Financial Controller

Sense; Birmingham; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Sense is seeking a Financial Controller to lead the financial operations, ensure robust controls, and deliver accurate reporting in a charity-focused environment. The role combines strategic oversight with hands-on involvement in systems development and process improvement.

The successful candidate will manage a finance team, drive efficiency through automation and AI, and collaborate with budget holders to provide insightful financial guidance in a hybrid Birmingham-based setup.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with up-to-date professional credentials.
• Experience in charity or not-for-profit sectors.
• Strong knowledge of Charity SORP, FRS 102, and statutory accounts.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency.
• Experience leading large finance teams and driving process improvements.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly management accounts, capex reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, and statutory returns.
• Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards and legislation.
• Maintain and improve financial systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Oversee VAT and corporation tax returns.
• Lead audits and liaise with external auditors.
• Support budget holders with financial guidance.
• Drive automation and AI initiatives in finance operations.

Skills

Strategic financial leadership

Team leadership

Financial reporting

Advanced Excel

Automation awareness

Education

ACCA/ACCA or CIMA or equivalent

Tools

SUN Accounts

ERP systems

Job description

The Financial Controller will be pivotal in managing Sense’s financial operations, ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and compliance with statutory requirements. Reporting to the Director of Finance, you will lead a team within the Finance department, fostering high performance, continuous improvement, and professional development.

You will also drive innovation by enhancing financial systems, mapping and improving processes, implementing new technologies, and exploring automation and AI solutions to improve efficiency and insight.

This is a full time, hybrid role working 2-3 days per week from our office in Selly Oak.

Key Responsibilities

• Oversee preparation of monthly management accounts, capex reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, statutory accounts, and returns.
• Ensure compliance with charity accounting standards and legislation.
• Maintain and improve financial systems, processes, and internal controls.
• Responsible for VAT and corporation tax returns.
• Provide finance services to external or semi-autonomous entities.

Systems Development & Process Improvement

• Map financial processes and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Lead initiatives to enhance existing systems and implement new technologies.
• Explore automation and AI to streamline operations and reporting.
• Adapt the chart of accounts to meet changing business needs.

Cash Flow Management

• Oversee cash flow forecasting with business partners to ensure effective liquidity management.

Line Management

• Lead and develop a team of finance professionals.
• Set objectives, monitor performance, and provide coaching and development.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive team culture.

Audit & Compliance

• Manage audits, liaise with external auditors, and ensure timely completion.
• Ensure compliance with charity regulations, tax requirements, and internal policies.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Work with budget holders to provide financial guidance and support.
• Communicate complex financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.

Person Specification

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in financial management within a charity or not-for-profit.
• Thorough knowledge of Charity SORP, FRS 102, and statutory accounts preparation.
• Strong technical understanding of accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Demonstrated success leading and motivating large finance teams with commitment to inclusion and diversity.
• Experience in financial systems development, process mapping, and improvement.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems proficiency.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and Sense’s values, including supporting people with complex communication needs.
• Knowledge of automation tools and emerging technologies such as AI.
• Experience with SUN Accounts or similar ERP systems.
• Experience supporting finance system implementations or upgrades.

About Sense

Sense is here to break down barriers alongside disabled people with complex needs. That's why we're committed to increasing the number of disabled people working across our organisation and creating an environment where everyone can thrive.

We actively encourage disabled people to apply for our vacancies and believe that a diverse range of perspectives, experiences and talents makes us stronger.

We know there's always more we can do to become a truly inclusive employer, and we're working together to achieve that. Join us and help create the change thousands of disabled people with complex needs and families told us they want to see: a world without limits.

If you need us to adjust our recruitment process to help you access our vacancies, then please get in touch with a member of the talent acquisition team. We are a Disability Confident Leader and commit to interviewing disabled people who meet the minimum criteria for a role. More information on this can be found here Our commitment as an employer | Sense Careers

Our Values

Our values shape the way we behave and work alongside disabled people with complex needs to break down barriers:

• We’re better together