About Harbour Housing:
Harbour Housing is a charity working to transform the lives of some of Cornwall's most vulnerable people and to play our part in making homelessness a thing of the past. We provide safe, supported accommodation alongside tailored services including outreach, cold weather provision, and specialist projects.
But we offer more than just a roof, we offer a home. By working closely with each individual, we help people overcome barriers, build confidence, and move towards independent living. We believe a safe and secure home is a basic human right, and we are proud to be part of the solution.
The Opportunity:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Management Accountant to join our dynamic Senior Leadership Team. This role will provide high-quality financial insight, analysis, and reporting to support strategic decision-making and ensure the long-term financial sustainability of Harbour Housing.
Reporting directly to the Group Operations Director, the Management Accountant will play a pivotal role in budgeting, forecasting, cost analysis, and financial planning processes – ensuring that our resources are used effectively to deliver the greatest impact for our charitable objectives. The postholder will also ensure compliance with financial regulations and contribute to the continuous improvement of financial controls and reporting across the charity.
While this is not a frontline role, the successful candidate will be required to engage with our residents, who are at the very heart of everything we do. Understanding their experiences and perspectives is vital, as it ensures that financial decisions are firmly connected to the people and communities we serve. For this reason, the right person must hold strong professional and ethical values and demonstrate a commitment to our innovative, person-centred way of working.
This is a unique opportunity for a finance professional who wants their work to go beyond numbers, someone who wants to use their expertise to make a tangible difference in people's lives.
Key Responsibilities:
* Lead the preparation and consolidation of annual budgets with department heads, ensuring alignment with strategic priorities.
* Develop and maintain financial forecasting models reflecting service delivery, income, and occupancy.
* Provide analysis and clear commentary on budgets, forecasts, and financial risks/opportunities.
* Track financial performance and produce timely variance reports with actionable insights.
* Produce management accounts and tailored reports for SMT, Trustees, and funders.
* Design dashboards and KPI reports to monitor financial and service performance.
* Support funding applications with robust financial modelling and analysis.
* Prepare year-end information for auditors and contribute to statutory accounts (Charity SORP).
* Advise and support managers in understanding financial data and making informed decisions.
* Present financial updates clearly to both financial and non-financial colleagues.
* Ensure financial compliance across income streams, housing benefit, service charges, and procurement.
* Monitor and strengthen internal controls, processes, and financial governance.
* Lead, supervise, and develop the accounts team, promoting high standards and collaboration.
* Work with external auditors and ensure compliance with Charity Commission, HMRC, and Companies House requirements.
Person Specification:
Essential:
* Fully qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA or equivalent) with ongoing CPD.
* Minimum 5 years' experience in management accounting/financial leadership (charity, public or housing sector desirable).
* Strong budgeting, forecasting, and financial analysis skills.
* Excellent communication, able to present complex data clearly to financial and non-financial audiences.
* Advanced Excel and financial systems experience (e.g. Sage, Xero).
* Strategic thinker with proven ability to influence decision-making.
* Experience managing/overseeing a finance team.
* Knowledge of Charity SORP, fund accounting, and compliance.
* Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and ability to prioritise under pressure.
* Full UK driving licence.
Desirable:
* Experience in charity or housing finance.
* Project accounting and funding bid support.
* External audit preparation and liaison.
* Ability to train and support non-finance staff with budgets and financial processes.
* Experience engaging with trustees, funders, or commissioners.
Benefits:
· Car allowance
· Annual attendance bonus in the region of £1000
· Access to a 24/7 on demand GP
· Store discounts
· Coaching/mentoring
. Access to mental health and wellbeing support
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £40,000.00-£48,240.00 per year
Benefits:
* Casual dress
* Company events
* Financial planning services
* Health & wellbeing programme
* Life insurance
* Referral programme
Licence/Certification:
* Driving Licence (required)
Work Location: In person