At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance team and ensure top-notch financial control and reporting.
- Company: Join the Royal Collection Trust, caring for a world-renowned art collection.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25-30 days annual leave, plus a generous benefits package.
- Other info: Based at Buckingham Palace with opportunities for travel and team development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on preserving an extraordinary national collection.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
The Royal Collection Trust cares for one of the largest and most important art collections in the world.
Held in trust by His Majesty The King for his successors and the nation, it operates without recourse to public funds, reinvesting income from visitors and commercial activity into conserving the Collection (comprising of more than a million objects), and extending public access across Royal residences and galleries in the UK and through loans and exhibitions worldwide.
As Head of Finance, you’ll lead the finance function, helping to deliver Royal Collection’s strategy by ensuring the highest standards of financial control, reporting and strategic support across the organisation.
Key Responsibilities Leading the Royal Collection Trust finance team, you’ll oversee the delivery of a full range of financial and management accounting services.
Supporting the Chief Finance Officer, you’ll play a key role in shaping and delivering financial strategy, overseeing the annual budgeting process and ensuring robust financial planning and forecasting.
You’ll take ownership of the annual accounts process across both the charity and its trading subsidiary, managing relationships with auditors and ensuring compliance with all relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
Overseeing monthly management accounts and commercial reporting, you’ll ensure stakeholders have clear, accurate and timely insight to support decision‑making across admissions, retail and wider operations.
With responsibility for taxation, treasury and financial controls, you’ll ensure strong governance across VAT, corporation tax and cashflow management.
Working closely with senior stakeholders across Royal Collection Trust and the wider Royal Household, you’ll provide strategic financial advice, building strong business‑partnering relationships.
You’ll lead, motivate and develop your team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement and high performance.
And in all you do, you’ll help ensure that income generated supports the care, conservation and public enjoyment of an extraordinary national collection.
The role is principally based at Buckingham Palace, with occasional travel to other Royal Collection Trust locations, including Windsor and Edinburgh.
About you Essential Criteria A qualified accountant (CCAB), you bring strong technical expertise across financial reporting, audit and accounting standards, including FRS102 and the Charities SORP.
With significant experience in financial leadership roles, you’re confident overseeing the budgeting cycle, forecasts and management reporting in a complex organisation.
You’re an excellent communicator, able to influence and engage stakeholders at all levels, translating complex financial information into clear, actionable insight.
You’ll have a strong understanding of VAT and corporation tax, alongside experience in financial modelling, advanced excel skills and a high level of accuracy and attention to detail.
Exposure to finance transformation or systems implementation projects would also be beneficial.
Highly organised and adaptable, you’re comfortable managing competing priorities and working to tight deadlines within a dynamic environment.
An experienced people leader, you’re skilled in developing teams, managing performance and building capability for the future.
Benefits What we offer: We know that to deliver our best work; we need to feel at our best.
That’s why at the Royal Household we offer a generous benefits package designed to support your wellbeing and life priorities.
Enjoy 25 days annual leave, rising to 30 days pro rata (plus
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance in London
✨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 The Royal Household. 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 in London
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 The Royal Household.
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 The Royal Household'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 The Royal Household
✨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 The Royal Household.
✨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 The Royal Household 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 The Royal Household 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.
