At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the Finance Team and ensure robust financial management for a national charity.
- Company: Join Life, a charity dedicated to supporting individuals through pregnancy challenges.
- Benefits: Generous holiday allowance, flexible working, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Work in a supportive culture that values humanity, solidarity, and community.
- Why this job: Make a real difference while developing your finance career in a values-driven environment.
- Qualifications: ACCA or CIMA qualified with experience in financial management and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 40000 - 42000 £ per year.
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Finance Manager to lead our Finance Team and support the delivery of high-quality financial management across the charity. This is an exciting opportunity for a qualified finance professional who is passionate about making a difference while ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and continuous improvement within a values-driven organisation.
Reporting directly to the Director of Finance, you will play a key role in overseeing the day-to-day running of the finance function, providing meaningful financial information to support decision-making, and contributing to the ongoing development of financial systems, processes, and controls.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead, support and develop the Finance Team
- Prepare monthly management accounts and budget variance reports.
- Reconcile balance sheet and control account items, investigating and resolving discrepancies.
- Analyse income and expenditure, working closely with budget holders to understand variances.
- Assist with annual budget setting and implementation.
- Manage day-to-day financial transactions and cash management using Xero.
- Oversee VAT compliance, including consideration of partial exemption.
- Support annual accounts preparation and liaise with external auditors.
- Identify and implement process improvements, efficiencies and financial controls.
- Assist in the management of the National Office alongside the Estates Manager.
- Review and develop finance policies, procedures and departmental guidance documents.
About You:
- ACCA or CIMA qualified with a minimum of two years' relevant experience.
- Experienced in preparing management accounts, reconciliations and financial analysis.
- Highly organised with excellent attention to detail.
- An effective leader who can motivate, support and develop others.
- Confident communicating financial information clearly to both finance and non-finance colleagues.
- Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.
- Able to work independently, prioritise workloads and meet strict deadlines.
- Committed to continuous improvement and finding more efficient ways of working.
About Life:
Life is a national pregnancy support charity that helps over 60,000 people a year. Through our services, we help people - whoever they are - to meet pregnancy or pregnancy loss with courage and dignity so they can flourish.
Our services include:
- Supported housing and community support
- Counselling and skilled listening
- Free pregnancy tests and baby supplies
Our values:
- Humanity - All people are special and equal
- Solidarity - We're with you and for you
- Community - We're better together
- Charity - Doing good for one another
- Common good - Building a better world
Information about the role:
Salary: £40,000 - £42,000 per annum, depending on experience
Hours: 35 hours per week across 5 days
Location: Leamington Spa - please note a full UK driving licence is required for this role
Benefits:
- Generous holiday allowance, starting at 25 days per year (pro rata for part time hours)
- Birthday Leave (applicable after 1 years service)
- Extra annual leave for long term service
- Company Pension Scheme
- Signed member of the Menopause Workplace Pledge
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Paid mileage for travel outside your base location
- Flexible working arrangements
Safeguarding and Equality:
Life is committed to protecting all staff, volunteers and service users from harm of any kind. Life expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We are committed to ensuring diversity and equality within our organisation by encouraging applications from all backgrounds. All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks. Life takes its obligation to protect the rights of children and vulnerable people very seriously; therefore, the successful candidate for this post will be also subject to extensive background checking, including an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS) which is paid for by the Charity.
Senior Commercial Finance Manager employer: Life 2009
Life is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and engaging work environment for its Outreach Support Workers. With a strong focus on employee development, generous holiday allowances, and the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of women navigating challenging circumstances, Life stands out as a compassionate workplace in Walsall and surrounding areas. Join us to be part of a team that values humanity, solidarity, and community, while providing vital support to those in need.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Commercial Finance Manager
✨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 Life 2009. 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 Life 2009.
✨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 Life 2009. 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 Senior Commercial Finance Manager
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 Life 2009 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 Life 2009 how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Life 2009
✨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 Life 2009.
✨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 Life 2009'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!
