At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance team, manage budgets, and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
- Company: Join a dynamic charity in Bristol with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, pension scheme, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Fast-paced role with opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your financial management skills.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with at least seven years of experience.
The predicted salary is between 50285 - 50285 £ per year.
Location: Bristol office, hybrid (minimum three days a week onsite)
Salary: £50,285 per annum
Job Type: Fixed term maternity cover, approximately 15 months. Minimum 30 hours a week, up to full time (37.5 hours)
The role:
This role covers the current post-holder's maternity leave for an anticipated 15 months. As Financial Controller you will lead CSE's finance team, directing and overseeing the finance function in compliance with appropriate accounting standards and practices, company and charity law.
You will provide timely, accurate financial and management information to support strategic decision-making and effective budgetary control by our Senior Leadership Team, Trustees, project managers and other budget holders. You will line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant and be a member of CSE's Senior Management Team.
Reporting to the Director of Finance and Operations, you will work alongside the wider Operations Team to provide operational support that underpins delivery of our charitable mission. This is a fast-paced role and we need someone who can get up to speed with minimal delay.
Specific responsibilities:
- Take responsibility for day-to-day accounting, invoicing, payroll, VAT returns, payments and banking, credit control and cash management, including timely monthly management accounts.
- Line manage the Finance Manager and Finance Assistant.
- Co-ordinate the annual budget cycle and mid-year budget refresh alongside the Director of Finance & Operations and SLT.
- Attend monthly SMT meetings to share the previous month's financial results and handle related queries.
- Prepare accurate, accessible reports on organisational, team, staff and project financial indicators to support timely decision-making.
- Maintain the organisation's financial records to appropriate accounting standards and prepare documentation for the annual audit and other statutory reporting.
- Liaise with CSE's auditors to enable an effective and timely annual audit.
- Support project managers to plan and manage project budgets, providing financial data for reporting to clients and funders.
- Provide expertise on financial costing and monitoring approaches for new project funding proposals, reflecting funder requirements.
- Provide finance support to Retrofit West CIC, including financial reporting, statutory obligations and payroll as required.
About you:
Essential attributes for this role include:
- Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or equivalent accountant.
- At least seven years' post-qualification experience, including at least five years in a financial management role.
- Working knowledge of accounting standards, VAT and HMRC regulations in England, including requirements applicable to a UK charity with a trading subsidiary.
- Experience of leading the preparation for an annual audit.
- Experience of preparing routine financial and management information reports for senior executives and staff.
- Experience of using timesheet software to track allocation of staff time to different cost centres.
- High level competence with Sage accounting software and MS Excel.
- Able to analyse, structure and sense-check financial data to produce clear, informative reports, with excellent attention to detail.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proven management skills.
- Self-motivated and organised, able to work with limited supervision and manage conflicting priorities.
Please note, the above is an overview of the skills required for this role.
Benefits:
- You will be entitled to 25 days' paid holiday (plus statutory holidays)
- Company pension scheme with 8% employer and 6% employee contributions
- Subsidised bike purchase and Tech Scheme
- Life Assurance
- Health Cash plan
- Retail discounts
- Discounted breakdown cover and many more.
- We will pay fees and expenses on relevant training courses.
- We are flexible with working hours and will discuss this openly if you are invited to interview.
How to apply:
To apply, submit a CV and cover letter to our Jobs email (available in the candidate pack). Your application should demonstrate your suitability against the criteria in the person specification and job description.
This role requires a basic DBS check. If invited to interview, we will ask for evidence of eligibility to work in the UK.
Financial Controller (Maternity Cover) in Bristol employer: Centre for Sustainable Energy
CSE is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and dynamic work environment in the heart of Bristol. As a Fundraising & Development Intern, you'll benefit from a flexible hybrid working model, comprehensive training opportunities, and a commitment to employee well-being through generous benefits like a company pension scheme and health cash plan. Join us in making a meaningful impact on fuel poverty and climate change while developing your skills in a collaborative and mission-driven team.
Contact Details:
Centre for Sustainable Energy Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller (Maternity Cover) in Bristol
✨Get Involved in Financial Networks
Join local financial associations or forums where you can connect with professionals in financial-controlling. Networking events often lead to temporary positions, as companies look for quick hires when they need extra hands.
✨Showcase Your Skills on Temporary Job Boards
Focus on platforms that specifically cater to temporary roles in finance. Sites like Reed or Totaljobs often list short-term gigs that are perfect for getting your foot in the door, and you can apply directly through our website for roles at Centre for Sustainable Energy.
✨Leverage Your Uni's Career Services
If you're still in university, tap into your career services for internship or temporary job placements. They often have insider info on companies like Centre for Sustainable Energy looking for temporary financial support, and they might help you polish your pitch.
✨Flexible Availability is Key
For temporary positions in financial-controlling, your availability can make a huge difference. Highlight your willingness to start immediately or work irregular hours when speaking to employers. This flexibility can land you that sought-after role!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller (Maternity Cover) in Bristol
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Aces:In the financial controlling game, grades and relevant certifications can make a significant difference. Be sure to highlight your academic achievements, like finance-related coursework and any professional certifications you’ve got on your CV that show you’re clued up in this area. It’s all about demonstrating that you’re not just good at numbers but also know your stuff!
Quantify Your Achievements:When applying for a temporary role in financial controlling, make sure your CV reflects any previous experience with real, measurable outcomes. Use numbers to showcase your past successes, like percentage improvements in budgeting or cost savings you’ve achieved in previous roles. This not only gives us insights into your capabilities but also tells us you're results-driven.
Personalise Your Application:We love seeing applicants who take the time to tailor their applications! In your cover letter, mention why you’re particularly interested in the temporary role with Centre for Sustainable Energy and how your specific skills and experiences align with the job. Show us that you see this role as an opportunity to contribute, even if it's for a short stint!
Flexibility is Key:Since this is a temporary position, make sure to highlight your availability in your application. We’re interested in knowing how soon you can start and if you’re open to working flexible hours. This shows us your eagerness to jump right in and adapt to the dynamic needs of our team at Centre for Sustainable Energy.
How to prepare for a job interview at Centre for Sustainable Energy
✨Get Hands-On with Financial Tools
Being in financial controlling means you’ll likely be working with various software like Excel, Power BI, or even SAP. Make sure you brush up on these tools and prepare to discuss your experience using them. Being able to reference specific projects or analyses where you employed these programs will definitely give you an edge.
✨Prepare for Technical Financial Questions
Expect scenario-based questions where you might need to analyse financial statements or suggest budgetary strategies during the interview. Practising common financial concepts like variance analysis or cost control measures will not only boost your confidence but also prove your suitability for the role.
✨Show Your Flexibility and Adaptability
As this is a temporary position, the interviewers will want to see that you can hit the ground running. Be sure to highlight any previous short-term roles or projects where you successfully adapted to new environments quickly – this will showcase your readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
✨Highlight Your Commitment to Precision
In financial controlling, attention to detail is absolutely crucial. Be ready to provide examples from your past work that demonstrate your ability to spot discrepancies and ensure accuracy in financial reporting. Your precision could be the factor that sets you apart in a temporary role like this one!
