Head of Finance

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Job Title: Head of Finance
Salary: £45,000 to £50,000 depending on experience, plus £3,000 London Weighting if home base is in London
Closing Date: 5 January 2025
Reporting to: Chief Operating Officer
Line management: None at present but works closely with the Senior Finance and Operations Coordinator.
Contract: Permanent – full-time (37.5 hours, Monday to Friday). The Access Project welcomes reasonable requests for flexible working arrangements.
Job location: Hybrid (combination of London office and home working – does not exclude candidates from outside London)
Interview date: 15 & 17 January 2025
Start date: 31 January 2025

Application process:
The Access Project is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell for this vacancy. Please submit your CV to the Recruitment Consultant Katie Moore at or call Katie on 0203 889 4110.

Selection process:
There will be a test (via e-mail) to complete prior to the interview if your application is shortlisted to the interview stage (to be completed within approx. 1-1.5 hr).

Interview questions will focus on the candidates’ experience relevant to this job description as well as their preferred working style. We want to understand technical expertise as well as how the person works with people.

About the role:
This is an exciting role for a motivated self-starter, who is keen to make a key contribution to delivering financial strategy and has a well-rounded business partnering approach to Finance. The Access Project has ambitious plans to grow and is looking for a Head of Finance to build strong foundations in relation to financial literacy and commercial awareness across the organisation, working closely with the Executive and budget holders. This role will be crucial in supporting the Chief Operating Officer and Executive team to deliver strategic plans over the next five years and beyond.
This role will give you the opportunity to build strong relationships across the organisation and provide outstanding customer service to various stakeholders.

Given the relative size of the organisation, this is a broad role, encompassing many different aspects of Finance and therefore will provide an amazing opportunity for the right candidate to progress to the next stage of their career.

Role responsibilities:
Key elements of the role include:

• Leading on the annual budgeting and forecasting cycles, including multi-year forecasts and financial models in line with the organisation’s strategic goals.
• Enabling budget holders, through business partnering and training, to manage their own budgets effectively.
• Developing The Access Project’s financial strategy and associated KPIs.
• Working closely with the Sales and Partnerships team to ensure the accuracy of the in-year fundraising pipeline and future income projections.
• Supporting the Sales and Partnerships team with financial information for funding applications.
• Providing ongoing training and support to users of Xledger (accounting software).

Financial Control and Reporting:
Responsibilities include:

• Producing high-quality monthly management accounts with insightful commentary.
• Successfully managing the month-end process.
• Maintaining, developing and automating all aspects of sound financial controls.
• Leading the annual audit successfully.
• Managing the monthly payroll process and related financial controls.
• Ensuring The Access Project fulfills its obligations in relation to tax and other regulatory requirements.

Treasury management:
Responsibilities include:

• Managing rolling 12-month cash flow successfully.
• Analyzing monthly movements on short-term deposits.
• Managing the organisation’s portfolio in line with its investment policy.

Other responsibilities:

• Providing cover for the Senior Finance and Operations Coordinator, and Chief Operating Officer, as required.
• Undertaking other tasks and ad-hoc projects as requested.

Person specification:
Candidates should possess:

• A professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA/ACCA/CIMA).
• Substantial and relevant experience within the not-for-profit sector.
• Strong understanding of Charities SORP (FRS102).
• Excellent communication skills.
• Outstanding attention to detail.
• Flexibility and ability to work as part of a team.
• A commitment to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
• A commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.

Skills and experience:
Candidates should have:

• Demonstrable business partnering experience.
• Strong financial control, management accounting and reporting experience.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Advanced Excel skills.
• Experience of using a range of accounting software (Xledger desirable).

About the organisation:
The Access Project is committed to reducing educational barriers and improving social mobility through support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. For more information about our mission and values, please visit our website: .

Benefits:

• 25 days annual leave p.a. (pro rata).
• PerkBox discounts.
• Employee Assistance Programme.
• Interest-free travelcard loans.
• 3 paid Volunteering Days.
• Employer’s pension contributions (3%).

Contact information:
Please direct any queries to our email: .

Safeguarding Statement:
The Access Project is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.

Equal Opportunities Statement:
The Access Project aspires to represent the diversity of communities across the UK and welcomes applications from people from all backgrounds.

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