Head of Finance in London

Head of Finance in London

London Full-Time 100000 - 140000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead finance operations and ensure strong financial control across UK and international charity branches.
  • Company: Join a UK-based international charity making a global impact.
  • Benefits: Competitive daily rate, hybrid working, and the chance to lead a dynamic finance team.
  • Why this job: Make a real difference in the charity sector while enhancing your leadership skills.
  • Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience in charities or NGOs.
  • Other info: Opportunity for hands-on leadership in a complex, multi-jurisdictional finance function.

The predicted salary is between 100000 - 140000 £ per year.

Contract: Interim

Location: London - hybrid working (2 days per week in central London office)

Rate: £500 per day (negotiable)

Altum Consulting are proud to be supporting a UK-based international charity with overseas operations to appoint an Interim Head of Finance for a six-month period. This is a senior, hands-on leadership role providing stability, direction, and operational grip across a complex, multi-jurisdictional finance function. The role combines strong financial control, people leadership, and technical oversight, supporting statutory reporting, donor compliance, and international finance operations. The successful candidate will be expected to take ownership and make decisions.

Key Objectives
  • Maintain a strong financial control environment across UK and overseas operations
  • Lead and support the finance team with clarity and confidence
  • Ensure continuity and quality across statutory accounts, audits, and donor reporting
  • Provide clear, reliable financial information to senior leadership and the Board
  • Support the Director of Finance with day-to-day leadership and delivery
Key Responsibilities
  • Provide day-to-day leadership of the finance function, ensuring effective prioritisation and delivery
  • Oversee finance operations across the UK and overseas entities, including branch offices
  • Maintain and strengthen financial controls, policies, and procedures
  • Act as senior finance contact for internal stakeholders across programmes and central teams
  • Forecast and monitor cash flow across the group
  • Oversee banking arrangements and treasury management
  • Lead the preparation of statutory accounts
  • Act as primary liaison with external auditors (overseas entities)
  • Oversee donor audits and ensure compliance with grant agreements
  • Deliver high-quality monthly and quarterly management reporting for senior leadership and the Board
  • Oversee annual budgeting and periodic re-forecasting
  • Support longer-term financial planning
About You

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent) with proven senior finance leadership experience in an international charity or NGO environment.

Essential experience includes:
  • UK Charity SORP and statutory accounts
  • Experience working with US 501(c)(3) organisations, including US statutory and audit requirements
  • Managing audits across multiple jurisdictions
  • Restricted and unrestricted fund accounting
  • Donor reporting and donor audit processes
  • Oversight of finance operations for overseas entities or branches
  • Strong people management experience, including managing managers
  • Ability to operate confidently with senior leadership and Boards
  • Hands-on, delivery-focused approach
Highly desirable
  • Grant-funded, donor-heavy environments
  • Systems improvement or finance transformation experience

If you're interested in this opportunity, please reach out today.

Head of Finance in London employer: Altum Consulting

At Altum Consulting, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, particularly for those in senior finance roles like the Interim Head of Finance. Our hybrid working model allows for a balanced work-life dynamic, while our commitment to professional development ensures that employees have ample opportunities for growth and advancement within the charity sector. With a strong focus on collaboration and support, we foster a culture that values leadership, innovation, and the meaningful impact of our work in the international charity landscape.
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Contact Detail:

Altum Consulting Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in London

✨Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in charities or NGOs. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.

✨Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by researching the organisation thoroughly. Understand their financial operations and challenges, especially in multi-jurisdictional contexts. This will help you showcase how your skills align perfectly with their needs.

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website for the best chance at landing that dream job! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to the hiring team. Plus, it shows you're serious about joining us!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in London

Financial Control
People Leadership
Statutory Reporting
Donor Compliance
International Finance Operations
Cash Flow Forecasting
Treasury Management
Statutory Accounts Preparation
Audit Management
Grant Accounting
Donor Reporting
Budgeting and Forecasting
Financial Planning
Stakeholder Management
Systems Improvement

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Head of Finance role. Highlight your leadership experience in finance, especially in international charity settings, to show us you’re the right fit.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about this role and how your background aligns with our needs. Be specific about your experience with financial controls and donor compliance.

Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; tell us about your achievements! Use numbers and examples to demonstrate how you’ve improved financial processes or led successful audits in previous roles.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss any important updates from us during the process!

How to prepare for a job interview at Altum Consulting

✨Know Your Numbers

As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've maintained strong financial controls in previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your experience with statutory accounts and donor compliance.

✨Show Leadership Skills

This role requires strong people management abilities. Think about times when you’ve led a team through challenges or changes. Be prepared to share specific examples of how you’ve supported and developed your finance team, ensuring clarity and confidence in your leadership style.

✨Understand the Charity Sector

Familiarise yourself with the UK Charity SORP and any relevant regulations. Be ready to discuss your experience with grant-funded environments and how you’ve navigated audits across multiple jurisdictions. This will show your understanding of the unique challenges faced by charities.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and decision-making abilities. Think of scenarios where you had to forecast cash flow or manage banking arrangements under pressure. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.

Head of Finance in London
Altum Consulting
Location: London

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