Global Head of Finance

Trace | Expert Accountancy & Finance Recruitment; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Trace | Expert Accountancy & Finance Recruitment is seeking a Global Head of Finance for a charity consultancy with a worldwide remit. The role blends strategic oversight with hands-on financial leadership across multiple countries and grant-funded programs.

You'll drive budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial controls, partner with senior leaders and programme teams, and strengthen processes to support sustainable growth while ensuring compliance and donor reporting standards.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Experience in not-for-profit, international development or grant-funded sector.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting, and management reporting experience.
• Experience managing grant funding, donor compliance and restricted funds.
• Proven track record in month-end, year-end and external audits.
• Experience working across multiple entities, countries, or complex structures.
• Strong cash flow modelling, reserves planning and financial analysis.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders with clear financial insight.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning, including modelling and scenario analysis.
• Oversee monthly management accounts, financial reporting and variance analysis.
• Manage month-end and year-end processes, statutory accounts and external audits.
• Monitor cash flow, reserves and financial sustainability, identifying risks.
• Oversee grant and donor financial management and reporting.
• Act as strategic finance partner to senior leadership and programme teams.
• Strengthen financial policies and reporting across entities and geographies.
• Promote financial capability among non-finance stakeholders.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial reporting

Grant management

Donor compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Financial modelling

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Global Head of Finance – Charity Consultancy

Location: Predominantly remote, some days in London required

Permanent Role

The Opportunity

We are seeking an experienced Global Head of Finance to join a mission-driven organisation providing financial consulting and support to clients across the not-for-profit and social impact sectors. This is a broad, strategic and hands-on role, overseeing financial management for an international, grant-funded organisation. You will lead on financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, reporting and financial controls, while providing strategic advice to senior leadership and supporting effective financial decision-making across multiple countries and entities. Working closely with non-finance stakeholders, you will play a key role in strengthening financial processes, improving reporting and ensuring the effective management of resources in a complex, international environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning, including financial modelling and scenario analysis.
• Oversee monthly management accounts, financial reporting and variance analysis, providing clear insights to support decision-making.
• Manage month-end and year-end processes, statutory accounts and external audits, ensuring strong financial controls and compliance.
• Monitor cash flow, reserves and financial sustainability, identifying risks and recommending appropriate mitigation strategies.
• Oversee grant and donor financial management, including budget development, expenditure monitoring and donor reporting.
• Act as a strategic finance business partner to senior leadership, country directors and programme teams.
• Strengthen financial policies, systems, processes and reporting across multiple entities and geographies.
• Support and develop the financial capability of non-finance stakeholders, promoting best practice across the organisation.

About You

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with significant experience in a senior finance role. You will combine strong technical accounting expertise with commercial awareness, strategic thinking and the ability to communicate complex financial information to a range of stakeholders.

• Experience in the not-for-profit, international development or grant-funded sector.
• Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial planning and management reporting.
• Experience managing grant funding, donor compliance and restricted funds.
• A proven track record overseeing month-end, year-end and external audit processes.
• Experience working across multiple entities, countries or complex organisational structures.
• Strong financial modelling, cash flow management and reserves planning skills.
• The ability to influence senior stakeholders and provide clear, actionable financial insight.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with excellent communication and organisational skills.

Experience in a multi-country organisation, outsourced finance or shared service environment, and familiarity with international accounting frameworks would be advantageous.