Job Details

Interim Financial Controller

Contract Duration: 3-6 months

Location: London

Working Hours: Monday to Friday, 35 hours week (1 hour lunch)

Employment Type: Interim - 3-6 months

Hybrid Working: 2 days office (Preferably Tuesday & Wednesday, 3 days working from home

Salary: £52,744 - £67,076

Overall Job Purpose

The Financial Controller will play a pivotal role in supporting the organisation's mission to improve child health by overseeing its financial health and sustainability. This position requires a strategic and detail-oriented finance leader with strong charity sector experience, who can manage all aspects of the financial control framework-ensuring timely month-end and year-end closures, compliance with all regulatory requirements, and supporting financial planning, reporting, and budgeting.

Dimensions

• Location: London and Home-Based (60% office / 40% remote)
• Budgetary Responsibility: To be determined
• Direct Reports: 6
• Titles of Direct Reports: Financial Accountant, Finance Officer ×4, Assistant Financial Accountant
• Structure Chart: Please attach if available

Key Tasks & Responsibilities

1. Financial Controls & Compliance

• Implement and maintain robust financial controls to ensure accuracy, integrity, and compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements (including charity-specific regulations).
• Develop and document business processes and accounting policies to strengthen internal controls.
• Oversee payroll, accounts payable, and accounts receivable functions.
• Support month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring balance sheet reconciliations are completed. Design, improve, and implement new month-end procedures.
• Ensure compliance with tax, accounting, audit, and other reporting obligations, including monthly payroll and pension submissions, quarterly VAT returns, and all Charity Commission reporting requirements.
• Lead internal and external audit processes, including preparation of group statutory accounts and coordination with auditors to ensure smooth and successful audits.
• Act as lead administrator for the finance system, ensuring appropriate access controls and roles are applied, and maintaining the chart of accounts across all group entities.

2. Cash Flow Management & Treasury

• Monitor and manage cash flow to ensure sufficient funds are available for operational needs and strategic initiatives.
• Manage relationships with banking partners and investment managers, ensuring effective cash management, liquidity planning, and investment oversight.

3. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct regular performance reviews and provide training to enhance team capability.

4. Strategic Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with departmental heads to provide financial insights and analysis in support of programme initiatives and resource allocation.
• Support the development and implementation of strategic projects, such as grant management and funding applications, aligned with the organisation's mission.

5. Financial Reporting & Analysis

• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual balance sheets.
• Lead the development of financial models and analysis to support key strategic decisions.
• Prepare financial reports for the Director of Finance, Board of Trustees, and senior management, ensuring alignment with organisational goals.

6. Budgeting & Forecasting

• Support the annual budgeting process, working with the financial planning and analysis team to create a comprehensive financial plan aligned with strategic objectives.
• Develop monthly capital project spending reports and analyse variances, providing insights to management on performance against budget.

General Responsibilities

• Lead, motivate and manage the performance of a team, ensuring effective collaboration across the organisation and wider sector, with a strong focus on achieving excellent outcomes for paediatrics through regular performance discussions and appraisals.
• Adhere to health and safety policies and associated procedures, and cooperate in maintaining high standards of health and safety.
• Uphold ethical and professional standards and avoid any behaviour that could bring the organisation into disrepute.
• Actively champion diversity and inclusion across the organisation, ensuring best practice is maintained at all times and appropriately challenging any behaviour or standards that fall short.
• Maintain confidentiality and handle organisational information securely. Comply with the Information Security Policy and Acceptable Use Policy.
• Demonstrate a commitment to maintaining any required professional registration or national occupational standards relevant to the role.
• Show a commitment to continuous learning and development, and participate in any training relevant to the role.
• Support and respect young people working within the organisation, including those involved through apprenticeship programmes. The post holder may be required to work alongside or supervise young people as part of their role.

Safeguarding Commitment

• The organisation is committed to safeguarding children, young people, and adults it engages with in the course of its work. All staff are expected to share this commitment.
• Staff must remain alert to safeguarding risks and respond appropriately in line with the organisation's safeguarding policies and procedures.
• Participation in safeguarding training and development is required for all staff.
• Managers must remain vigilant to safeguarding concerns within their teams and ensure regular review of safeguarding aspects in their work.
• A healthy organisational culture is the foundation of effective safeguarding. All staff are expected to promote and uphold this culture through their behaviour.

The post holder should be be prepared to not smoke in any of the premises

Annual Leave Allowance

27 days per year (pro rata for part-time and contracted staff). For every two years of completed service, one additional day of leave is granted, up to a maximum of 29 days. The organisation closes between Christmas and New Year, and these closure days are provided in addition to annual leave entitlement.

Person Specification - Financial Controller

Essential Criteria

Educational Background

• Bachelor's degree in finance, accounting, or a related field.
• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or an equivalent professional accounting qualification is required.

Experience

• Minimum of 5-7 years' experience in financial management roles, ideally within the charity or public sector.
• Proven experience of leading the year-end process, including the production of statutory accounts and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Experience acting as the main point of contact for auditors, leading group consolidation, and delivering annual reports and accounts in line with audit schedules and deadlines.
• Experience managing financial operations, preferably within a charity or healthcare-focused organisation.

Skills

• Strong analytical skills with the ability to translate complex financial data into clear, actionable insights.
• Proficiency in financial management software and advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including the ability to manage, mentor, and develop finance teams.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge of charity-specific accounting and regulatory requirements, such as the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) for charities.
• Experience using Business Central or similar ERP/financial systems.
• Familiarity with the healthcare sector or public health organisations.

Employment Benefits

• Contributory Pension Scheme with an employer contribution of up to 10%
• 35-hour working week (Monday to Friday, with a one-hour lunch break).
• The organisation operates a hybrid working model, requiring 40% of working time to be spent in the office over a four-week period.
• The office building is open from 7.30am to 8.00pm, Monday to Thursday.

About Us

We are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive community. In line with our Diversity and Inclusion policy, we welcome applications from all qualified individuals, regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability. As a Disability Confident Employer, and part of the Nicholas Associates Group, we are committed to supporting candidates with disabilities, and we're happy to discuss flexible working options.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of all our candidates and clients. If you choose to apply, your information will be processed in accordance with the Nicholas Associates Group of companies Privacy Notice.