Finance Business Partner - Temporary maternity cover until July 2026

NOW Group; Belfast; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a leading social enterprise as a Finance Business Partner where you will drive financial planning and support various departments. You'll develop insights for decision-making, ensuring compliance and efficiency within our financial processes while enjoying a range of benefits including a health cash plan and flexible working options.

Benefits

Health Cash Plan

Wellbeing Support

Pension Scheme

Flexible Work Initiatives

25 days annual leave plus 12 statutory holidays

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years relevant accounting experience.
• Experience dealing with external funding bodies.
• Proficient in the use of accounting systems.

Responsibilities

• Prepare Monthly Management accounts and report to management on variances.
• Manage the budgeting and forecasting process.
• Ensure appropriate financial policies and controls are in place.

Skills

Data analysis

Financial planning

Project management

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Qualified or part-qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA)

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Accounting systems and software

Job description

About NOW Group

NOW Group is a social enterprise committed to supporting people with learning difficulties and autism into sustainable employment and meaningful lives. We deliver a range of services including training, employment support, and social enterprise initiatives across the Island of Ireland.

The Role

As a Finance Business Partner you will play a key role supporting the various departments across NOW Group and act as a strategic advisor to help make data driven decisions. You will partner with the relevant department heads to support financial planning and analysis, deliver actionable insights and recommendations, support business development, monitor financial performance and host monthly/quarterly finance reviews.

Key Responsibilities

1.1. Prepare Monthly Management accounts and report to management on variances from the established budget, presenting the rationale for any variances as well as highlighting any risks or opportunities.

2. Manage the budgeting and forecasting process including variance analysis in consultation with the Director of Finance and Senior Management Team.

1. Ensure appropriate financial policies, processes and financial controls are in place, to meet all relevant legislative, regulatory and accounting requirements.

2. Develop and manage all financial processes aligned to financial policies. Prepare all supporting information for the annual audit and external auditors as necessary.

3. Liaise and develop good working relationships with key contacts, .e.g., auditors, bankers, insurance brokers, and HMRC.

4. Manage the continuous review and improvement of systems for accounting, management reporting and purchasing processes, to ensure maximum efficiency in processes, value for money, long term forecasting and KPIs.

5. Manage and prepare all claims processes for relevant funders, providing accurate monthly returns in line with funder requirements.

6. Oversee NOW Group’s day-to-day financial management, managing cash-flow, investments and reserves.

7. Liaise with the pension provider, ensuring all payments are made in time.

8. Ensure adherence to all authorisation limits and financial controls put in place.

9. Provide input into recruitment and induction of key staff and oversee appropriate training and development in finance areas.

10. Facilitate monthly management reporting for Support Services area.

11. Manage all finance team staff.

12. Understand and adhere to financial regulations and legislation. Manage income, cash flow and expenditure.

13. Improve efficiencies and reduce costs.

14. Complete all VAT and HMRC returns as required and liaison with tax advisors as required.

15. Participate in debtor management process for Social Enterprise area of business.

16. Actively work with budget managers and budget holders in understanding financial information to ensure effective financial management of the group’s activities.

This job description is not definitive and may be subject to review as the duties and responsibilities determine.

About The Role

Why Work With Us?

At NOW Group, we value our employees and offer a supportive and rewarding work environment. Benefits include:

• Annual Leave: 25 days plus 12 statutory holidays.
• Health Cash Plan: Available after successful probation.
• Wellbeing Support: Access to confidential counselling and financial advisory services.
• Pension Scheme: 5% employer contribution.
• Flexible Work Initiatives: Including a Bike-to-Work scheme, holiday purchase options, and more.

Additional Information

• Employment is subject to an Enhanced AccessNI Disclosure check.
• NOW Group is committed to fair recruitment practices. A copy of our safeguarding and recruitment policies is available upon request.

Join NOW Group and help us transform lives by creating sustainable job opportunities for all. Let’s make a difference together!

Required Criteria

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) or equivalent.
• Minimum of 5 years relevant accounting experience.
• Full driving licence and access to a car (if the effects of a disability prelude an individual from holding a driving licence they should indicate how they can meet the mobility requirements of the post, i.e. ability to get to different sites)
• Experience of dealing with external funding bodies and administering grant funding claims.
• Proficient in the use of the Microsoft Office suite, in particular MS Excel.
• Working knowledge and experience of accounting systems and software.
• Proven experience of using initiative and being proactive in seeking to improve systems and processes
• Ability to demonstrate excellent organisational skills, strong attention to detail and ability to prioritise a varied workload effectively and efficiently.

Desired Criteria

• Experience using Sage Line 50 & Sage Payroll.
• Experience working in the third sector and or social enterprise.

Skills Needed

About The Company

At the heart of the NOW Group’s mission is its commitment to empowering individuals to gain skills and access meaningful employment. It achieves this through tailored employment academies, which provide participants with industry-specific training and work placements, and through their social enterprise businesses Loaf Catering and Cafes and Loaf Pottery.

One of the best-known contributions from the NOW Group is the JAM (“Just A Minute”) Card -a tool that allows people with invisible disabilities to discreetly ask for patience in everyday interactions. It’s a very successful initiative with over 182,500 users and 3, 000 global organisations regarded as being JAM Card Friendly.

The NOW Group’s impact is driven by innovation, dedication, and an unwavering focus on changing lives for the better.

Company Culture

At NOW Group, our culture is what sets us apart. It’s built on collaboration, compassion, and a shared belief that everyone deserves the opportunity to thrive. Across our integrated team — from Training and Employment to Family Service, JAM Card, Loaf Cafés, Catering and Pottery, Social Groups, and vital support services like HR, Communications, Finance and Compliance — we are united by one purpose: to support people with learning difficulties, neurodiverse conditions, ADHD and autism intosustainable employment.

We don’t just work side by side — we work together. Each department brings its own strengths, but our true power lies in our ability to collaborate across teams. Our participants come from all walks of life, and it’s our culture of teamwork, flexibility, and deep empathy that allows us to meet their varied needs with real impact.

In 2024/2025 alone, our culture of care and commitment helped place nearly 400 people into meaningful, sustainable employment across Ireland and supported 2,168 individuals to achieve 1,824 qualifications. These aren’t just statistics — each number represents a life transformed, a family supported, and a community benefitted.

What truly defines our team is heart. We care deeply — not just about the work, but about the people behind it. Our team members show up every day with passion and purpose, knowing that their efforts are making a lasting difference. They don’t see targets — they see individuals, and the ripple effect that a single opportunity can have.

Company Benefits

Benefits at NOW Group

NOW Group is dedicated to the wellbeing and growth of our employees, offering a comprehensive benefits package designed to support both personal and professional needs. We provide 25 days of annual leave plus 12 statutory days (pro-rata), allowing ample time for rest and rejuvenation.

We prioritize health and wellness through a Health Cash Plan, which becomes available upon successful completion of the probationary period, and confidential staff counseling and financial advisory services, ensuring support for your physical, mental, and financial health.

To help plan for the future, we offer a Stakeholder Pension Scheme with a generous 5% employer contribution. Employees can also take advantage of our Bike to Work scheme and holiday purchase options, promoting flexibility and convenience.

Our flexible working initiatives, including a hybrid working model, and various wellbeing programs, reflect our commitment to fostering a positive and adaptable work environment for all team members.

Vacation, Paid time off, Gym membership or wellness programs, Cycle to work, Competitive salary, Long service recognition, Hybrid Working, On the job learning, Progression opportunities

Salary

Not disclosed

Benefits:
Vacation, Paid time off Gym membership or wellness programs Cycle to work Competitive salary Long service recognition Hybrid Working