Financial Controller

Your new companyThis is an exciting opportunity to join an organisation within Oxfordshire's higher education network. The purpose of the role is to own the finance function and present financial data to high level stakeholders including the organisation's founder and director.Your new roleAs the successful candidate, your responsibilities will include:

• Provide senior level leadership in shaping financial strategy, demonstrating resilience, authenticity and strong engagement with colleagues.
• Oversee accurate and efficient financial processing and reporting across the organisation and its subsidiaries.
• Act as a trusted business partner to senior leaders and budget holders, ensuring they receive timely, reliable financial insight to support decision making.
• Lead change initiatives, including the introduction and optimisation of financial systems and processes to improve efficiency and reporting timelines.
• Develop policies that support income generation and long-term financial growth.
• Lead and manage the finance team, ensuring effective, compliant and high-performing financial operations.
• Deliver comprehensive financial, management and fund reporting in line with monthly and annual timetables, and present results to relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting cycle, ensuring variances are analysed and addressed.
• Manage cashflow and working capital, providing accurate and timely forecasts to governance bodies.
• Oversee the review, procurement, implementation and maintenance of financial systems and processes to enhance efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Maintain a complete financial procedures manual and ensure robust financial controls, including monthly balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and statutory requirements, including HMRC, Charity Commission and Companies House filings.
• Maintain detailed fund reporting, including endowment, restricted and designated funds, ensuring correct categorisation of income.
• Oversee financial management of capital projects and ensure accurate, compliant monthly payroll operations.
• Prepare or review year-end financial statements and statutory returns, and act as primary contact for external auditors.
• Support compliance and governance activities, including preparing guidance for financial reserve and trust related policies.
• Provide line management, training and development for finance staff, and handle ad hoc financial queries and tasks as required.

What you'll need to succeedTo be the successful candidate, you will need:

• ACCA, CIMA or equivalent accountancy and finance qualification.
• Strong background in financial control within group structures or charitable organisations, with deep knowledge of financial systems, ledgers and reporting.
• Proven experience developing financial procedures and controls in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Significant experience leading financial aspects of capital or infrastructure projects and managing system related change.
• Excellent written, verbal and presentation skills, able to communicate complex financial matters clearly at all organisational levels.
• Strong relationship builder with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and drive organisational change.
• Experienced people manager with a track record of developing, motivating and succession planning for finance teams.

What you'll get in returnAs the successful candidate, you will receive:

• £65,000-£75,000 annual salary
• Comprehensive benefits package through affiliation with the University
• Free lunches
• On-site parking

What you need to do nowIf you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now.If this job isn't quite right for you but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion on your career.

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