Financial Controller

Our client, a well-established organisation within the charity and education sector, is seeking a qualified Financial Controller to lead and oversee all financial operations across a multi-site environment. Reporting into the Chief Financial Officer, this is a senior role with responsibility for financial management, reporting, compliance, and team leadership.

The successful candidate will play a key role in maintaining financial stability, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting strategic decision-making. You will manage a central finance team and work closely with senior leaders across the organisation. This role offers great benefits, and you will be joining a collaborative and supportive culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, manage, and develop a central finance team, including managers and officers
• Drive high performance, accountability, and continuous improvement
• Build strong working relationships across finance and senior leadership teams
• Ensure accurate outputs, adherence to deadlines, and consistent financial standards
• Produce accurate monthly management accounts and annual financial statements
• Oversee consolidated reporting in line with relevant regulatory frameworks (e.g. Charity SORP / ESFA where applicable)
• Provide financial analysis, insight, and recommendations to the CFO
• Lead preparation of statutory accounts, returns, and audit deliverables
• Support organisation-wide budgeting and forecasting processes
• Lead annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting across multiple cost centres
• Work with senior stakeholders to align budgets with strategic objectives
• Oversee AP and AR functions, ensuring efficient and reliable service delivery
• Maintain supplier relationships and oversee due diligence processes
• Manage cash flow and liquidity across the organisation
• Oversee bank reconciliations and treasury processes
• Support investment and reserves management in line with policy
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations, internal controls, and policies
• Act as a key contact for auditors and external advisors
• Provide financial guidance to senior leaders and operational teams
• Deputise for the CFO where required
• Support system integration and reporting improvements
• Lead or support ad-hoc finance projects, including capital planning
• Liaise with external stakeholders as required

Candidate Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA / CIPFA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role
• Background within charity, not-for-profit, or education environments
• Proven experience managing and developing finance teams
• Strong technical accounting, reporting, and compliance knowledge
• Confident communicator with the ability to influence senior stakeholders
• Hands-on, organised, and comfortable working in a multi-site setting