. You'll prepare and review accurate VAT returns, manage partial exemption calculations, and ensure we optimise our VAT position while maintaining full compliance. Beyond VAT, you'll oversee Corporation Tax, Gift Aid claims, and other statutory tax obligations, acting as the go-to technical expert who ensures we meet every requirement on time and in full.

Your deep knowledge of tax regulations, combined with your ability to explain complex matters clearly, will help colleagues across the Society understand their tax obligations and make tax-efficient decisions. Working in partnership with colleagues across Finance and the wider organisation, you'll build relationships with HMRC and other regulatory bodies and proactively identify opportunities to strengthen our tax processes and optimise our position within the rules.

About you:

You're a qualified accountant with expertise in VAT compliance, particularly partial exemption, and broader knowledge of Corporation Tax, Gift Aid, and other statutory obligations. You understand that effective tax work optimises our position within regulations while helping colleagues make informed, tax-efficient decisions. You're comfortable managing complex VAT scenarios and thrive in a hands-on role where technical precision matters.

You'll have:

- A CCAB qualification achieved through education, or demonstrable equivalent knowledge and experience that evidences your understanding of the role's requirements.
- Proven experience preparing VAT returns and managing partial exemption calculations, with confidence navigating complex VAT scenarios.
- Strong working knowledge of UK tax regulations including VAT, Gift Aid, Corporation Tax, and other relevant statutory obligations.
- Experience working with HMRC and managing tax enquiries, demonstrating credibility and professionalism in regulatory relationships.
- Demonstrated experience as a Financial Accountant in a large or complex organisation.
- The ability to work effectively across departments and at all levels of the organisation. Translating complex tax matters into practical guidance that helps colleagues make informed decisions.
- Experience with cloud-based ERP systems (we use Unit4).
- A commitment to continuous improvement, bringing best practice and proactive thinking to tax compliance delivery.

What you'll focus on:

- Overseeing VAT compliance - preparing and reviewing accurate VAT returns, managing partial exemption calculations, and ensuring we optimise our VAT position while maintaining full compliance.
- Overseeing Corporation Tax and Gift Aid compliance as well as other statutory tax obligations, proactively support the wider Society to optimise our tax position.
- Building and maintaining strong relationships with HMRC, managing enquiries or audits with professionalism.
- Providing clear tax guidance across the Society, helping colleagues understand tax implications and empowering them to make tax-efficient decisions within regulations.
- Working seamlessly with colleagues across the Finance team to provide integrated, end-to-end financial partnership across the Society.
- Driving continuous improvement in tax compliance quality and efficiency, while role-modelling our values and fostering a culture of learning and accountability.

Can you see yourself as the tax expert who ensures Alzheimer's Society optimises every opportunity within regulations while maintaining full compliance? Are you ready to make tax something colleagues engage with confidently rather than avoid? Can you bring both technical precision and clear guidance to ensure our tax position protects our resources and enables our mission to end the devastation of dementia?

Important Dates

Deadline for applications: Wednesday 7th January
Invites sent by: Monday 12th January
There will be two interview stages taking place virtually, starting from week commencing 12th January

About Alzheimer's Society

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer. One in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.

At Alzheimer’s Society, we’re the UK’s leading dementia charity and the only one to tackle all aspects of dementia by giving help and hope to people living with dementia today and in the future. We give vital support to people facing the most frightening times of their lives, while also funding ground-breaking research and campaigning to make dementia the priority it should be.

Together with our supporters, we’re working towards a world where dementia no longer devastates lives.

Our values make sure that our focus is clear for the challenges and opportunities ahead and remind us of what we all stand for.

Our commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging

We need to ensure the voices around our table better reflect and understand the communities we exist to serve. We strongly encourage individuals to apply who have a disability, impairment or health condition or individuals who identify as Black, Asian or from another minority ethnic background, as these groups are currently under-represented at Alzheimer's Society.  

We want everyone we work with, as a colleague, volunteer, supporter, or someone we support, to feel included and that they belong at Alzheimer's Society. 

Our Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy here along with our internal employee forum and Employee Lived Experience network groups help us promote inclusion and belonging, becoming an engaged and inclusive organisation for all our people. 

Our hiring process

During your recruitment process we want to make sure that you bring your whole self and can be at your best. We are working hard to ensure our recruitment process is as inclusive as possible, so please do inform us of your experience and anything you think we could do better by completing our candidate survey when you apply.  Please also contact Alzheimer’s Society Talent Acquisition Team via [email protected] for application support or any adjustments you might need.

To ensure fairness and consistency to select the best candidate for this role, all our applications are anonymised up until an interview has been confirmed. We recognise the benefits of AI, but if you're considering using it to submit your application, we encourage you to reflect on the value it truly adds. AI tools often lack the personal touch and authenticity that set candidates apart. We want to hear your unique perspective, experiences, and skills, so we encourage you to showcase them in your own voice.

We try to avoid closing roles early where possible, however if we receive a high volume of applications, we may close earlier than the advertised closing date. Should this occur, we will aim to provide you with at least 48 hours' notice.

We are committed to safer recruitment and ensuring the welfare of those we work with, due to the nature of some of our roles, we might need to carry out a DBS check at the relevant level.

Giving back to you

Our employees work hard every day to make a true difference in people's lives. We are proud to support them with a range of benefits, recognition and many options for working agilely, all contributing to a strong work life balance. We also have various learning programmes to support you in your development and help you grow to realise your potential and shape a career with Alzheimer's Society. 

You can also visit our Working for Us pages, which give you more information about what it’s like to be an employee at the Society.

The Organisation

This is a well-established national charity with an income in excess of £100 million, playing a vital role in supporting people affected by a major health condition. The organisation is values-driven, impact-focused, and undergoing continuous improvement in its financial operations. The Finance & Assurance directorate is a trusted partner across the charity, enabling better decision-making through high-quality financial insight and compliance.

The Job

As Financial Accountant, you'll lead a small team and report to the Head of Financial Accounting. You'll be responsible for producing accurate financial statements, managing audit deliverables, ensuring compliance with charity and company law, and driving improvements in financial processes and reporting. This is a hands-on technical role with leadership responsibilities, requiring collaboration across finance, systems, and planning teams to deliver a seamless finance function.

Key responsibilities include:
- Preparing statutory accounts and technical accounting adjustments
- Leading year-end processes and audit engagement
- Ensuring compliance with VAT, Corporation Tax, and Gift Aid
- Driving system and process improvements
- Supporting and developing Associate Accountants

The Person

You'll be a qualified accountant with strong technical expertise in SORP/FRS102 and experience in a large, complex organisation. You'll bring a track record of producing high-quality financial reports, managing audits, and improving performance through data and collaboration. Open to candidates coming straight from practice, especially those who have previously laised with charities.

We're looking for someone who:
- Communicates confidently with senior stakeholders
- Builds high-performing, accountable teams
- Is resilient, adaptable, and committed to continuous improvement
- Works collaboratively across departments and disciplines
- Champions inclusion and values-driven leadership

What's in it for You?

- A meaningful role in a purpose-led organisation making a real difference

- Remote working with occasional office attendance
- Competitive salary in the region of £50,000-£58,000
- 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays, rising with service
- Up to 8% employer pension contribution
- Life assurance and income protection
- Employee assistance programme and wellbeing support
- Season ticket loan and cycle-to-work scheme
- Opportunities for professional development and career progression
- A collaborative, high-support environment focused on learning and impact

What to Do Now

If you're a technically strong accountant who thrives in a collaborative, mission-driven environment, I'd love to hear from you. Apply now or get in touch for a confidential conversation.

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Financial Controller

 

We are looking for an experienced and solutions-focused Financial Controller to join UKROEd at a pivotal time. This is an exciting opportunity to play a major role in ensuring robust financial management across both UKROEd and The Road Safety Trust, supporting our mission to improve road safety and reduce harm on the UK’s roads.

 

Position: Financial Controller
Location: Manchester, Hybrid working, with a minimum of two days per week at Head Office
Salary: Circa £70,000 (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week
Contract: Permanent

 

Closing Date: Sunday 11th January 2026
(We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications.)

 

Interviews: 4th February 2026, in person, Manchester

The Role

As second-in-command to the Chief Finance Officer, the Financial Controller will oversee the collection, consolidation and analysis of financial data across UKROEd and The Road Safety Trust. This is a broad and hands-on leadership role, central to maintaining strong financial governance, ensuring statutory and regulatory compliance, and safeguarding organisational assets.

You will lead the financial control environment, oversee key financial processes including payroll, procurement, budgeting and reporting, and drive continuous improvement in how financial information is produced, interpreted and used. As a trusted partner to senior leaders and trustees, you will support informed decision-making by providing accurate, timely and high-quality financial insights.

Key Responsibilities

· Oversee financial operations, controls and compliance across both organisations

· Produce management accounts, financial reports and statutory returns

· Lead payroll, pensions, procurement and the purchase-to-pay cycle

· Manage assets, liabilities and financial risk registers

· Support budgeting, forecasting and financial strategy delivery

· Liaise with auditors, bankers, insurers and advisers

· Oversee NDORS-related billing and financial processes

· Provide leadership and guidance to the Finance Manager

 

About You

We are seeking a highly capable finance professional with strong technical expertise, exceptional attention to detail and a proactive approach to improving financial governance. You will bring the confidence to work with senior stakeholders, the experience to manage complex financial operations, and the integrity to uphold the highest standards of financial stewardship.

Essential Experience & Knowledge

• At least 5 years’ experience managing financial operations.
• Hold a ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualification.
• Degree in accounting, finance, business, economics or related field.
• Demonstrable experience as a Financial Controller.
• Strong understanding of management accounting principles.
• In-depth knowledge of budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Strong understanding of tax codes, laws and statutory reporting.
• Experience working with senior stakeholders and writing high-quality reports.
• Proficiency in accounting systems and advanced spreadsheet skills.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
• Highly organised, accurate and detail-oriented.
• Willingness to undertake NPPV Level 3 vetting.

 

Desirable:

• Experience in policing, local authority or charity sector finance.
• Experience using Xero or similar accounting systems.

To Apply

Please submit your CV along with a covering letter detailing how your skills, knowledge and experience meet the requirements of the role.

About UKROEd

UKROEd Ltd is a private, not-for-profit company responsible for the delivery, management and administration of the National Driver Offender Retraining Scheme (NDORS) on behalf of the police service. As the operating company of The Road Safety Trust, UKROEd supports the education of drivers who commit low-level traffic offences and contributes to a safer road network for all.

You may have experience in roles such as: Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Senior Finance Business Partner, Senor Financial Accountant, Head of Financial Accounts, Finance and Operations Manager, Head of Finance, Finance Director, etc….

 

PLEASE NOTE: This role is being advertised by NFP People on behalf of the organisation

Reports to: Operations Director (Head of Delivery) 
Contract: Part-time (0.5 FTE) 

Interview process: Will be in the New Year 

Role Purpose 

As Payroll Lead, you will manage HOST’s global payroll operations — ensuring that all staff, contractors, and hosted partners are paid accurately, compliantly, and on time. 

You will bring structure, care, and precision to one of HOST’s most essential services: ensuring the people driving climate and social action receive the financial stability they need to do their best work. 

This role supports both internal HOST staff and hosted partners, liaising across HR, Finance, and Community Support to deliver secure, compliant, and efficient payroll management. You will also help develop new systems and processes as HOST expands internationally, ensuring our operations remain smooth, transparent, and aligned with local legislation. 

Core Responsibilities 

1. Payroll Management 

• Manage all aspects of monthly payroll for UK and international employees, contractors, and hosted partner staff. 

• Prepare and process payroll changes (new hires, terminations, pay adjustments) in line with internal procedures. 

• Ensure timely submission of payroll information to Finance and external providers. 

• Reconcile payroll each month, identifying and resolving any discrepancies. 
   

• Reporting cadence: Monthly payroll cycle; quarterly summary to Operations Director. 

2. Compliance and Record-Keeping 

• Ensure full compliance with UK employment law, tax regulations, and international payroll requirements in collaboration with external providers. 

• Maintain accurate and confidential employee and contractor records. 

• Support statutory reporting, including PAYE, HMRC, and pension submissions. 

• Liaise with HOST’s Finance Team on audits and compliance reviews. 
  Reporting cadence: Monthly compliance report; annual payroll compliance review. 

3. System Management and Improvement 

• Maintain and improve digital payroll systems, ensuring data accuracy and secure integration with Finance and HR tools. 

• Support the development of HOSTHub payroll features and automation processes with the Tech Team. 

• Identify opportunities to simplify workflows and strengthen reporting. 
  Reporting cadence: Quarterly system and process improvement review. 

4. Contractor and International Payroll Support 

• Coordinate with the Community Support and Finance Teams to process international contractor payments, ensuring correct deductions and documentation. 

• Liaise with local payroll providers and Employer of Record (EoR) partners to ensure compliance in each jurisdiction. 

• Track and report on cross-border payroll performance and issue resolution. 
  Reporting cadence: Monthly report; immediate escalation of compliance concerns. 

5. HR and Staff Support 

• Serve as the primary point of contact for payroll queries from staff and contractors, providing clear and timely responses. 

• Collaborate with the HR & Operations teams to ensure policies and processes reflect payroll updates and legislation. 

• Support onboarding and offboarding processes for staff and contractors. 
  Reporting cadence: Ongoing; monthly summary of staff queries and resolutions. 

6. Risk and Confidentiality 

• Identify potential payroll or compliance risks, escalating concerns to the Operations Director and Finance Manager. 

• Ensure all payroll data and personal information are handled securely, in line with GDPR and HOST’s data protection policies. 
  Reporting cadence: Ongoing; quarterly inclusion in organisational risk report. 

Key Relationships 

Internal: Operations Director, Finance Manager, Accountant, Community Support Leads, HR & Payroll External Specialist, and Legal Lead. 
External: Payroll providers, Employer of Record partners, and hosted partner representatives. 

Performance Indicators 

• 100% accuracy in payroll delivery and documentation. 

• 100% on-time monthly payroll completion. 

• All compliance and statutory submissions completed by deadline. 

• 100% confidentiality maintained in payroll data handling. 

• Measurable improvements in payroll efficiency and staff satisfaction. 

Qualifications/Experience:  Member of recognised payroll body e.g. CIPP/GPA 

Summary

EduSpots is an innovative, dynamic, and community-orientated UK and Ghanaian registered charity which connects, trains, and equips grassroots voluntary educators (named ‘Catalysts’) to drive community-led change through education spaces named ‘Spots’. Our vision is of a world in which communities unite to create the futures they want to see, through education.

Since 2016, through collaborating with over 400 local voluntary community educators and actors – named ‘Catalysts’ – who take a central leadership role in the development of the network, we have supported 50 communities in creating and running community-led and owned education spaces named ‘Spots’’. Together, we are developing a model for a community-led education space with accompanying network engagement that could have global relevance. 

Our Ghana-based team creates collaborative learning opportunities through three leadership programmes for Catalysts which are increasingly facilitated by the EduSpots app: the Ignite, Catalyse and Inspire Mentoring Programmes. These enable the Catalysts to lead EduKidz (early years education), DigLit (digital literacy), EcoSTEM (STEM and environmental education) and Ignite Equity (gender equity) clubs for learners typically aged 3-16, alongside locally designed education projects, reaching over 10,000 learners of all ages annually. 

We are in an exciting period of our development, having more than doubled our income, programme breadth and reach in the last two years, with a recent independent evaluation by Expectation State offering further evidence in support of our model’s outcomes. We have been recently selected for two accelerator programmes, who are supporting us as we consider the scaling potential of our model. In the period, we are aiming to double our network reach, bringing an additional 50 Spots into the network.

We won the Tes International Award in 2018 and the Big Give Supporters’ Choice Award in 2022, and we were recently selected as a finalist for the 2023 Their World Scale-Up Innovation Prize. In 2021, our Founder was a Finalist in the UNESCO-backed $1 million Global Teacher Prize.

We are excited by our future. 

About this role 

The Global Head of Operations is a new role being introduced in 2026 with the core purpose of strengthening systems, processes and strategic delivery across both EduSpots Global and EduSpots Ghana, offering hands-on support to the CEO and wider staff across a range of areas.

In this senior role, you will work closely alongside the CEO, offering her the advice and skills needed to move EduSpots successfully through a complex period of growth in a challenging fundraising context, enabling more learners and Catalysts to participate in a unique community-led model of education, whilst sharing our practice more widely.

We are looking for an organised and empathetic strategic leader, ideally with strong or developing skills across project management, finance, HR and MEL skills and an ability to work independently in a fast moving work environment.

This role has the potential to grow into a Director of Global Operations or Deputy CEO role in time for outstanding candidates, and carries significant organisation-wide responsibility.

Candidates should hold a genuine passion for educational equity, a strong belief in the power of community-led models to transform lives at scale and a high level of flexibility in a fast-changing yet friendly and playful work environment.

Whilst this role is remote, and open to all global candidates, you will need to have understanding and experience of UK law, accounting and policy development, or a strong appetite to build experience in this area quickly.

Main duties and responsibilities 

Systems

• Work with the CEO and staff to proactively strengthen systems and processes across the organisation, including monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks and operations. 
• Support the wider team with IT, including general skill development, leading the Google Space system. 
• Monitor compliance to organisational policies and lead the quarterly review of the organisational risk register, working with the Ghana Head of Operations. 

Finance 

• Work with the Finance and Admin Officer to produce monthly and quarterly global management accounts, cash flow analysis and to complete the annual audit. 
• Lead the financial planning of the organisation, working with the CEO and the Ghana Head of Operations to create the annual budget. 
• Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to strengthen financial systems, processes, and training across the organisation. 
• Work with the Ghana Head of Operations to prepare budgets for funding bids as needed.
• Work with the grants team to track grant spending and produce consolidated financial reports (including expenditure from the UK and Ghana) for donors. 
• Ensure EduSpots’ new accounting software (QuickBooks) is fully embedded and utilised.
• Oversee bank account management, including payments, checking bank statements, and reviewing bank reconciliations for UK and Ghana.
• Ensure staff payroll (likely to be outsourced) and payments to freelancers / consultants are done accurately and in a timely manner.

HR

• Work alongside the CEO, Head of Operations, Safeguarding and Inclusion Managers  and wider staff to develop strategies to sustain and strengthen a high performing and friendly work culture. 
• Work across the team to strengthen HR and performance management structures, informed by best practice and legal frameworks. 
• Lead the recruitment of staff, consultants and volunteers in the UK (advertising roles, drafting contracts, contacting referees and completing all filing and administration relating to recruitment).
• Onboard new staff, provide training on policies and procedures, and track key information (leave, appraisals, etc) for UK staff. 
• Regularly review and keep the Staff Handbook up to date.
• Depending on skill-set, work with the CEO to lead professional development for staff across the organisation, liaising with trustees and advisory group members.

Administration & Governance

• Manage and maintain databases and our Google Drive system. 
• Ensure compliance with GDPR and adherence to our child safeguarding and protection policy. 
• Maintain insurance renewals, tracking and filing.
• Review and keep up to date all organisational policies in line with current legislation, working with the Trustees and Directors. 
• Assist the CEO in the administration relating to EduSpots’ governance, including board meeting arrangements and minute taking.
• Support the CEO in all ad-hoc tasks that arise, working closely alongside her to ensure the smooth running of the organisation. 

Strategic insight 

• Work closely with the CEO and staff/Catalysts across the organisation to ensure all EduSpots’ decision-making is strategic and in the best interests of the Catalysts, Sparks and Communities we partner with. 

Other areas 

• Depending on experience, you may in time take on management responsibilities for some staff, but this role is principally a systems strengthening and quality improvement role, working closely with the CEO to offer advice and additional capacity. 
• Depending on experience, you may support with grants writing / management and/or community fundraising. Experience of fundraising would be of significant benefit to the organisation in this key leadership role. 

Personal Specification 

Essential 

• Minimum of 7 years’ experience of operations in a small/medium charity context. 
• Self-starter with the ability to hit the ground running and work with minimal supervision with high levels of flexibility.
• Self-motivated, with an ability to motivate and energise others.
• High level strategic understanding, critical thinking and the ability to strengthen systems in a fast-paced high performance environment.
• Excellent communication, both oral and written.
• The ability to thrive and adapt in a fast-paced, creative and impact-driven culture. 
• Strong administrative skills with a high level of attention to detail. 
• Experience in creating user-friendly tools and processes to support project and quality management.
• Experience using Google Suite, with strong Excel skills.
• Tech savvy – ability to learn new tech tools efficiently.
• Experience coordinating others. 
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills with strong empathy and cultural sensitivity 
• Strong personal alignment with the mission, vision and values of EduSpots. 

Highly desirable 

• Experience supporting charity Boards, and working with external bodies including auditors, tax authorities, and other official bodies is highly desirable.
• Experience complying and strong familiarity with UK charity regulations and requirements.
• Experience preparing budgets and financial reports for donors/grants. 
• Experience of working in a cross-cultural team.
• Experience of working with an international charity would be advantageous. 

Please send a tailored covering letter and CV addressed to the CEO Miss Cat Davison by Wednesday 31st December with a hope to meet shortlisted candidates for a first-round interview in the week starting Monday 12th January.