At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial planning and analysis to support strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join Anna Freud, a leading mental health charity transforming lives.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and organisational impact.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in mental health while shaping financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial analysis and business partnering skills.
Is this the role you are looking for? If so, read on for more details, and make sure to apply today.
Salary: £60,000
Contract: Permanent, full-time
Hybrid working: 1 day per week in the office
Location: Central London (office near Kings Cross and Angel)
Anna Freud is a world-leading mental health charity for children, young people and their families. For over 70 years, we have been transforming understanding, practice and outcomes in mental health to help create a more compassionate society and close the gap between mental illness and mental wellness.
We are at a pivotal moment in strengthening our financial insight, modelling capability and business partnering approach. As we continue to grow our impact, we are looking for a talented and driven finance professional to play a key role in shaping financial decision-making across the organisation. This is an exceptional opportunity for a qualified accountant to step into a highly visible and strategic role, partnering with senior stakeholders to deliver insight that supports both operational performance and long-term sustainability.
About the Role
Reporting to the Head of Finance, the Senior Finance Business Partner will play a central role in delivering high-quality financial planning, modelling and analysis across the charity. You will lead on budgeting, forecasting and management reporting, while developing sophisticated financial models including scenario planning, cost recovery approaches and long-term income and expenditure projections to support strategic decision-making.
Working closely with senior leaders and budget holders, you will provide clear, insightful analysis and act as a trusted advisor, helping teams to understand their financial performance and make informed, evidence-based decisions. This role combines technical expertise, commercial insight and strong stakeholder engagement, with a clear focus on continuous improvement and organisational impact.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Planning & Analysis
- Lead the development of robust financial models, including multi-year forecasting and scenario planning
- Provide insight into financial performance through detailed analysis of income, expenditure, margins and cost ratios
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Own and continuously improve the annual budgeting and reforecasting processes
- Ensure budget holders are supported, accountable and aligned to organisational strategy
- Business Partnering
- Build strong, collaborative relationships across departments, acting as a trusted advisor and “critical friend”
- Support non-finance stakeholders to understand and use financial data effectively
- Continuous Improvement & Systems
- Enhance financial processes, systems and reporting tools to improve efficiency and insight
- Support the development of dashboards and data visualisation to improve decision-making
- Contribute to ongoing improvements in financial governance and controls
About You
We are looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) who has an understanding of charity finance, with strong financial analysis and business partnering experience. You will bring:
- Proven expertise in budgeting, forecasting and management reporting
- Strong financial modelling and analytical skills, with advanced Excel capability
- The ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insight
- Confidence working with and influencing senior stakeholders
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset with a passion for continuous improvement
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage non-financial audiences effectively
Senior Finance Business Partner employer: ANNA FREUD
At Anna Freud, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment. Our Central London location offers the unique advantage of being at the heart of a vibrant community focused on mental health, while our hybrid working model promotes a healthy work-life balance. We are committed to employee growth, providing opportunities for professional development and collaboration with senior leaders, ensuring that every team member can contribute meaningfully to our mission of transforming mental health outcomes for children and families.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in charity finance. A friendly chat can lead to valuable insights and even job leads.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial modelling skills. Be ready to discuss how you've used these skills in past roles, especially in budgeting and forecasting. Show them you’re the go-to person for financial insight!
✨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! We make it easy for you to showcase your skills and experience directly to us. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in being part of our mission at Anna Freud.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Senior Finance Business Partner role. Highlight your financial modelling, budgeting, and forecasting expertise, as well as any experience in charity finance. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about mental health and how your background makes you a perfect fit for this role. Be sure to mention your ability to engage with senior stakeholders and provide actionable insights.
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:In your application, don’t shy away from showcasing your analytical prowess. Provide examples of how you've used financial data to drive decision-making in previous roles. We love seeing candidates who can turn numbers into narratives that support strategic goals!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the details you need about the role and our organisation there!
How to prepare for a job interview at ANNA FREUD
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Senior Finance Business Partner, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the charity sector, such as income, expenditure, and cost ratios. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive decision-making.
✨Showcase Your Stakeholder Skills
This role requires strong collaboration with senior leaders and budget holders. Prepare examples of how you've built relationships and acted as a trusted advisor in previous positions. Highlight your ability to communicate complex financial data in a way that non-financial stakeholders can easily understand.
✨Demonstrate Continuous Improvement Mindset
The charity is looking for someone who is proactive about enhancing financial processes. Think of specific instances where you've improved budgeting or forecasting processes in your past roles. Be ready to share your ideas on how you could bring this mindset to Anna Freud.
✨Prepare for Scenario Planning Questions
Given the emphasis on financial modelling and scenario planning, expect questions that test your analytical skills. Prepare to discuss how you've developed financial models in the past, including any challenges you faced and how you overcame them. This will show your capability in delivering high-quality financial insights.
