Finance Manager in Stroud

This is a newly created position, designed to lead day to day finance across our group of social enterprises. You will own the month-end process, produce consolidated management accounts, and act as the day-to-day finance lead for the board and entity managers freeing the part-time FD to focus on strategy, governance, and board level matters.

The role requires someone who is as comfortable talking through a cash flow shortfall with a business manager as they are closing a month-end or building a consolidated report. Strong technical skills matter, but so does the ability to communicate clearly, build trust with non-finance colleagues, and work autonomously in a fast-moving environment.

This is a varied, autonomous role at the heart of a genuinely purposeful organisation. You will work closely with a part-time Finance Director, a small finance team, and directly with entity managers across the group.

Your key responsibilities will be:

• Finance & Reporting
  • Own the month-end close process across all 16 entities, working with the bookkeeping team to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
  • Prepare consolidated monthly management accounts for review by the FD and circulation to the relevant boards.
  • Maintain and develop cash flow reporting across the group.
  • Produce clear, concise financial analysis and commentary to support decision-making.
  • Support the FD in preparing quarterly board packs and year-end reporting.
  • Oversee the integrity of Xero accounts, ensuring consistent coding and processes.
• Operations & Stakeholder Management
  • Act as the primary day-to-day finance contact for the Leadership Team handling ad hoc requests and queries.
  • Conduct regular cash flow review meetings with entity managers, providing financial insight and challenge.
  • Improve consistency and quality of financial reporting across the group.
  • Work with entity managers to ensure timely, accurate monthly information feeds into the group reporting cycle.
  • Resolve day-to-day finance queries independently, escalating to the FD only where it is needed.
• Team & Development
  • Support and develop the Management Accountant, helping them grow into a broader finance support role.
  • Work alongside the Purchase Ledger Bookkeeper to ensure smooth supplier payment processes.
  • Contribute to ongoing improvements in systems, reporting, and ways of working.

Who you are

Essential:

• Solid experience in a management accounts or finance operations role, ideally in a multi-entity, group, or multi-site environment.
• AAT qualified or ACCA/CIMA part-qualified (or qualified by experience with a strong track record).
• Confident user of Xero or similar cloud accounting software.
• Excellent communicator able to translate financial information for non-finance audiences.
• Organised and analytically minded, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and deadlines simultaneously.
• Comfortable working autonomously and making decisions without constant senior oversight.
• Genuine interest in social enterprise, community organisations, or the third sector.

Desirable:

• Experience working across multiple Xero accounts or entities.
• Familiarity with charity or social enterprise reporting requirements.
• Experience line managing or developing junior finance staff.
• Background in a similarly complex, stakeholder-rich environment.

What we offer

• A genuinely meaningful role at the centre of our network, blending business and purpose to deliver lasting community impact.
• Real autonomy and scope - this is not a back-office role; you will have visibility and influence across the whole group.
• A supportive and experienced part-time FD who will invest in your development.
• The opportunity to shape a newly created role and build processes that will last.