At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and ensure robust day-to-day operations for a charity making a difference.
- Company: Join School-Home Support, dedicated to getting children back in school and ready to learn.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, pension scheme, and employee assistance programme.
- Other info: Hybrid working model with a supportive team environment and opportunities for professional development.
- Why this job: Make a meaningful impact on the lives of children and families while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with senior charity finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 62500 £ per year.
Location: Hybrid, a mixture of remote working and office-based at Solar House, 3rd Floor, 1-9 Romford Rd, London, E15 4LJ.
Hours: 3 or 4 days a week, negotiable
Salary: Up to £62,500 (pro rata)
Our mission at School-Home Support is simple. We get children and young people back in school, ready to learn, whatever it takes. Every role in our organisation helps make that happen. We are looking for a Head of Finance to act as our financial conscience and strategic navigator. As the Head of Finance, you will provide strategic financial leadership while ensuring our day-to-day operations are exceptionally robust. You will report directly to the Chief Executive Officer, line-manage a Senior Finance Manager, as well as work closely with our Board of Trustees. In this role, you will be expected to serve as the organisation's financial conscience, ensuring absolute transparency, integrity, and strict adherence to UK fundraising regulations. Looking ahead, you will also play a key role in analysing commercial opportunities to drive new business growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Stewardship: Manage general ledgers, reserves, budgeting, and long-term financial modelling.
- Governance & Trustees: Work closely with the Board, Finance Committee, and Remuneration Committee.
- Compliance & Legal: Ensure complete adherence to HMRC, Charity Commission, and Charities SORP requirements.
- Risk Management: Maintain and update the Risk Register to protect charity assets.
- New Business & Commercial Growth: Provide costings and commercial modelling for new tenders and products.
- Team Leadership: Oversee the internal finance team and third-party payroll providers.
About You
- Qualifications: You are a fully qualified CCAB or CIMA accountant with extensive post-qualification experience.
- Sector Knowledge: You have a proven track record in a senior charity finance role managing statutory accounts over full year cycles.
- Regulatory Expertise: You fully understand UK fundraising regulations, charity governance, and company law.
- Commercial Mindset: You can confidently support non-finance departments with commercial analysis to secure new contracts.
- Systems Experience: Experience with Sage and Salesforce is highly desirable.
What We Offer
- Employee Assistance Programme, providing confidential support for you and your family
- Life assurance for added financial security
- Pension scheme
- A structured induction and ongoing professional development
- A supportive and collaborative team environment where your experience and ideas are valued
- The opportunity to make a meaningful difference to the lives of children, young people and families
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all sections of the community. Please email or call the People team on 020 7426 5000 if you need any special arrangements or adjustments to help you take part in this recruitment process. School-Home Support takes the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of children very seriously, and is committed to ensuring that our safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice. Our safeguarding policy recognises that the welfare and interests of children are paramount in all circumstances. All roles at SHS are subject to a DBS check at the level appropriate to the role.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like School-Home Support. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to School-Home Support.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on School-Home Support's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at School-Home Support
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with School-Home Support.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at School-Home Support will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former School-Home Support employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
