Interim Finance Director
Posted 2 weeks ago by Trace | Expert Accountancy & Finance Recruitment
£80,000 Per year
Outside
Hybrid
London Area, United Kingdom
Summary: The Interim Director of Finance role is a three-month contract position at a higher education institution in London, offering a salary of approximately £80,000. The successful candidate will oversee the finance function, ensuring compliance and strategic support during a transitional period. This hands-on role requires an experienced finance professional with a background in higher education, capable of leading a small team and engaging with senior leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Act as the senior financial lead and main point of contact for auditors, statutory bodies, and validating partners.
- Ensure timely and accurate regulatory reporting.
- Lead on the preparation of the Annual Return to the Office for Students.
- Produce the 5 year forecast.
- Manage the full finance function, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, risk management, and compliance.
- Oversee the preparation of annual accounts and the year-end audit process through to approval.
- Work with leadership and trustees to ensure a robust and sustainable financial plan.
- Lead the annual budget process and provide clear financial analysis for decision-makers.
- Manage payroll, pensions, and all aspects of taxation (VAT, Theatre Tax Relief, PAYE).
- Support the development of financial models for new activities and initiatives.
Key Skills:
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
- Proven experience in higher education finance.
- Skilled at leading and developing a small team.
- Confident working with senior leadership and boards.
- Comfortable in a hands-on, multifaceted finance role.
Salary (Rate): £80,000.00 yearly
City: London
Country: United Kingdom
Working Arrangements: hybrid
IR35 Status: outside IR35
Seniority Level: Senior
Industry: Finance
Interim Director of Finance (3-Month Contract) - c£80,000 or equiv day rate – London & Hybrid
An established and forward-thinking higher education institution is seeking an Interim Director of Finance for an initial three-month assignment. Reporting directly to the senior leadership team, you will oversee a small finance function and take responsibility for all aspects of financial management, compliance, and strategic support during a key transitional period. This is a hands-on, varied role that covers both commercial and technical finance. It would suit an experienced finance professional with a background in higher education (ideally within an SME environment) who is comfortable leading a small team and contributing at both strategic and operational levels.
- Key Responsibilities
- Act as the senior financial lead and main point of contact for auditors, statutory bodies, and validating partners.
- Ensure timely and accurate regulatory reporting.
- Lead on the preparation of the Annual Return to the Office for Students.
- Produce the 5 year forecast.
- Manage the full finance function, including budgeting, forecasting, reporting, risk management, and compliance.
- Oversee the preparation of annual accounts and the year-end audit process through to approval.
- Work with leadership and trustees to ensure a robust and sustainable financial plan.
- Lead the annual budget process and provide clear financial analysis for decision-makers.
- Manage payroll, pensions, and all aspects of taxation (VAT, Theatre Tax Relief, PAYE).
- Support the development of financial models for new activities and initiatives.
Candidate Profile
- Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
- Proven experience in higher education finance.
- Skilled at leading and developing a small team.
- Confident working with senior leadership and boards.
- Comfortable in a hands-on, multifaceted finance role.
This is an excellent opportunity to provide leadership and stability while supporting the organisation through a period of change.