Financial Controller

Financial Controller

Location: Hybrid working based at Brugess Hill, with some travel to other Brainkind locations
Salary: £58,000- £65,000 per annum (dependent on experience)
Hours: Full Time, 35 hours per week, Monday to Friday

Join Brainkind and help shape the future of care through financial insight and strategic partnering.

At Brainkind, our mission is to improve the lives of people with brain injuries and neurological conditions through specialist care, rehabilitation, and support. We are looking for a commercially minded Finance Business Partner to join our Finance team and help drive financial performance, informed decision-making, and sustainable growth across the organisation.

About the role

The Financial Controller is responsible for ensuring the effective financial management, control and reporting of Brainkind's financial affairs, providing accurate, timely and reliable financial information to support decision-making across the organisation.

Working closely with the Head of Finance and Strategic Finance and Business Partnering Manager, the role will lead on financial accounting, statutory accounts, audit, balance sheet integrity and financial controls, ensuring that robust processes and procedures are in place and consistently applied across the organisation. You will be responsible for a team of 3 direct reports, Financial Accountant, AP and AR Team Leads.

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Lead the financial accounting function, ensuring all financial transactions are accurately and promptly recorded, maintaining the integrity of the general ledger, balance sheet and underlying financial records
• Oversee monthly and year-end financial close processes, ensuring all reconciliations, supporting documentation and review procedures are completed accurately, to a consistently high standard and within agreed timescales, in accordance with relevant legislation, accounting standards and best practice
• Take ownership of balance sheet integrity and control, ensuring all significant balances are regularly reviewed, reconciled and supported by appropriate documentation, with reconciling items and potential risks identified, investigated and resolved promptly
• Maintain and develop a robust financial control environment, ensuring appropriate financial policies, procedures and delegated authorities are in place, consistently applied and regularly reviewed
• Manage the external audit process, acting as the key finance contact and ensuring the timely provision of information, effective coordination of audit activity and resolution of audit queries
• Lead the preparation of the annual statutory accounts, including coordinating the wider annual report, relevant disclosures and all associated year-end processes and deadlines
• Oversee the financial management and statutory compliance of all legal entities, ensuring all relevant regulatory and statutory filing requirements are met, including Charity Commission reporting, Companies House filings, National Statistics returns and tax compliance matters such as VAT and Corporation Tax
• Lead the management of banking and investment relationships, ensuring effective oversight of banking arrangements and investment activity and the maintenance of accurate and up-to-date financial information
• Ensure effective treasury management and financial control, overseeing weekly cash flow monitoring and forecasting to maintain appropriate liquidity, optimise cash balances and ensure the organisation's cash position is effectively managed in support of its wider financial planning and operational requirements
• Manage, support and develop members of the Financial Accounting, Accounts Receivable and Accounts Payable teams, providing clear direction, setting expectations and promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement
• Provide oversight of the Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable functions, ensuring effective processes, appropriate financial controls and timely processing of transactions. Oversee the production and review of key reports, including monthly aged creditor and debtor analysis, to support effective cash flow management and working capital control
• Take responsibility for the maintenance and ongoing development of financial policies and procedures, ensuring they remain fit for purpose, reflect charity sector good practice and support a consistent approach to financial management across the organisation
• Support the implementation, development and ongoing optimisation of finance systems, ensuring they meet the organisation's reporting and control requirements, while identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, strengthen processes and reduce manual work through automation, standardisation and better use of system functionality
• Undertake ad-hoc projects as identified by the head of finance, executive director of finance & business or other members of the senior leadership team, together with any other duties reasonably appropriate to the level and responsibilities of the role.

About you

• Qualified accountant - ACCA, CIMA, ACA or CIPFA or qualified by experience (ACCA preferred)
• Charity or not-for-profit experience - understanding how the accounts are done
• Strong technical financial accounting
• Experience preparing the annual report and working comfortably with external auditors
• Team leadership and the softer skills to work alongside the wider finance teams.

Nice to have, but strongly preferred

• Social care or healthcare background
• Experience of finance system implementation or change

Other Responsibilities

• Promote a culture of financial accountability, transparency and responsible stewardship of charitable resources
• Have a flexible approach to work, willing to play a full role in ensuring the success of the Finance team
• Work collaboratively with the Head of Finance, Strategic Finance and Business Partnering team, Operational teams and other departments to ensure a joined-up approach to financial management

• Support the Head of Finance, the Executive Director Finance & Business and other members of the ELT and SLT, as needed
• Responsibility for the recruitment and management of direct and indirect reports, ensuring they are developed and motivated to meet the needs of the organisation
• To undertake, any reasonable travelling requirements, in order to fulfil the tasks and responsibilities of the role.

Personal Development, Supervision and Training

• Keep updated and informed of best social care and leadership practice and ensure that innovation is promoted and poor practice is challenged in all areas and provide relevant professional judgement, information and advice to Trustees, Directors, and Managers
• Participate in regular support and supervision from line management
• Continuously develop professional knowledge and expertise, attending and participating in learning and development events, meetings, conferences, and events (as requested/approved by line management) to ensure up to date knowledge relevant to the role
• Attend and participate in regular team and other meetings, both internal and external

Policies and Procedures

• The post holder will be expected, at all times, to be familiar and comply with the written policies, procedures and guidelines for good practice, issued by Brainkind
• Take personal responsibility for own health and safety and report incidents and potential hazards as necessary

Values, Ethics and Confidentiality

To adhere to the Code of Ethics and the relevant professional practice guidelines of the British Psychological Society, Health Care Professions Council and the professional guidance framework of Brainkind.

When working for Brainkind all employees are required to work responsibly and be accountable for their actions, upholding dignity and the rights and health and wellbeing of the people we support and our colleagues.

This is achieved by ensuring that Brainkind’s values and behaviours are demonstrated in everything we do, and this creates the culture of Brainkind.

To be aware of Equality Diversity & Inclusion characteristics and ensure that these are considered appropriately throughout all work undertaken.

Brainkind are a Disability Confident Employer. As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy. Brainkind is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive organisation. It is a place where we recognise, celebrate, and live our values which includes offering a range of inclusive employment policies and staff engagement forums to support employees from all backgrounds.

Ready to lead change and make a difference?

Click Apply Now and join our friendly team

We’re interviewing on a rolling basis, so apply early to avoid missing out!
The successful candidate will undergo compliance checks including references and DBS/PVG.

We also put a big focus on employee wellbeing and support. It matters to us that you feel at your best. Career development is a priority. We will ensure you get the training and learning opportunities you need to achieve your goals.