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Financial Controller

£47,000–£52,000 depending on experience, plus £3,000 London Weighting where applicable
  • London
  • Charities

Financial Controller

The Access Project
Salary: £47,000–£52,000 depending on experience, plus £3,000 London Weighting where applicable
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full-time, 37.5 hours per week
Location: Hybrid / London

The Access Project 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 students face, helping them pursue careers in their chosen fields and follow their dreams. Our mission is to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds in gaining admission to top universities through a unique combination of tuition and in-school mentoring.

We are now seeking a Financial Controller to play a pivotal role in strengthening our financial management, controls and insight, ensuring colleagues across the organisation have the information and confidence they need to make effective decisions.

 

The role

As Financial Controller, you will sit at the heart of financial management at The Access Project, leading the Finance Team and working closely with the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Team, budget holders and colleagues across the organisation.

You will be responsible for maintaining a strong financial control environment while improving the quality of financial insight available to senior leaders, Trustees and non-finance colleagues.

You will:

  • Lead budgeting, forecasting and multi-year financial planning aligned with organisational strategy
  • Partner with budget holders, providing clear financial insight, support, training and constructive challenge
  • Produce high-quality management information and commentary for the Executive Team, Finance Committee and Trustees
  • Own and continually strengthen financial controls, including month-end processes, reconciliations, payroll controls and finance policies
  • Lead preparation for the annual audit, statutory accounts and relevant annual-report information
  • Work closely with Sales and Partnerships colleagues on fundraising pipelines, income projections, funding applications and reporting to funders
  • Maintain strong oversight of restricted funding and ensure compliance with Charities SORP and FRS102
  • Manage cash-flow forecasting, treasury activity and investment oversight in line with organisational policies
  • Improve financial systems, reporting tools and processes, including optimising Xledger and identifying appropriate opportunities for automation and technology
  • Lead and develop the Finance Team while strengthening financial understanding across the wider organisation

 

About you

You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent), although newly qualified candidates with the right experience may also be considered.

You will bring:

  • Strong financial control, management accounting, budgeting and reporting experience
  • Practical knowledge of Charities SORP, FRS102 and restricted funding
  • The ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical insight
  • Confidence working with senior leaders, Trustees, budget holders and non-finance colleagues
  • Strong relationship-building and business-partnering skills
  • A track record of improving financial systems, controls and processes
  • Strong analytical skills and advanced Excel capability
  • The ability to combine attention to detail with a broader strategic perspective

Experience of Xledger would be advantageous but is not essential.

Above all, you will be motivated by The Access Project’s mission and share our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and to safeguarding young people.

 

Our commitment to inclusion

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 organisation, 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. The Access Project is a Level 1 Disability Confident employer, and reasonable adjustments are available throughout the recruitment process.

 

Further Information

To view the full details of the role and access the candidate information pack, please click the link here:

For an informal discussion about the opportunity or if you require additional support with your application, please contact Alex Williams at Giving Back Recruitment alex@givingbackrecruitment.co.uk

 

How to apply

Click the ‘Apply Now’ button and submit your CV along with a Supporting Statement.

Your Supporting Statement should address the following:

1. Motivation for applying: Please outline your motivation for applying for the Financial Controller position at The Access Project and explain what particularly interests you about the role and organisation.

2. Our Values: The Access Project is a values-driven organisation. With reference to one of our Values, please provide an example of how you have demonstrated this value in your work.

Maximum 200 words.

Recruitment timetable:

Closing date: 2 September 2026
Interviews with The Access Project: 11 and 14 September 2026
 

The recruitment window may close earlier if sufficient suitable applications are received.