At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial controls and process improvements to support vulnerable children's futures.
- Company: Join Action for Children, a passionate organisation dedicated to making a difference.
- Benefits: Enjoy 29 days leave, professional development, and discounts at 15,000 retailers.
- Other info: Remote work with travel opportunities and a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with experience in public sector finance and project management.
The predicted salary is between 68000 - 68000 £ per year.
Salary: £68,000 per annum.
Location: Remote, with some regular travel (including to central office in Watford).
Contract: Fixed Term Contract for 12 months, 35 hours per week.
Benefits: 29 days annual leave PLUS bank holidays pro rata, with up to 5 additional days for continuous service and option to buy or sell leave. Gain professional qualifications and excellent training/development opportunities. Flexible maternity, adoption, and paternity packages. Pension with up to 7% employer contribution with included life assurance cover. Staff discount portal and Blue Light Card eligibility with 15,000 national retailer's discounts.
A bit about the role: As Senior Financial Controls & Process Improvement Manager, you will utilise a professional technical accountancy approach to enable the development and application of a robust controls’ environment across Action for Children (particularly, Finance & Procurement), including the review and enhancement of policy and process, using lean methodology to identify and eliminate waste and create efficiencies. As a senior member of the Finance department, you will provide an important contribution to ensuring the department delivers its objectives in support of Action for Children’s mission.
You will help to create brighter futures by:
- Providing professional and technical direction across the full range of financial and other services.
- Using technical accounting expertise to manage and implement change programmes.
- Fully reviewing current processes within the wider finance teams.
- Ensuring that controls are in place to enable a clean year end statutory reporting process and to partner with our Internal Auditors to support the implementation of their recommendations.
- Working closely with the Senior Business Partners and Procurement Manager to identify and understand different working practices.
- Proactively overseeing the Balance Sheet reconciliation process.
- Being the crucial point of contact regarding VAT treatment, working with external VAT advisors.
- Producing reports for board, committees, and management teams.
Let's talk about you: Qualified Accountant or equivalent qualification with demonstrable technical proficiency. Experience of working with the public sector or in an organisation that provides delivery contracts to its customers. Experience working with a new system implementation, preferably Oracle and streamlining new processes around system. Working at senior level and partnered with senior stakeholders. Demonstrable understanding and application of EDI policies in the workplace. Demonstrable application of Project Management skills. Demonstrable interpersonal skills sufficient to build relationships and to communicate complex technical financial matters to a range of stakeholders.
Please see the Job Description for the full list of accountabilities and requirements.
Contact: email us at recruitmentservice@actionforchildren.org.uk quoting reference 13586. Please note we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role.
Diversity, equality, and inclusion: At Action for Children, we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace. We actively encourage applications from Black, Asian & Minority Ethnic, and disabled candidates as they are under-represented within Action for Children. We want to take deliberate and purposeful action to ensure equal opportunity to all groups in society and for Action for Children.
Closing Date: Monday 31st August 2026. Interviews will be week commencing 7th September 2026.
Senior Financial Controls & Process Improvements Manager in Watford employer: Action for Children
Action for Children is an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment in Wirral. With flexible part-time hours, employees benefit from a strong emphasis on professional development and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and young people. Our collaborative culture encourages innovation and personal growth, making it a rewarding place to work for those passionate about emotional wellbeing.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Controls & Process Improvements Manager in Watford
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
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We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Controls & Process Improvements Manager in Watford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Action for Children will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Action for Children. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Action for Children confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Action for Children
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Action for Children.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Action for Children that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
