Job Title
Part-Time Financial Controller
Hours
8–12 hours per week
(flexible, to be agreed)
This role may be delivered on a
fractional basis
, subject to discussion.
Reports to
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Purpose of the Role
The Financial Controller will provide senior financial oversight and assurance for the organisation, ensuring robust financial management, accurate reporting, and effective cashflow and budget forecasting.
The role exists to strengthen financial governance, support strategic decision-making, and reduce the level of day-to-day financial involvement required from the CEO.
Key Responsibilities
Financial Reporting & Management Accounts
* Prepare and oversee
monthly management accounts
, ensuring accuracy, clarity, and timeliness
* Provide clear
variance analysis
against budget, with narrative insight for the CEO and Board
* Ensure appropriate financial controls and compliance with accounting standards relevant to the charity sector
Budgeting & Forecasting
* Lead on
short- and long-term budgeting
, working with the CEO and budget holders
* Oversee and maintain
cashflow forecasting
, including 13-week rolling forecasts
* Identify financial risks, pressures, and opportunities, and advise on mitigations
Audit & Compliance
* Act as the main finance lead for the
annual external audit
* Prepare audit schedules and liaise with external auditors and accountants
* Ensure compliance with charity finance regulations and reporting requirements
Financial Oversight & Support
* Provide professional oversight and guidance to the Finance Coordinator, who manages transactional processing (e.g. invoices, payments)
* Act as a trusted financial adviser to the CEO, offering insight rather than just data
* Support continuous improvement of financial systems, processes, and reporting
Strategic Contribution
* Translate financial information into
clear, decision-useful insight
for senior leadership and trustees
* Support financial planning aligned to organisational strategy and sustainability
Person Specification
Essential
* Fully qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
* Significant experience in a
Financial Controller or senior finance role
* Strong track record in management accounts, budgeting, and cashflow forecasting
* Experience supporting or leading external audits
* Ability to work independently and exercise sound professional judgement
* Clear communicator, able to explain financial information to non-financial colleagues
Desirable
* Experience in the
charity or not-for-profit sector
* Experience working in a part-time or fractional capacity
* Familiarity with organisations in the £1–2m turnover range
Personal Attributes
* Trusted, calm, and confident financial presence
* Detail-focused without losing sight of the bigger picture
* Values-led and aligned with the mission of the organisation
* Comfortable working flexibly and collaboratively with senior leadership
What This Role Is (and Is Not)
* This is a
senior oversight and assurance role
, not a transactional bookkeeping position
* Working alongside our Finance Co-ordinator, the role is designed to
own financial leadership
, allowing the CEO to step back from operational finance
* Hours are intentionally limited, with focus on impact rather than volume