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About the Role

This is an exciting role for a motivated self-starter, keen to make a key contribution to delivering financial strategy with a well-rounded business partnering approach. The Access Project seeks a Financial Controller to build strong foundations in financial literacy and commercial awareness, supporting the Chief Operating Officer in delivering strategic plans over the next five years. This role offers the opportunity to build strong relationships across the organisation, provide outstanding customer service, and develop a broad Finance skillset.

Responsibilities

Manage strategic financial plans and support budget holders.
Lead budget preparation, implementation, variance analysis, and forecasting cycles.
Develop financial strategy and associated KPIs.
Collaborate with the Sales and Partnerships team on fundraising pipeline and income projections.
Provide financial information for funding applications and produce reports to funders.
Manage restricted funding, ensuring compliance with funder requirements and Charities SORP.
Maintain information integrity and completeness for timely reporting.
Oversee the month-end process, including reviewing the finance team's work and meeting deadlines.
Produce high-quality monthly management accounts with insightful variance analysis.
Manage the monthly payroll process and related financial controls.
Scrutinize financial controls and drive automation through technology.
Optimize the use of accounting software (Xledger).
Lead the annual audit, including preparation of statutory accounts and resolving queries.
Maintain and update organisational policies relating to finance.
Ensure compliance with tax and other regulatory requirements.
Manage the investment strategy to optimize surplus cash resources.
Manage rolling 12-month cash flow and reduce reliance on financial institutions.
Analyze monthly movements on short-term deposits and produce associated reporting.
Provide cover for finance team colleagues as required.
Undertake other tasks and ad-hoc projects as requested by the Chief Operating Officer.

Requirements

Hold a professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACA/ACCA/CIMA), or be a newly qualified accountant with sufficient experience.
Finance professionals close to becoming fully qualified with sufficient relevant experience may be considered.
Outstanding attention to detail with the ability to think strategically.
Substantial and relevant experience within the not-for-profit sector.
Strong understanding of and practical application of Charities SORP and FRS102 requirements.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to adapt style to various stakeholders.
Ability to build effective relationships across the organisation.
Ability to effectively communicate complex financial matters to non-finance colleagues.
Commitment to driving and seeing through improvements within the finance team.
Flexible approach to work and ability to work well independently and as part of a team.
Passionate about educational disadvantage and The Access Project’s mission.
Committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people.
Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
Commitment to upholding a professional code of ethics.
Must disclose anything listed in their criminal record, with the exception of protected cautions and convictions, as the role involves working with children and young people.
Will be subject to a DBS check appropriate to the job role.

Skills

Demonstrable business partnering experience, preferably in a similar size organisation and business model.
Strong financial control, management accounting, and reporting experience.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Ability to adapt and influence change.
Advanced Excel skills.
Experience using a range of financial reporting tools.
Experience of using a range of accounting software (Xledger desirable).
Good working knowledge of MS Office programmes.
Desire to proactively learn about AI and its application to finance activities.

Location

Hybrid/London office

Work Type

Permanent
Full-time
37.5 hours
Monday to Friday
Flexible working arrangements

Experience Level

Depending on experience
Newly qualified accountants with sufficient experience
Finance professionals that have sufficient relevant experience and are close to becoming fully qualified

Education Level

Professional accounting qualification (e.g. ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Salary/Compensations

£47,000 to £52,000
£3,000 London Weighting (where applicable)

Benefits

25 days annual leave p.a. (pro rata), Bank Holidays and Winter closure (5 days).
PerkBox – offering nationwide shopping discounts, gym memberships, holidays, learning and much more.
Employee Assistance Programme, a 24-hour helpline for staff.
Paid wellbeing day.
Online Medical assistance – access 24/7 to a qualified GP within minutes, with referrals and prescriptions available same-day.
Interest-free travelcard loans.
Cycles scheme loans.
Two paid Volunteering Days.
Employer’s pensions contributions (3%).
CPD options with a business case aligned with strategic objectives.

About the Company

We believe that every young person should have the opportunity to fulfil their potential and make the most of their education.
We’re passionate about reducing the educational barriers our students face, helping them to pursue a career in their chosen field and follow their dreams.
Our mission is to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access top universities, through a unique combination of tuition and in-school mentoring.
We 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.

Equal Opportunity

The Access Project aspires to represent the diversity of communities across the UK at all levels of the organisation and proactively takes steps to support this.
We are committed to creating a culture where the experiences and voices of people from marginalised backgrounds are listened to and valued; where their skills are appreciated; and where their talents are nurtured and encouraged.
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.
Amongst staff at our organization, there is under-representation of people who are Black, Asian or people from ethnic minority backgrounds, disabled, care-experienced, from low socio-economic backgrounds, and who are LGBTQIA+.
We particularly welcome applications from people with lived experience in reference to our mission.
We are proud to be a Level 1 Disability Confident employer.
If you require any reasonable adjustments please contact us.