At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling while providing insightful analysis to stakeholders.
- Company: Anna Freud is a leading mental health charity focused on children and families for over 70 years.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working with one day per week in the office located in Central London.
- Other info: The office is conveniently located near Kings Cross and Angel.
- Why this job: This role offers a strategic opportunity to influence financial decision-making across the organisation.
- Qualifications: Candidates must be qualified accountants (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with charity finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 59576 - 70089 £ per year.
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
- 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
- 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
Join Anna Freud, a prominent mental health charity in Central London, dedicated to improving outcomes for children. Enjoy benefits like hybrid working and contribute to impactful financial strategies within a passionate team focused on continuous improvement.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Finance Business Partner
✨Get Involved Locally
Dive into local volunteer opportunities or social initiatives. This not only beefs up your CV but also connects you with like-minded folks in nonprofits. Plus, it shows your passion for social impact, which is key for getting noticed by ANNA FREUD.
✨Tap into Professional Networks
Join networks like the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) or local charities to meet professionals in the sector. Attend events and workshops to build relationships and learn about potential openings at organisations like ANNA FREUD.
✨Showcase Your Commitment
When prepping for interviews, be ready to speak about your personal connection to social issues. Dive into specific examples of how you’ve contributed to community projects – this will resonate with the mission-driven vibe at ANNA FREUD.
✨Utilise Online Platforms
We’re all about making connections, so use platforms like Idealist and CharityJob to hunt for full-time roles. And of course, you should keep an eye on our website for exciting opportunities at ANNA FREUD. Apply directly through us to stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Finance Business Partner
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for the Cause:In the nonprofit sector, it's super important to demonstrate genuine passion for the mission of ANNA FREUD. Use your cover letter to showcase any personal experiences or volunteer work that connects you to their social impact initiatives. This emotional connection can really help your application stand out.
Highlight Relevant Experience:When crafting your CV, be sure to include any relevant projects or roles that showcase your skills in social impact. Whether it's community organising, fundraising, or advocacy, highlight what you've done and the difference it's made. Don’t just list tasks; quantify your achievements and the outcomes of your efforts.
Tailor Your Documents to the Role:For a full-time role like Senior Finance Business Partner, ensure your CV and cover letter specifically address the responsibilities outlined in the job description. Use their language to describe your skills and experience, making it easy for the hiring team to see how you fit into their vision.
Emphasise Teamwork and Collaboration:Nonprofits thrive on teamwork, so make sure to emphasise your collaborative experiences. Whether you've worked in a team setting, partnered with community organisations, or facilitated group projects, highlight these experiences in your application. Show them you understand the importance of working alongside diverse individuals to achieve shared goals.
How to prepare for a job interview at ANNA FREUD
✨Show Your Passion for Social Change
When we’re prepping for interviews in the nonprofit space, it's vital to demonstrate our genuine passion for social impact. Be ready to discuss not just your skills and experiences but also why you care about the mission of ANNA FREUD. Sharing personal stories or insights can really make us stand out.
✨Highlight Project Experience
We should focus on specific projects we've worked on that align with the goals of social impact. Whether that’s a community initiative, volunteering, or a class project, having solid examples that showcase our role and the outcomes will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Familiarity with Relevant Tools and Practices
Let’s brush up on tools and methodologies commonly used in the nonprofit sector, like project management software or outcome measurement frameworks. Being able to speak fluently about these will show that we’re not just passionate but also knowledgeable and ready to hit the ground running.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that evaluate our problem-solving skills in real-world social issues. Think about how we’d handle challenges in the nonprofit environment and prepare stories that demonstrate our critical thinking and adaptability. Role-playing with a friend could help us feel more confident!
