At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance strategy, budgeting, and reporting for a community-focused charity.
- Company: Join an established charity making a real difference in the community.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and the chance to shape finance operations.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and collaboration with a dynamic leadership team.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative journey and influence financial sustainability in a purpose-led organisation.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial management and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Initially predominantly office-based, with greater flexibility once established. Are you a qualified finance leader who enjoys improving things, developing people and having the freedom to shape a finance function? Charity Recruit is partnering with an established, community-focused charity to appoint an experienced Head of Finance at an important point in its development. This is much more than a reporting role. The organisation is going through a period of positive change, with new leadership appointments and a genuine opportunity for the incoming Head of Finance to influence how the finance function develops.
Some of the groundwork has already begun. An experienced interim has identified key areas for improvement, introduced positive change and built a strong relationship with the existing finance team. You’ll therefore inherit good foundations and an initial plan – but importantly, you’ll have the autonomy to assess what’s working, challenge what isn’t and shape the next phase yourself.
The opportunity
As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, you’ll be the organisation’s senior finance specialist, working closely with the Executive Leadership Team, Board of Trustees and Directors of its Trading Company. You’ll need to be equally comfortable discussing long-term financial sustainability with senior stakeholders and getting close enough to the detail to understand what needs improving operationally. You’ll lead annual budgeting and five-year financial forecasting, providing the insight senior leaders and trustees need to make informed decisions about future priorities and financial sustainability.
You’ll take ownership of timely and accurate management accounts, with an ambition to deliver these within 10 working days of month end, alongside cash-flow forecasting, analysis of income and expenditure and clear reporting on liquidity. You’ll also work directly with budget holders, helping non-finance colleagues understand their numbers, identify opportunities and take greater ownership of financial performance.
A broad finance leadership remit
Alongside planning and reporting, you’ll oversee the organisation’s wider financial infrastructure and statutory responsibilities. This includes annual financial statements, financial controls, assets and liabilities, debtors and creditors, VAT, Corporation Tax and other statutory returns. You’ll oversee an accurate monthly payroll service and relationships with external auditors, accountants, banks, advisers, HMRC, the Charity Commission, Companies House and other professional and regulatory bodies. There is also exposure to investment reporting, business cases and providing financial advice across the organisation. Fundamentally, this role is about making financial information useful – translating the numbers into clear insight that helps people make better decisions.
Leading people through change
The people element of this appointment is just as important as the technical remit. The finance team has experienced change, and the organisation wants a leader who understands that successful transformation is about bringing people with you. You’ll need the confidence to improve systems, controls and ways of working, but also the emotional intelligence to listen, understand why things have historically been done a certain way and recognise what already works. This isn’t about arriving with a predetermined transformation blueprint. There are identified priorities and an initial implementation plan, but the organisation genuinely wants its new Head of Finance to have a voice. You’ll be encouraged to bring your own ideas and influence the direction of travel.
Why join now?
The timing makes this a particularly interesting opportunity. You’ll be joining as the organisation develops its wider leadership team, giving you the chance to build relationships with other leaders bringing fresh perspectives and help shape how the senior team works together. There is also continuity. An experienced interim remains in place and has developed an excellent relationship with the finance team, creating a strong platform for the permanent appointee to build upon. Initially, the role will require a significant office presence. Building relationships with the team and wider organisation is important. Once established, there will be greater scope for flexibility.
Who are we looking for?
You’ll be a qualified accountant with substantial financial management experience and the credibility to operate at senior leadership and Board level. You’ll bring strong experience across budgeting and forecasting, management accounts, cash-flow management, statutory reporting, financial controls and systems, alongside experience of leading and developing a finance team. Experience within a charity, healthcare or similarly regulated environment would be particularly valuable, as would knowledge of charity SORP and experience of implementing change.
Technical competence, however, is only part of what we’re looking for. You’ll be approachable, pragmatic and collaborative – someone who can challenge constructively, communicate complex financial information simply and build trusted relationships with finance and non-finance colleagues alike. You’ll be strategic without becoming removed from the detail, confident without being overly corporate, and ambitious about improving the function while respecting the people already within it. Above all, this is an opportunity for someone who wants to use their financial expertise within a purpose-led organisation where their contribution will genuinely matter.
About Charity Recruit
Charity Recruit is a specialist recruitment partner dedicated to the UK charity and not-for-profit sector. We recruit leadership and senior management professionals for purpose-led organisations across the UK, combining specialist sector knowledge with proactive search and an extensive professional network. We believe successful charity recruitment goes beyond matching a CV to a job description. We take the time to understand an organisation’s purpose, culture and ambitions, alongside the leadership style and values needed to succeed. If this sounds like the kind of challenge you’ve been looking for, apply today or contact Emily Formby at Charity Recruit for a confidential discussion.
Head of Finance in Prescot employer: Charity Recruit Careers
Join a community-focused charity in Merseyside as the Head of Finance, where you will have the unique opportunity to shape the finance function during a period of positive change. With a strong emphasis on employee development and collaboration, this role offers a supportive work culture that values your insights and encourages innovative thinking. Enjoy the benefits of flexible working arrangements once established, alongside the chance to make a meaningful impact in a purpose-led organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in Prescot
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Charity Recruit Careers. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Charity Recruit Careers.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Charity Recruit Careers. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance in Prescot
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Charity Recruit Careers and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Charity Recruit Careers how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Charity Recruit Careers
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Charity Recruit Careers.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Charity Recruit Careers's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
