Interim Head of Finance - Merseyside in Knowsley

Location: Prescot, Merseyside

Charity People are working with a £5million turnover organisation helping them to bring on board an experienced Interim Head of Finance. This is a 6 months contract role (due to current Head of Finance retiring) where you will be part of the organisation's Senior Leadership Team and provide critical financial leadership during a period of transition. This role is central to ensuring they continue to deliver the highest standard of care by maintaining strong financial stewardship, robust governance and clear strategic insight. Working with a forward‑thinking and inspiring COO, you will be managing a team of two.

As a key advisor to the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and Trading Company Directors, you will lead financial planning, oversee reporting and ensure full compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Salary: £54,000 - £59,000 per annum

Hybrid: one to two days a week, office based

Duties and responsibilities:

• Deliver accurate and timely financial accounts, management information, cashflow analysis and statutory reporting, ensuring full compliance with charity and financial regulations.
• Lead the financial planning cycle, including annual budgets, monthly reporting and long‑term (5‑year) financial forecasting to support strategic decision‑making.
• Provide expert financial advice to the Executive Leadership Team, Trustees and Trading Company Directors, including guidance on charity legislation, VAT, tax and regulatory obligations.
• Lead, support and develop the Finance Team, ensuring effective performance, high‑quality outputs and a strong culture of continuous improvement.
• Oversee payroll, banking relationships, external audits, investment monitoring and financial controls to maintain financial integrity and operational reliability.
• Partner with budget holders across the organisation to analyse income and expenditure, identify risks and opportunities and support the development of robust business cases.

Person Specification:

• CCAB recognised finance qualifications (ACA, CIMA, ACCA, CIPFA) with strong experience working in the charity sector.
• Very strong on Charity SORP.
• Significant experience operating at senior finance level, ideally within a charity, hospice, healthcare or similarly regulated environment.
• Proven experience in financial planning, management accounting, statutory reporting and presenting financial information to boards or senior stakeholders.
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills, with the ability to inspire, develop and support finance staff.
• Excellent knowledge of charity finance regulations, VAT, payroll, taxation and financial governance requirements.
• Highly analytical, proactive and solutions‑focused, with outstanding communication skills and the ability to influence at all levels.

Interviews w/c 23rd February, 2026. Due to the nature of this role, the client may close the role before 18th February, 2026. If you have charity experience, are available immediately and able to do this role, please apply as soon as possible with a copy of your CV.

Charity People is a forward thinking, inclusive organisation that actively and deliberately promotes equity, diversity and inclusion. We know organisations thrive when inclusion is at the forefront. We evidence our commitment by matching charity needs with the skills and experience of candidates irrespective of background e.g. age, disability (including hidden disabilities), gender, gender identity or gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, or sexual orientation. We do this because we believe that greater diversity leads to greater results for the charities we work with.