Financial Controller

THE BRANDON TRUST; West of England; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

Brandon seeks a Financial Controller to lead and develop a high-performing finance function. You will work closely with the CFO and Finance Director to ensure financial resilience, strategic insight, and effective governance across the charity.

You will shape financial strategy, oversee treasury, planning and reporting, and lead a team through transformation to maximise Brandon's impact for people relying on its services. This is a senior, influential role within a mission-driven organisation.

Qualifications

• Qualified finance leader with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Significant experience in financial control, accounting, reporting and governance.
• Proven track record of leading finance teams.
• Experience guiding organisations through change and continuous improvement.
• Strong treasury management, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Build a stronger finance function with clear accountability and standards.
• Provide financial leadership that informs decision-making and improves understanding across Brandon.
• Ensure robust cashflow, treasury and working capital management.
• Deliver timely, accurate financial reporting for boards and executives.
• Maintain governance and control frameworks to manage risk and support audits.
• Drive improvements to systems, processes and ways of working.
• Ensure payroll, income, debt management and purchase ledger services are accurate.
• Help Brandon grow and maximise its impact through sound financial foundations.

Skills

Finance leadership

Financial control

Governance & reporting

People leadership

Change management

Treasury management

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Strategic thinking

Process improvement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

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Financial Controller

Job Reference brandontrust/TP/662/1767

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Job Introduction

Financial Controller

Up to £70,000

Bristol (Hybrid) | Permanent

At Brandon, finance is about far more than producing accurate numbers. It's about providing the insight, leadership, and stewardship that helps us deliver life changing support to people with learning disabilities and autistic people. As our Financial Controller, you'll play a pivotal role in ensuring we remain financially resilient, well governed, and able to maximise our impact.

This is a rare opportunity to combine technical expertise with people and organisational leadership. Working closely with our Chief Financial and Commercial Officer and Finance Director, you'll influence strategic decisions, support organisational transformation and lead the continued development of our finance function.

Why you might love this role

You'll shape the future of finance at Brandon
You'll help modernise systems, improve processes, strengthen controls, and build a finance function that delivers outstanding service, insight, and value across the organisation.

You'll lead people through growth and change
You'll develop capability, create clarity and foster a culture where people feel empowered, supported, and accountable for delivering great outcomes.

You'll be an organisational leader
Your influence won't stop at finance. You'll work alongside senior leaders, contribute to strategic discussions and help improve financial understanding across Brandon.

You'll have real strategic impact
From financial planning and treasury management to governance and risk, you'll play a key role in ensuring Brandon's long-term sustainability and success.

You'll do work that genuinely matters
Everything we do is about enabling people to live the lives they choose. Your leadership will help ensure we can continue delivering that mission for years to come.

What you'll deliver

• A stronger finance function
  Build a capable, engaged and high-performing team with clear accountability, consistent standards and a culture of continuous improvement.
• Trusted organisational leadership
  Provide financial leadership that influences decision-making, strengthens relationships and improves financial understanding across the organisation.
• Financial resilience and sustainability
  Ensure robust cashflow, treasury and working capital management that supports Brandon's long-term ambitions.
• High quality financial insight
  Deliver accurate, timely and meaningful reporting that enables informed decisions at Board, Executive and operational level.
• Strong governance and control
  Maintain effective governance and financial control frameworks that manage risk and support successful audit outcomes.
• Modern, efficient finance operations
  Drive improvements to systems, processes and ways of working that enhance efficiency, controls and reporting.
• Excellent financial services
  Ensure payroll, income, debt management and purchase ledger services are accurate, compliant and customer focused.
• Lasting organisational impact
  Help create the financial foundations that enable Brandon to grow, innovate and maximise its impact for the people it supports.

What we're looking for

We're looking for a qualified finance leader who combines technical expertise with exceptional people leadership.

You'll be equally comfortable discussing strategy with senior leaders, developing and coaching your team, strengthening governance and driving meaningful improvement across a complex organisation.

You'll bring:

• A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in financial control, accounting, reporting and governance.
• A track record of leading and developing finance teams.
• Experience leading people through change and continuous improvement.
• Strong expertise in treasury management, budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Excellent stakeholder management and influencing skills.
• Strong commercial awareness, judgement and strategic thinking.
• Experience improving systems, processes and financial controls.
• The confidence to challenge constructively and bring people with you.
• A collaborative, values-led leadership style aligned with Brandon's purpose.

Join Brandon

This role is ideal for a finance leader who enjoys building capability, leading through change and creating the conditions for both people and performance to flourish.

If you're excited by the opportunity to influence strategy, develop people, strengthen financial performance and make a meaningful difference to people's lives, we'd love to hear from you.

Help us build a stronger future for Brandon and the people we support.