Head of Finance

The Access Project is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Head of Finance. The Access Project believe that every young person should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make the most of their education. Their mission is to support under-resourced young people to access top universities, through a unique programme of mentoring, skills coaching, and tuition.

The Head of Finance will build strong foundations in relation to financial literacy and commercial awareness across the organisation, own financial management and control whilst working closely with the Executive team and budget holders. This role will be crucial in supporting the Chief Operating Officer and the Executive to deliver strategic plans over the next five years and beyond.

The role:

• Developing and managing The Access Project s financial strategy and associated KPIs with key stakeholders across the organisation.
• Managing variance analysis and reporting, reforecasting and rolling 12-month cash flow forecast successfully whilst optimising use of cash resources in line with its investment policy and risk management procedures.
• Owning and developing the financial control framework of The Access Project including optimising use of related systems.
• Leading on the annual budgeting and forecasting cycles, including multi-year forecasts and financial models in line with the organisation s strategic goals.
• Enable budget holders, through business partnering and training, to manage their own budgets effectively and make strategic decisions based on sound financial understanding of strategic drivers of the organisation.
• Supporting the Sales and Partnerships team with financial information for funding applications and producing financial reports to funders.
• Producing high-quality monthly management accounts with insightful commentary to the Executives, Finco and Trustees, including reporting on finance and fundraising KPIs.
• Successfully managing the month-end process including reviewing the work of the Senior Finance and Operations Coordinator and meeting reporting deadlines.
• Leading the annual audit successfully through pro-active planning and preparation of substantive information and annual statutory accounts, and playing a key role in collation of information of the annual report with relevant stakeholders.

The organisation:

The Access Project are passionate about reducing the educational barriers their students face, helping them to pursue a career in their chosen field and follow their dreams. They work with them to make good applications, get the grades and transition to university. The programme combats educational inequality and improves social mobility by raising students grades and supporting them to understand the pathway to a top university. Students who receive support from our programme are more than twice as likely to attend top universities as statistically similar students, according to UCAS.

Essential criteria:

• Holds a professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA/ACCA/CIMA). Finance professionals that have sufficient relevant experience and are close to becoming fully qualified could also be considered.
• Demonstrable business partnering approach to financial management is essential, preferably in a similar size organisation and business model.
• Has substantial and relevant experience within the not-for-profit sector including a strong understanding of Charities SORP (FRS102).
• Strong financial control, management accounting and reporting experience.
• Able to effectively communicate complex financial matters to non-finance colleagues.
• Passionate about educational disadvantage and The Access Project s mission.

The position will be based at The Access Project s head office at London Bridge and will benefit from highly flexible working arrangements (this does not preclude candidates living outside London from applying). The closing date for applications is 5 th January with interviews taking place on the week commencing 13 th January. The Access Project is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from people from all backgrounds. If you believe you have most of the skills to fulfil the role we encourage you to apply. There is under-representation of staff at The Access Project who are Black, Asian or people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled, care-experienced, from low socio-economic backgrounds, and who are LGBTQIA+ and the charity welcomes applications from people with lived experience in reference to the mission.