At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations and deliver insightful financial information for strategic decision-making.
- Company: Join One Parent Families Scotland, a charity dedicated to supporting single parents and tackling inequality.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous leave, and ongoing training opportunities.
- Other info: Collaborative culture focused on continuous improvement and meaningful contributions.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on social change while shaping financial strategy in a values-driven environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial management and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 47454 - 47454 £ per year.
One Parent Families Scotland (OPFS) is a national charity committed to improving the lives of single parents and their children across Scotland. With a strong focus on tackling poverty, reducing inequality and influencing policy, the organisation delivers a combination of local services, national advocacy and practical support to families facing complex social and financial challenges. Driven by a clear social purpose, OPFS works collaboratively with partners and stakeholders to create meaningful, long-term change.
This is a pivotal appointment within OPFS, offering the chance to lead the finance function of a values-led organisation with a broad and varied funding model. As Finance Manager, you will take ownership of financial operations, ensuring the delivery of accurate, timely and insightful financial information to support both day-to-day activity and longer-term strategic decision-making. Reporting to the Head of Corporate Services, the role combines technical finance leadership with strong stakeholder engagement across the Senior Team, Board and wider organisation. The position is particularly well suited to someone motivated by purpose, who wants their work to contribute directly to addressing social inequality while maintaining high standards of financial governance and control.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Management & Reporting
- Lead the preparation of quarterly management accounts, forecasts and board reporting
- Deliver clear analysis of financial performance, including variance analysis against budget
- Oversee reporting to funders, ensuring compliance with grant conditions and deadlines
- Maintain oversight of banking, cashflow, investments and financial controls
- Ensure all statutory reporting requirements (including HMRC submissions) are met
- Budgeting & Financial Planning
- Lead the annual budgeting process in collaboration with senior stakeholders
- Produce reforecasts and support ongoing financial planning activity
- Support the development of budgets for funding applications and contract bids
- Provide insight into financial strategy, including the use of reserves
- Team Leadership & Systems
- Lead, develop and support the finance team to ensure effective delivery
- Ensure financial procedures are robust, documented and consistently applied
- Review and enhance financial systems, processes and controls
- Oversee payroll processes, ensuring accuracy and timeliness
- Governance & Audit
- Prepare statutory annual accounts in line with relevant reporting frameworks
- Manage the external audit process and liaise with auditors
- Support the Board and Finance Subgroup with clear and accessible reporting
- Ensure audit recommendations are implemented effectively
- Business Partnering & Communication
- Work closely with budget holders across the organisation to support decision-making
- Provide clear financial insight to non-finance stakeholders
- Support organisational understanding of financial processes and reporting
- Collaborate with business development teams on funding and income generation
Candidate Profile
This role requires a strong technical foundation combined with a collaborative, purpose-driven mindset. Essential experience and skills include:
- Qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience
- Proven experience in financial management, budgeting and reporting
- Experience working with multiple funding streams, ideally within the third sector
- Strong understanding of financial controls, governance and statutory reporting
- Experience overseeing payroll processes
- Excellent communication skills, with the ability to engage a range of stakeholders
- Ability to work independently while contributing to a wider leadership team
Desirable:
- Experience supporting grant applications and funder reporting
- Experience delivering finance training or guidance to non-finance colleagues
- Exposure to charity accounting environments
A genuine alignment with the organisation’s mission and values is essential.
Why Join?
- Contribute to an organisation making a tangible difference across Scotland
- Lead and shape financial strategy within a complex, purpose-driven environment
- Work closely with senior leadership and Board members
- Gain exposure to a diverse funding landscape and strategic initiatives
- Be part of a collaborative, values-led culture focused on continuous improvement
Package highlights include:
- Salary: Up to £47,454
- Option for a 4 day part-time role: available for experienced candidates, with salary pro rata equivalent up to £59,318 FTE
- 35-hour working week with flexible and hybrid working arrangements
- 25 days annual leave plus 12 public holidays
- Pension contribution (3% employee / 7% employer)
- Ongoing training, development and support
Finance Manager employer: Wilkinson & Associates Ltd
Contact Detail:
Wilkinson & Associates Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Manager
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who might have insights into One Parent Families Scotland. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by understanding OPFS's mission and values. Show them you’re not just about numbers; you care about making a difference in the community. Tailor your answers to reflect how your skills can help tackle social inequality.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your financial storytelling! Be ready to explain complex financial concepts in simple terms. This will help you connect with non-finance stakeholders during interviews and demonstrate your communication skills.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of the OPFS team.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Manager
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Finance Manager role. Highlight your experience in financial management, budgeting, and reporting, especially if you've worked in the third sector. We want to see how your skills align with our mission!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Share your passion for tackling social inequality and how your background makes you a perfect fit for OPFS. Don’t forget to mention specific experiences that demonstrate your financial expertise.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Finance Manager, you'll need to engage with various stakeholders. Use your application to showcase your communication skills. Whether it’s through clear examples or concise language, let us know how you can make complex financial info accessible to everyone.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of applications and ensures you don’t miss any important details. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Wilkinson & Associates Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them in past roles. This shows you can deliver insightful financial information that supports strategic decision-making.
✨Align with the Mission
One Parent Families Scotland is all about tackling social inequality. Make sure you understand their mission and values, and be prepared to share how your personal values align with theirs. This will show your genuine interest in contributing to their cause.
✨Prepare for Stakeholder Engagement
You'll be working closely with various stakeholders, so think about examples from your past where you've successfully communicated complex financial information to non-finance colleagues. This will highlight your ability to engage and support decision-making across the organisation.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a leader in the finance team, it's crucial to demonstrate your experience in developing and supporting team members. Prepare examples of how you've led teams, improved processes, or enhanced financial systems in previous roles to illustrate your capability in this area.