At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and support nature conservation through effective financial management.
- Company: Join Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, a charity dedicated to environmental recovery.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, 25 days annual leave, and time off during Christmas.
- Other info: Flexible working hours and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on conservation while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Hands-on finance experience, ideally in charity, with strong attention to detail.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 38000 £ per year.
Salary: £36,000 - £38,000
Full time (35 hrs), part time considered at 0.8FTE
Contract type: Permanent
Location: Robinswood Hill Country Park, Reservoir Road, Gloucester, GL46SX
Join Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust (GWT) and use your finance skills to support nature’s recovery across Gloucestershire. We’re looking for an experienced Finance Manager / Financial Accountant to lead the day‑to‑day running of our finance function. This is a hands‑on role overseeing transactional finance and payroll, strengthening financial controls, and improving board reporting — with line management responsibility for two Finance Officers. If you enjoy bringing order, clarity and momentum to finance operations — and want your work to directly support conservation impact — we’d love to hear from you.
What you’ll be doing:
- Overseeing day‑to‑day finance operations (AP/AR, credit control, banking, journals, payment runs, month‑end routines)
- Owning and maintaining cashflow forecasts (weekly/monthly), highlighting risks and actions early
- Overseeing payroll end‑to‑end, including reconciliations, pensions, HMRC compliance and year‑end tasks
- Leading monthly close and key balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring an audit‑ready trail
- Maintaining and improving board reporting packs with strong version control and reconciliation to source data
- Supporting good restricted/unrestricted fund controls and applying charity finance compliance in routine reporting
- Working confidently with finance systems and improving processes, templates and documentation (including Xledger and Access CRM)
- Line‑managing and coaching two Finance Officers, ensuring deadlines and quality standards are consistently met
What we’re looking for:
- Significant hands‑on finance experience with charity experience essential
- Strong experience in cashflow forecasting
- Experience building/improving board reporting packs and senior‑level reporting
- Payroll oversight experience (processing, pensions, HMRC, reconciliations)
- Excellent attention to detail, deadline management, and people skills
- Confidence picking up and working with less familiar systems (e.g., Xledger, Access CRM)
- Qualified‑by‑experience welcome (degree not required)
- Payroll qualification (e.g., CIPP Foundation/Practitioner or equivalent)
- VAT experience, ideally including Partial Exemption
- Experience in a multi‑entity environment (e.g., charity + trading subsidiary)
- AAT/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA part‑qualified or qualified
Contract and benefits:
- Full‑time or part‑time (28 hours) considered
- 25 days annual leave (pro rata for part‑time)
- We are closed between Christmas and New Year, giving additional time off during this period
If you’re motivated by strong processes, great teamwork, and purpose‑led work, we’d love to hear from you. Closing date for applications is 13th March, interview w/c 23rd March.
Finance Manager / Financial Accountant (Charity) employer: Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
At Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values the contributions of our team members in making a real difference to nature conservation. Located in the beautiful Robinswood Hill Country Park, we offer a supportive work culture with opportunities for professional growth, competitive benefits including generous annual leave, and a commitment to work-life balance. Join us to leverage your finance expertise in a meaningful role that directly supports our mission to protect and restore wildlife across Gloucestershire.
Contact Details:
Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager / Financial Accountant (Charity)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the charity sector, especially those who work in finance. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching GWT and their financial operations. Show us you’re not just another candidate; demonstrate how your skills can directly support their mission of nature recovery.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your answers to common finance interview questions. We want to see your hands-on experience shine through, so be ready to discuss your past roles and how they relate to the Finance Manager position.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, it shows us you’re genuinely interested in joining our team at GWT.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager / Financial Accountant (Charity)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your hands-on finance experience, especially in charity settings, and don’t forget to showcase your cashflow forecasting skills!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about supporting nature’s recovery and how your finance expertise can contribute to GWT's mission. Keep it engaging and relevant!
Showcase Your Attention to Detail:In finance, details matter! When filling out your application, double-check for any typos or errors. This not only shows your attention to detail but also reflects your professionalism.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts
✨Know Your Numbers
Brush up on your financial knowledge, especially around cashflow forecasting and payroll processes. Be ready to discuss specific examples from your past experience that demonstrate your expertise in these areas.
✨Showcase Your Charity Experience
Since this role is with a charity, highlight any relevant experience you have in the sector. Talk about how your finance skills can directly support conservation efforts and the mission of the organisation.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills, especially in managing financial controls and reporting. Prepare scenarios where you've successfully improved processes or handled challenges in finance operations.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As you'll be line-managing two Finance Officers, be prepared to discuss your management style. Share examples of how you've coached team members and ensured quality standards are met in previous roles.
