Head of Finance

Ashdown Group; Bampton; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 58,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

7% matched pension

Job summary

A leading charity seeks a Head of Finance / Senior Systems Accountant to lead hands-on accounting, drive system improvements and manage change across the finance function. The role blends technical accounting with systems, automation and reporting enhancements.

Working pattern is 4 days (30 hours) with hybrid working; two days in a South West London office. 6-month fixed-term with potential to extend or become permanent. The organisation offers a strong pension and 25 days leave.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or QBE.
• Hands-on accounting experience.
• Proven improvement of finance systems, processes, and reporting.
• Strong project management and stakeholder skills.
• Experience leading a finance team.

Responsibilities

• Hands-on financial and systems accounting including VAT returns.
• Oversee month-end process and reporting.
• Manage and develop the finance team.
• Review and improve finance systems, processes and controls.
• Identify opportunities to streamline processes and reduce manual work.
• Lead finance projects including new systems implementations.
• Improve financial reporting and MI.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to implement improvements.
• Explore automation/AI opportunities in finance.
• Provide strong financial and systems expertise during change.

Skills

Hands-on accounting

Project management

Stakeholder management

Staff development

Strategic thinking

Process improvement

Automation/AI in finance

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Finance systems (ERP)

Job description

Head of Finance / Senior Systems Accountant - Charity

Working Pattern: 4 days per week / 30 hours
Salary: Up to £58,250 plus 25 days annual leave
Contract: Initial 6-month fixed-term contract, with potential to extend or become permanent
Working: Hybrid with two days a week in South West London office

A leading and well-established charity is looking for an experienced Head of Finance / Senior Systems Accountant to join their Finance team during an exciting period of change and improvement.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced finance professional who enjoys a hands‑on accounting role combined with systems, process improvement and change management.

The organisation offers an excellent work‑life balance, including a 4-day, 30‑hour working week, flexible hybrid working, a 7% matched pension contribution and 25 days' annual leave.

The successful candidate will take a hands‑on role across financial and systems accounting while leading initiatives to improve financial processes, systems and reporting. You will also have responsibility for supporting and developing the finance team, managing projects and identifying opportunities to introduce greater automation and new technology.

Key Responsibilities

• Undertake hands‑on financial and systems accounting activities, including VAT returns.

• Oversee and support the month‑end process, ensuring accurate and timely reporting.

• Manage, support and develop members of the finance team.

• Review and improve existing finance systems, processes and controls.

• Identify opportunities to streamline processes, reduce manual work and improve efficiency.

• Lead finance‑related projects, including the implementation of new systems, processes and enhancements.

• Improve financial reporting and management information.

• Work closely with finance and non‑finance stakeholders to understand requirements and implement improvements.

• Explore opportunities for automation, AI and other emerging technologies to improve financial management.

• Provide strong financial and systems expertise during a period of organisational change.

About You

To be considered, you will ideally be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent), although candidates who are qualified by experience (QBE) will also be considered.

You will need to demonstrate:

• Strong experience in hands‑on technical accounting.

• Previous experience improving finance systems, processes and reporting.

• Proven project management experience, including implementing new systems, processes or system enhancements.

• Strong stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Experience managing, supporting and developing a finance team.

• The ability to work both strategically and hands‑on, getting into the detail when required.

• A proactive approach to identifying opportunities for improvement.

• Ideally, an understanding of automation and AI within finance and how technology can be used to improve efficiency and reporting.