Interim Head of Finance

Location Paddock Wood
Salary £500–£600 per day
Contract Interim
Job Ref

Location: Paddock Wood (hybrid: 2 days on site, 3 from home)

Contract: Interim, 12 months, with the possibility of a permanent role

Pay rate: £500–£600 per day, inside IR35

Start: ASAP

Reporting to: Chief Financial Officer

Not-for-profit experience is essential. Only candidates with senior finance experience in a charity, social care, social housing or local authority setting will be considered.

The opportunity

A well-established charity is looking for an Interim Head of Finance to provide financial leadership and stability over the next 12 months, while it plans the future shape of its finance function.

This is an interim role with a clear purpose. You will strengthen systems and controls, build the confidence and capability of the finance team, and give the CFO, executive team and trustees robust assurance over the organisation's finances. The aim is to leave the function in a much stronger position than you found it, with a team that is accountable, well organised and seen as a valued partner across the charity.

It will suit an experienced not-for-profit finance leader who enjoys bringing clarity and structure to a function, is comfortable setting high standards and addressing performance, and wants work with a genuine social purpose. There is the possibility of a permanent role for the right person.

What you'll be doing

Leading and developing the team

  • Assess the capability of the finance team, identify skills gaps and put a structured development plan in place
  • Set clear expectations, address performance and build a culture of ownership, accountability and continuous improvement
  • Develop a responsive, approachable team that the wider organisation sees as a trusted partner

Technical accounting and compliance

  • Provide expert oversight of statutory accounts, external audit, VAT and other tax obligations
  • Make sure restricted and unrestricted funds are properly recorded, allocated and used in line with funder requirements
  • Ensure strong financial governance and compliance with regulatory and trustee requirements
  • Carry out detailed financial reviews, investigate anomalies and close gaps in financial controls

Systems and processes

  • Review and improve financial systems, removing manual workarounds, duplication and inefficiency
  • Strengthen procedures for budgeting, purchasing, expenses, income processing and authorisation
  • Use automation and technology to improve accuracy, speed and transparency

Financial planning and sustainability

  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial modelling
  • Monitor reserves and long-term financial sustainability
  • Support funding bids, grant applications and reporting to funders
  • Provide clear financial insight and constructive challenge to budget holders, so resources are used where they make the greatest impact

Stakeholder leadership

  • Work closely with the CFO, executive team and trustees, translating complex financial information into clear, accessible insight
  • Develop and deliver a clear improvement plan for the finance function

About you

Essential

  • Significant senior finance experience in the not-for-profit sector: charity, social care, social housing or local authority
  • Strong technical accounting knowledge, including statutory reporting, audit and tax
  • A proven track record of leading, developing and improving the performance of finance teams
  • Demonstrable experience of reviewing and improving financial systems, processes and controls
  • Strong financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management experience
  • The confidence to challenge practices, investigate discrepancies and assess financial risk
  • Excellent communication skills, able to build credibility with trustees, senior leaders and non-finance colleagues
  • Integrity, resilience and a genuine commitment to the organisation's purpose

Desirable

  • Charity-specific technical knowledge, including the Charities SORP, fund accounting and Gift Aid
  • Experience of income from grants, contracts, donations and fundraising
  • Previous interim or turnaround experience in a finance function

Apply now

Consultant

Dan Gladwin

Director