Financial Controller in Bristol

Location: Hybrid working available (at least 3 days per week in office)

Purpose of job

The Financial Controller is responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and efficiency of Watershed's financial operations across the Trust and Trading Company. This includes management and statutory accounting, financial controls, compliance, reporting, and cash flow management. The role provides reliable, timely financial information to the Leadership Team, Board, and ensures we are meeting the needs of our external funders on financial matters. The Financial Controller manages the finance team and works closely with budget holders across the organisation to support sound financial decision‑making.

Main responsibilities

• Financial control and compliance
  • Maintain and develop robust financial controls to mitigate the risk of fraud and error across both the Trust and Trading Company.
  • Ensure all financial activities comply with relevant legislation and regulations, including Charity Commission requirements, HMRC obligations, and company law.
  • Lead Watershed's annual audit process and prepare statutory accounts for both entities.
  • Maintain and develop finance policies and procedures, ensuring these are clearly documented and consistently applied.
• Management accounts and reporting
  • Ensure accurate and timely monthly management accounts are delivered for both the Trust and the Trading Company.
  • Provide clear financial reporting to the CEO, Senior Management Team, Finance Committee, and Board of Trustees on financial performance, risks, and resilience.
  • Prepare financial reports for key funders including Arts Council England and the British Film Institute in line with their requirements.
  • Manage financial reporting for other funders and statutory purposes as required.
• Budgeting and forecasting
  • Lead a collaborative annual budget process with budget holders and the Senior Management Team, ensuring the budget is well‑aligned to Watershed's strategy and business plan.
  • Maintain an up‑to‑date rolling cash flow forecast for the Watershed group.
  • Produce reforecasts as required, providing clear variance analysis and commentary.
• Team leadership
  • Line management of senior members of the Finance Team including performance management and professional development.
  • Foster a collaborative, well‑organised finance function that is responsive and helpful to colleagues across the organisation.

Additional requirements

• Attend Finance Committee and Board meetings as required.
• Carry out any other duties reasonably required.
• Act as a Member of Watershed’s Extended Leadership team – attends monthly XLT meeting, feeds into organisational decision‑making and strategy.

Key performance indicators

• Management accounts are produced accurately and to agreed deadlines each month.
• Annual budget is developed collaboratively and signed off on time.
• Strong stakeholder relationships exist at all levels.
• Watershed remains compliant with financial legislation, with a clean year‑end audit outcome.
• Funder financial reports are submitted accurately and on time.
• Finance team is well‑managed and supported to develop professionally.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (e.g. ACCA, CIMA, ICAEW or equivalent).
• Demonstrable experience in a similar financial controller or senior finance role.
• Experience preparing management accounts and statutory accounts for a group structure or multi‑entity organisation.
• Strong understanding of charity accounting and Charity Commission requirements.
• Experience with Xledger or similar cloud‑based finance platforms.
• Experience leading a finance team.

Equal Opportunities

We are striving to understand who applies to work with us and will provide an anonymous equal opportunities monitoring form after the application process. The form is confidential and will not be shared with anyone involved in recruitment.