Head of Finance

Resources for Autism; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

25 days’ annual leave

Bank holidays and Celebration Days

Wellbeing support

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension scheme

Job summary

Resources for Autism is seeking a hands-on Head of Finance to lead financial strategy and day-to-day management for a charity serving autistic people and families across London and beyond.

Reporting to the CEO, you will manage a small finance team, oversee budgets, forecasts, and financial reporting, and ensure compliant, robust financial controls while supporting service delivery with meaningful insight. Hybrid work with minimum 40% on-site in NW London.

Qualifications

• Charity finance experience, including managing restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• Knowledge of charity accounting, SORP and statutory reporting.
• Ability to explain financial information clearly to trustees and non-finance colleagues.
• Hands-on approach and ability to contribute to organisational strategy.

Responsibilities

• Produce accurate management accounts and financial reports for senior leaders and trustees.
• Develop budgets, forecasts and financial models to support planning and decision-making.
• Collaborate with service leads to cost new services and improve value for money.
• Manage restricted and unrestricted funds and produce Financial Funder Reports.
• Prepare annual financial statements and lead external audits.
• Ensure compliance with charity accounting regulations, SORP and statutory requirements.
• Support payroll delivery and back up the finance team member.
• Develop the finance team and improve systems and data usage.

Skills

Strong communication

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Financial modelling

Education

ACCA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

QuickBooks

Job description

We are seeking a hands-on finance leader to shape financial strategy and help an autism charity deliver life-changing support to individuals and families.

Position: Head of Finance

Salary: £50,000 per annum

Location: North West London, NW11, with hybrid working. A minimum of 40% on-site presence is required.

Hours: Full time, 37.5 hours per week

About the role

As Head of Finance, you will lead the charity’s financial strategy and day-to-day finance operations, ensuring strong financial management and clear insight to support its future.

Reporting to the CEO, you will join the senior leadership team and manage one finance team member. With an annual turnover of approximately £2.5 million, the charity receives a mix of restricted and unrestricted income through grants, contracts and donations.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Producing accurate management accounts and financial reports for senior leaders and trustees.
• Developing budgets, forecasts and financial models to support planning and decision-making.
• Working with service leads to cost new services, identify funding gaps and improve value for money.
• Managing restricted and unrestricted funds and produce Financial Funder Reports as specified by the Donor
• Preparing annual financial statements and leading the external audit process.
• Ensuring compliance with charity accounting regulations, SORP and statutory requirements.
• Supporting payroll delivery alongside colleagues and external partners, and be a back up to the member in their team
• Developing the finance team and improving financial systems, processes and use of data.

This is an opportunity to combine strategic leadership with practical financial management, helping secure the long-term sustainability of essential services.

About you

You will hold a professional accountancy qualification, such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or have equivalent experience.

You will bring:

• Substantial charity finance experience, including managing restricted and unrestricted funds.
• Strong knowledge of charity accounting, SORP and statutory reporting.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets and forecasts.
• A supportive approach to managing and developing colleagues.
• The ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues and trustees.
• Experience using QuickBooks or similar accounting software.
• An understanding of voluntary sector funding models.
• A hands-on approach and confidence contributing to organisational strategy.

Experience improving finance systems and processes would be an advantage.

About the organisation

This established charity supports autistic children, adults and their families across London and the West Midlands. Its services provide safe, meaningful opportunities that enable personal development and help autistic people live happy and fulfilling lives.

Benefits include 25 days’ annual leave plus eight bank holidays and three additional Celebration Days, hybrid working, ongoing training, wellbeing support, an Employee Assistance Programme and a pension scheme.

The charity welcomes applicants from all backgrounds, including neurodivergent people and those with lived experience of autism. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum essential criteria are guaranteed an interview.

Other roles you may have experience of could include Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Director of Finance, Charity Finance Manager, Head of Financial Management or Finance and Resources Manager. #INDNFP