Head of Finance

Austin Fraser; Oxford; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A small but ambitious charity is seeking an Interim Head of Finance, with the potential to turn permanent. The role focuses on providing strategic financial oversight, leading a finance team, and ensuring compliance with financial regulations. This full-time position includes hybrid working and various benefits aimed at professional development.

Benefits

Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave

Cycle to work scheme

Extensive training opportunities

Qualifications

• Experience in financial management within the public or not-for-profit sector.
• Ability to develop and manage finance teams supportively.
• Strong understanding of payroll, VAT, budgets, and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic financial oversight and management.
• Lead finance function and manage finance team.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission guidelines and oversee audits.

Skills

Financial Management

Team Leadership

Financial Analysis

Communication

Organizational Skills

Education

ACCA, ACA, or CIPFA qualified

Tools

Excel

Job description

We are hiring on behalf of our client, to recruit an Interim Head of Finance, with the opportunity to turn permanent. The current Head of Finance will be stepping down at the end of July following completion of audit fieldwork. Reporting to the CEO, this role will be primarily responsible for the transactional aspects of finance

Head of Finance Responsibilities

This position will involve, but will not be limited to:

• Provide strategic financial oversight for the charity by ensuring accurate monthly reconciliations, preparation of quarterly management accounts and KPIs, and effective cashflow and expenditure forecasting.
• Lead the finance function including direct line management of the Finance Manager and overall leadership of a five-person team, supporting professional development within a restructured department.
• Oversee compliance and regulatory responsibilities, ensuring adherence to Charity Commission financial guidelines, SORP, and all relevant tax and VAT legislation.
• Manage core financial operations such as payroll administration, maximising Gift Aid recovery, and maintaining robust financial systems and controls.
• Support governance and audit processes, collaborating with external auditors and the Audit Committee to produce statutory accounts, and co-developing committee agendas with the Chair.
• Collaborate with senior leadership, including the CEO and SMT, on budget setting, legacy fund administration, and governance responsibilities aligned with organisational priorities.

Head of Finance Rewards

Alongside the opportunity to work in a friendly and growing team, you will receive the following benefits:

• Enhanced Maternity and Paternity leave
• Cycle to work scheme
• Extensive training opportunities for your own learning and development

The Company

A small but ambitious charity, with a big impact.

Head of Finance Essentials

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, or CIPFA) with a strong track record in financial management, ideally within the public or not-for-profit sector
• Proven experience in managing and developing finance teams, with a supportive, empathetic, and collaborative leadership style.
• Strong understanding of day-to-day financial operations, including transactional finance, payroll, VAT, and the production of management accounts, financial KPIs, budgets, and cash flow forecasts.
• Excellent IT skills, particularly in using finance systems and Excel for reporting and financial analysis.
• Confident communicator with the ability to present complex financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders and support strategic planning with senior leadership.
• Highly organised, detail-oriented, and resilient under pressure; proactive and solutions-focused, with a genuine interest in the charity's mission and values.

Location

Based in Oxford, this is a full-time role working 37.5 hours per week, with hybrid working available (2 days in the office) and free onsite parking.

Action

If you would like to find out more about this excellent opportunity, then please apply online today! We aim to respond to all applications within 48 hours.

Allen Associates is a leading recruitment company in Oxfordshire recruiting for Marketing, Finance, Human Resources and PA/Administrative roles. Allen Associates operates as an Employment Agency for permanent recruitment and an Employment Business for temporary recruitment. For more information on current vacancies please visit (url removed) and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook. For our latest vacancies follow our Jobs on Twitter