Financial Controller, PROSPECTUS

Guardian Jobs; London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Join a forward-thinking charity as a Financial Controller, where you'll play a pivotal role in overseeing financial operations and providing strategic financial advice. This position offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the charity's mission of transforming the lives of children and young people through education. You'll manage financial reporting, budgeting, and audits while collaborating with various stakeholders. If you're a qualified accountant with a passion for making a difference, this role is perfect for you. Be part of an organization with a lasting positive legacy in the community.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with substantial financial management experience.
• Strong knowledge of UK Charity Accounting Standards and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee all financial operations and ensure compliance with statutory requirements.
• Manage external relationships with banks and financial institutions.

Skills

Financial Management

Communication Skills

Attention to Detail

Interpersonal Skills

Budgeting

Cashflow Forecasting

Education

Degree Level Education

ACCA

CIMA

ACA

CIPFA

Tools

MS Office

SAGE

Job description

Our client is committed to transforming the lives of children and young people by creating opportunities to learn, grow, and develop through Education. The organisation is an independent funder, with income generated from an endowment comprising property holdings and financial investments. As such, it does not fundraise. To date, the organisation has distributed over £298 million in grants to promote the life chances of children and young people through Education, with approximately £15 million in grants distributed annually. The charity provides grants to children and young people up to age 25 (or up to age 30 for those with special educational needs and/or disabilities) residing within nine Boroughs in West, Central, and North London.

We are pleased to be working with the charity to recruit a permanent Financial Controller for its established team, based in centrally located offices in London.

The role:

Reporting directly to the COO, the Financial Controller will provide consistent, robust financial advice across the charity. Responsibilities include overseeing all finance and financial operations, ensuring compliance with statutory requirements, and implementing effective financial controls. The role involves maintaining a financial planning framework aligned with the charity's strategy. Managing one direct report, the successful candidate will oversee financial reporting, tax compliance, management accounts, and year-end accounts for Trustee approval. The role also includes managing the annual financial audit, preparing budgets for SLT approval, and offering financial advice across these areas.

The Financial Controller will manage external relationships with banks, financial institutions, property investors, and auditors, especially where finance is involved. Additionally, they will oversee all grant-related financial transactions in collaboration with the Grants department.

The person:

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant capable of providing excellent financial management and reporting. They should be confident engaging with internal stakeholders and external advisors, with the ability to balance different requirements. Attention to detail, strong organization, and excellent communication skills are essential. Candidates should hold a Degree or equivalent qualification (ACCA, CIMA, ACA, or CIPFA). Experience with MS Office and financial software, including SAGE, is required.

Experience working with endowed trusts, foundations, or charities, especially those with income from a permanent endowment, is highly desirable. The candidate should have substantial senior financial management experience within the charity or not-for-profit sectors, with thorough knowledge of UK Charity Accounting Standards (SORP), Charity Commission compliance, and VAT. Skills in strategic financial planning, complex financial statement preparation, budgeting, and cash flow forecasting are necessary, particularly in a funder or grant-maker setting. Given the organisation’s income from property and investments, significant experience managing income and cash flow from these sources is essential.

This role offers a unique opportunity to join a well-established and successful charity with a meaningful legacy in the communities it serves across London.

The organisation encourages applications from diverse groups reflecting the communities it serves, including Black, Asian, Mixed Race, and other ethnically diverse individuals, people with disabilities, and members of LGBTQ+ communities.

First Round Interviews: 12th May 2025

Second Round Interview: 19th May 2025