Finance Manager

Bat Conservation Trust; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading conservation charity in London is looking for a Finance Manager to lead financial management, ensuring process compliance and robust financial records. You will manage budgets, transition responsibilities in-house, and support income generation through financial advisory. This role offers a competitive salary of £37,000 to £41,000 per annum and flexible working arrangements.

Benefits

25 days' annual leave plus Bank Holidays

Flexible working arrangements

Defined contributory pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Learning and development opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience of working in finance in the charity sector.
• Knowledge of charity accounts and SORP requirements.
• Ability to develop and maintain financial tracking systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial management across the organisation.
• Transition finance responsibilities from an outsourced model to in-house.
• Maintain robust financial records and uphold internal controls.

Skills

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent)

Experience in a similar finance role

Significant experience in financial management and budgeting

Excellent problem-solving skills

High attention to detail and accuracy

Education

Qualified accountant

Tools

SAGE

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Overview

Finance Manager — London, SW8 (hybrid)

The Organisation

Bats are remarkable and essential to our environment. The Bat Conservation Trust (BCT) is the foremost non-governmental organisation dedicated to bat conservation and habitat protection. Our mission is to work collaboratively and with a diversity of people to achieve resilient populations of bats and improve their habitats in an ever-changing world.

BCT actively works on a range of initiatives to create a better world for bats. We\'re passionate about preserving these unique creatures and are committed to welcoming like-minded individuals who share our dedication.

We are now looking for a Finance Manager to join us on a full-time, permanent basis, working 37.5 hours per week.

The Benefits

• Salary of £37,000 £41,000 per annum, depending on experience
• 25 days\' annual leave, plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service
• Flexible working arrangements, including a hybrid working policy
• Defined contributory pension scheme with 4% employer contribution
• Employee Assistance Programme offering 24/7 support and counselling
• Time off for volunteering opportunities
• Learning and development opportunities, including funding for personal growth
• Occupational sick pay
• Eye Care Vouchers
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Travel season ticket loans
• Interest free IT finance loans
• Free parking at our Battersea office (subject to availability)

This is a fantastic opportunity for a qualified accountant with experience in the charity sector to join our leading conservation charity.

This is your chance to step into a career-defining role where you\'ll shape a fresh, modern finance function and be the driving force behind lasting, positive change across our organisation that\'s ready to evolve and grow.

What\'s more, you will discover genuine flexibility through our hybrid working approach, empowering you to shape a work-life balance that supports your wellbeing, productivity, and personal commitments.

So, if you want to use your financial acumen to support vital conservation work, read on and apply today!

The Role

As our Finance Manager, you will lead financial management across the organisation, ensuring processes are robust, compliant and supportive of organisational goals.

Specifically, you will play a key role in transitioning finance responsibilities from an outsourced model to an in-house system, supporting the CEO and Head of Operations to improve processes, manage budgets, deliver management accounts, and prepare for audits.

Taking ownership of the budgeting cycle, you will maintain robust financial records, uphold internal controls, and work proactively with budget holders to produce timely and insightful reports that inform strategic and operational decisions.

Your expertise will also support our income generation efforts, advising on full cost recovery, assessing financial implications of funding proposals, and ensuring all grants and contracts are managed in line with financial and regulatory requirements.

Additionally, you will:

• Manage the grants and contracts schedule, ensuring claims are submitted on time
• Support the year-end accounts and audit process
• Reconcile accounts and manage VAT returns, payroll allocations, and control accounts
• Prepare financial papers for the Board of Trustees and attend relevant meetings
• Respond to staff queries, provide finance training, and support policy development
• Monitor aged debtors and creditors, ensure data protection compliance, and maintain financial relationships with external partners
• Contribute to strategic objectives and quarterly reporting, with potential line management of the bookkeeper

About You

To be considered as a Finance Manager, you will need:

• To be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) or QBE
• Experience in a similar finance role
• Significant experience in financial management and budgeting
• A successful track record of managing projects
• Experience of working in finance in the charity sector
• Experience of project planning or budgeting software
• Knowledge of charity accounts and SORP requirements
• An understanding of restricted vs unrestricted income, and VAT treatment
• Proficiency with financial software (currently SAGE) and Microsoft Excel
• The ability to develop and maintain financial tracking systems
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Excellent problem-solving skills

The closing date for this role is 9am on Friday 5th September 2025.

Other organisations may call this role Finance Lead, Financial Controller, Financial Manager, Finance Business Partner, or Senior Finance Officer.

Webrecruit and Bat Conservation Trust are equal opportunities employers, value diversity and are strongly committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and all applicants for employment. Equal opportunities are the only acceptable way to conduct business and we believe that the more inclusive our environments are, the better our work will be.

So, if you want to join us as a Finance Manager, please apply via the button shown. This vacancy is being advertised by Webrecruit. The services advertised by Webrecruit are those of an Employment Agency.