Finance Project Accountant

Altum Consulting; Greater London; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 111,000; Part time

Job summary

Altum Consulting is seeking an experienced Finance Project Accountant to support a UK charity through a period of organisational change and increased project activity. The role is hands-on, requiring ownership of delivery with minimal supervision as part of a 2–3 month assignment, with flexibility for PAYE or self-employed engagement.

You will lead on finance and systems projects, develop budgeting/reporting frameworks, and improve processes across payment systems and grants.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
• Strong track record in charity finance and sector-specific processes.
• Proven delivery of finance projects including systems improvements.
• Advanced Excel skills; comfortable across multiple systems.
• Proactive, organised, ownership of workstreams with minimal supervision.

Responsibilities

• Lead discrete finance and systems projects from scoping to delivery.
• Develop budgeting and reporting frameworks aligned to strategy.
• Improve processes across payment systems (incl. BACS), accounting and grants systems.
• Work across multiple systems and datasets; use Excel to bridge reporting.
• Identify practical improvements for non-finance stakeholders.
• Keep the finance lead updated while delivering deliverables.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Charity finance experience

Finance project delivery

Process improvement

Stakeholder engagement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

An established and historic UK charity is seeking an experienced Finance Project Accountant professional to support a period of organisational change and increased project activity. The organisation funds and delivers community-based initiatives supporting vulnerable people across the UK and is currently implementing a new strategy, alongside strengthening its financial processes, systems and reporting.

Following recent recruitment within the finance team, there is now a need for additional interim support to help progress a substantial pipeline of finance and systems-related projects. This is a hands-on role working alongside the existing finance lead, who will provide direction on priorities, but requires someone able to take ownership of delivery with minimal supervision.

The Role

You will take a lead role on a range of finance projects, helping to improve processes, introduce efficiencies and support the implementation of new ways of working. The work is varied and will include elements such as:

• Leading on discrete finance and systems projects from scoping through to delivery
• Supporting the development of new budgeting and reporting frameworks aligned to the organisation's strategy
• Improving processes across payment systems (including BACS), accounting and grants systems
• Working across multiple systems and datasets, using Excel to bridge and enhance reporting where needed
• Identifying and implementing practical improvements that are clear and workable for non-finance stakeholders
• Keeping the internal finance lead updated on progress while working independently on agreed deliverables

The assignment is likely to be project-based, with the opportunity to define and deliver specific pieces of work rather than acting as day-to-day cover within the team.

Person Specification

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong track record in charity finance, with a good understanding of sector-specific processes and systems
• Demonstrable experience delivering finance projects, including systems improvements and process change
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working across multiple systems
• Able to quickly understand existing processes and identify practical improvements
• Proactive, organised and solutions-focused, with the ability to take ownership of workstreams
• Comfortable working with a degree of autonomy, while engaging appropriately with stakeholders
• Initial duration expected to be a minimum of 2-3 months
• Flexible time commitment (not necessarily full-time)
• Can be structured either as a PAYE contract or a self-employed consultancy assignment
• There is flexibility to scope the work into defined projects, allowing delivery in agreed "chunks" where appropriate
• Start date targeted for end of this week or early next week

This is a well-suited opportunity for a senior interim (Finance Manager, Financial Controller or equivalent level) who enjoys project-based work and can add value quickly in a changing environment.