Introduction to the job role
To lead the day-to-day operation of the finance function, ensuring accurate transactional processing, strong financial controls, compliant payroll, and timely reporting. The role will line-manage two Finance Officers and work closely with the Head of Finance & Resource Planning and the Senior Finance Officer to maintain a high-performing finance team
Responsibilities
Oversee and improve day-to-day finance processes (AP/AR, credit control, banking, journals, month-end routines).
Ensure transactions are posted accurately with robust coding, narrative, and audit trail.
Maintain effective workflow control (finance inbox, task prioritisation, approvals tracking).
Oversee payment runs and cash controls, ensuring strong separation of duties and compliance with delegated authority.
Maintain and monitor key finance control accounts, ensuring timely investigation and resolution of variances.
Own and maintain the cashflow forecast (weekly/monthly), ensuring it is accurate, timely, and clearly presented.
Track restricted vs unrestricted cash implications and highlight emerging risks (timing, grant drawdowns, payroll peaks).
Oversee payroll end-to-end (monthly processing, approvals, reconciliations, pension submissions, HMRC compliance, and year-end tasks).
Maintain strong payroll controls, confidentiality, and clear documented payroll checklists/timetables.
Own the month-end close timetable for day-to-day areas and ensure deadlines are met.
Produce timely management information for the Head of Finance.
Maintain an audit-ready finance function with clear working papers, reconciliations, and supporting evidence.
Maintain and improve board-level reporting packs (structure, consistency, narrative, and supporting analysis.
Apply charity accounting requirements in day-to-day processing and reporting.
Support VAT return preparation and maintain VAT schedules.
Person specification
Essential
Significant hands-on finance experience, ideally within a charity/not-for-profit environment (charity experience essential).
Strong cashflow forecasting experience (building and maintaining forecasts, managing assumptions, communicating risks).
Proven experience building and/or improving board reporting packs and senior-level finance reporting.
Payroll oversight experience (processing, pensions, HMRC compliance, reconciliations).
Excellent attention to detail with a consistent track record of meeting deadlines and delivering high-quality work.
Strong people skills and confidence managing others (or clear evidence of coaching/leading in a finance setting).
Strong systems confidence — able to pick up and work effectively with less familiar software (e.g., Xledger, Access CRM).
Excellent Excel skills and ability to present financial information clearly.
Desirable
Payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP Foundation / Practitioner, or equivalent).
VAT experience, ideally including Partial Exemption (or willingness to learn quickly).
Experience in multi-entity environments (e.g., charity + multiple trading subsidiary).
Part-qualified or qualified (AAT/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA).
Experience supporting statutory audit and/or grant audits with strong working paper discipline.
General
Plan, organize and manage workload to ensure duties/processes are completed in a timely and accurate manner.
Be familiar with Trust Policies and Procedures.
Present a friendly, professional, competent and tidy personal appearance.
Qualifications:
Required: Qualified-by-experience welcomed; a degree is not required.
Experience and knowledge
Essential:
Managing Day to day finance operations
Delivering a structured month-end close
Experience improving or tightening financial controls
Line management experience
Desirable:
Experience working with a trading subsidiary and intercompany transactions/recharges
Experience implementing process change
Experience overseeing or supporting payroll
Experience in a charity / not-for-profit
Skills:
Essential:
Charity Finance experience
Practical Payroll experience
Advance Excel skills
People management
Desirable:
Charity SORP / Exposure to FRS102
VAT Knowledge
Cashflow forecasting
Qualities:
Enthusiasm, motivation and dedication
Personable and approachable
Self starter
Ability to engage confidently and professionally with a diverse array of stakeholders
Empathetic to a broad range of individuals' needs
High level of focus and attention to detail
Proactive, highly flexible and comfortable with change
Personal commitment to nature conservation and sustainable living