Finance Manager
Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Hours: 4 days a week (28 hours)
Salary: Dependent on experience and skill set
About the Organisation
A community-based charity committed to delivering high-quality, person-centred support to individuals experiencing homelessness, crisis, and multiple disadvantage. Services span supported housing, crisis and drop‑in provision, food services, a social supermarket, and a trading subsidiary.
Those supported are often living with the long-term effects of complex childhood trauma, alongside challenges including addiction, mental ill‑health, and significant health inequality. Work is rooted in compassion, and belief everyone deserves the chance to rebuild their life.
Purpose of the Role
We are looking for an experienced Finance Manager to take ownership of the financial health of the organisation. You will provide robust financial management, ensure compliance across a varied range of income streams, and act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership and trustees.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the preparation of monthly management accounts, including commentary and variance analysis.
- Drive the annual budgeting and forecasting cycle.
- Deliver clear, accessible financial reporting to the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Trustees.
- Monitor performance against budget and flag risks in a timely manner.
- Maintain accurate management of restricted and unrestricted funds in line with funder requirements.
- Ensure correct income recognition across grants, contracts, rental income, donations, and trading.
- Oversee subsidiary and retail‑style accounting activities.
- Support the preparation of funder financial reports and returns.
- Manage financial processes relating to supported housing stock, including rent accounting and arrears.
- Work alongside operational managers to support cost control and budget ownership.
- Provide financial oversight across seasonal and crisis services.
- Take the lead on annual audit and independent examination preparation.
- Ensure adherence to Charity Commission requirements and applicable accounting standards including SORP.
- Manage VAT obligations, particularly in relation to trading activity.
- Own and develop Finance Policy, procedures, and standard operating processes.
- Serve as a key financial adviser to the CEO and Board.
- Input into organisational strategy, long‑term financial planning, and sustainability.
- Contribute to funding bids and business planning activity.
- Line manage the Finance Officer, providing support and development.
- Oversee payroll processing and HMRC and pension compliance.
- Develop and maintain financial systems and reporting tools.
Person Specification
Essential
- Proven experience in a finance role within the charity, not‑for‑profit, or housing sector.
- Solid grounding in management accounting, budgeting, and financial controls.
- Experience managing multiple income streams including restricted funding.
- Confident communicating financial information to non‑finance audiences.
- Strong Excel skills and experience with SAGE accounting software.
- Comfortable working both strategically and at a hands‑on operational level.
Desirable
- Accountancy qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or working towards one.
- Knowledge of Charity SORP and VAT in mixed‑income organisations.
- Experience in supported housing finance.
- Previous line management responsibility.
Key Attributes
- Values‑driven with strong commercial awareness.
- Analytical and detail‑focused.
- Collaborative, with a genuine commitment to supporting frontline services.
Search is an equal opportunities recruiter and we welcome applications from all suitably skilled or qualified applicants, regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/beliefs, sexual orientation or age.
