Head of Finance

Future CFO; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible & hybrid working

Inclusive, mission-driven culture

Global NGO exposure

Wellbeing and support programs

Job summary

Future CFO seeks a Head of Finance to lead financial planning, accounting, and donor reporting for a portfolio of not-for-profit clients across multiple countries. The role blends strategic leadership with hands-on month-end, governance, and regulatory compliance.

You will partner with country directors and boards, build robust financial models, manage reserves, and oversee audits. NGO experience and strong stakeholder communication are essential.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience in the not-for-profit sector.
• Proven ability to manage budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Experience with grant and donor financial management and reporting.
• Experience leading month-end and year-end processes, including audits.

Responsibilities

• Lead annual budgeting across programmes and country offices.
• Develop robust financial models, forecasts, and scenario planning.
• Provide management accounts and variance analysis for decision-making.
• Oversee grants management and donor reporting in line with requirements.
• Support reserves planning and cash flow management across entities.
• Act as finance partner to programme teams and senior leadership.

Skills

Financial planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Donor reporting

Month-end close

Strategic partnering

Auditing support

Team leadership

Education

Chartered Accountant

Tools

Excel

QuickBooks

Xero

Job description

At Future CFO, we're committed to excellence in financial consulting, offering bespoke solutions to our clients who are predominantly in the not for profit and social impact space. As a forward-thinking organisation, we're looking for a dynamic Head of Finance to join our senior management team. The Head of Finance will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of Future CFO clients. This includes financial planning, budgeting, reporting, analysis, strategic decision-making and donor reporting. The Head of Finance is responsible for managing, supervising, and directing financial activities that our charity clients buy into. Other duties include strategic support and advisory to the management personnel and their Board members ensuring finances are used beneficially, developing the financial strategy, assessing investments, and ensuring legal and regulatory compliance.

The ideal candidate will have Non Profit and NGO experience and possess a blend of strong financial accounting skills and the ability to manage complex month-end processes across clients that are based globally. The individual will possess excellent communication abilities to liaise effectively with various teams and clients. They will be confident and a self-starter with excellent people skills, possess a passion for growth and create a powerful and connected team culture.

Before you apply

We’d encourage you to take a good look through the role responsibilities and person specification before applying. This is a broad and impactful role, so we’re looking for someone who can demonstrate strong experience across many of these areas and make sure your application brings this to life. We are also open to considering contractors with equivalent experience.

Candidates must be comfortable accommodating time zone differences and working flexible hours where required to support client needs.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning, Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process across all programmes and country offices, ensuring alignment with organisational strategy and funding requirements
• Develop and maintain robust financial models, including forecasts and scenario planning
• Produce regular forecasts (income, expenditure, and cash flow), highlighting risks and opportunities
• Partner with budget holders to ensure accountability and ownership of financial plans
• Oversee the preparation of timely and accurate monthly management accounts
• Deliver clear variance analysis with meaningful insights for decision-making
• Develop and enhance management reporting to improve visibility across programmes, grants, and geographies
• Present financial performance to senior leadership and non-finance stakeholders in an accessible way

Financial Accounting, Month-End & Audit

• Oversee and ensure timely and accurate month-end and year-end close processes
• Maintain integrity of the general ledger, including review of journals, accruals, and prepayments
• Ensure all balance sheet accounts are reconciled regularly and supported by appropriate documentation
• Lead the year-end audit process, acting as the primary point of contact for external auditors
• Prepare statutory accounts and ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards and local regulations
• Continuously improve financial processes, controls, and systems

Reserves & Cash Flow Management

• Support the development and management of organisational reserves in line with policy and strategic objectives
• Monitor and manage cash flow across entities, ensuring sufficient liquidity at all times
• Identify financial risks and propose mitigation strategies, particularly in relation to funding gaps
• Provide recommendations on reserves utilisation and financial sustainability

Grant & Donor Financial Management

• Oversee financial management of grants, ensuring budgets are accurate, compliant, and aligned with donor requirements
• Support proposal budgeting in collaboration with fundraising and programme teams
• Ensure timely and accurate donor financial reporting, including variance analysis and narrative explanations
• Maintain strong oversight of grant spend, ensuring compliance with funding agreements
• Act as a key finance business partner to programme teams on grant delivery

Financial Governance & Controls

• Ensure strong financial controls and compliance with internal policies and external regulations
• Support organisational audits and ensure audit readiness across all funding streams
• Maintain and improve financial policies, procedures, and systems
• Promote best practice in financial management across country teams

Strategic Finance & Business Partnering

• Act as a strategic finance partner to country directors and senior leadership
• Provide financial insight to support organisational strategy and growth
• Strengthen financial processes, tools, and reporting in a complex, multi-entity environment
• Build financial capability across non-finance teams

Candidate Profile

Qualifications & Experience

• Fully qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Substaintial experience in a senior finance role, ideally within the non-profit, international development, or grant-funded sector
• Proven experience managing budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes
• Strong experience of grant and donor financial management and reporting
• Experience leading month-end and year-end processes, including external audits
• Experience working across multiple entities, countries, or complex organisational structures is highly desirable

Technical Skills & Knowledge

• Strong understanding of financial accounting principles and controls
• Excellent financial modelling, budgeting, and forecasting skills
• Ability to interpret and present complex financial data clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Knowledge of donor compliance requirements and restricted funding environments
• Experience with finance systems and advanced Excel (or equivalent tools i.e. quickbooks, xero, etc.)
• Strong understanding of cash flow management and reserves planning

Leadership & Business Partnering

• Proven ability to act as a strategic finance partner to senior stakeholders
• Experience working collaboratively with non-finance teams (e.g. programmes, fundraising, operations)
• Ability to influence decision-making through clear financial insight
• Proactive and solutions-oriented, with the confidence to challenge where appropriate

Personal Attributes

• High level of integrity and accountability
• Strong attention to detail with the ability to see the bigger picture
• Excellent organisational skills and ability to manage competing priorities
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal
• Adaptable and comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• A collaborative and supportive team player with a hands-on approach
• Experience in a multi-country or decentralised organisation
• Experience working with outsourced finance providers or shared service models
• Familiarity with international compliance, local regulations, and different accounting frameworks
• Interest in or commitment to the organisation’s mission and impact

What We Offer

Purpose & Impact

• The opportunity to play a key role in a mission-driven organisation, contributing to meaningful and measurable impact
• A chance to shape and strengthen financial strategy in a growing, international environment

Professional Growth & Influence

• A highly visible role with exposure to senior leadership and strategic decision-making
• Opportunity to lead and improve financial systems, processes, and ways of working

  Flexibility & Work Environment

  • Flexible and hybrid working arrangements
  • A supportive and collaborative team culture
  • Commitment to work-life balance
  • A values-driven organisation with a strong sense of purpose
  • Inclusive and diverse working environment
  • Employee wellbeing initiatives and support

  International Exposure

  • Opportunity to work with colleagues across multiple countries and cultures
  • Involvement in international programmes and funding landscapes