Interim Head of Finance

Are you an experienced Head of Finance within Social Housing looking for your next interim challenge? Do you enjoy bringing structure, stability and leadership to organisations going through significant change? Can you confidently oversee financial reporting, service charges, regulatory returns and systems improvements while supporting a busy finance team?

Robertson Bell are supporting a London Housing Association in the appointment of an Interim Head of Finance on an initial 3–6 month contract. This is a key leadership role reporting into the senior leadership team, providing operational and technical finance leadership during a period of organisational change. The organisation has recently experienced several senior leadership changes, is preparing for regulatory scrutiny and is working through a number of finance and systems improvement projects.

Key responsibilities include:

• Providing leadership to the finance function and providing oversight to a finance team encouraging internal progression to its staff
• Reviewing and improving financial controls, reconciliations, procedures and process documentation across the department
• Overseeing month-end reporting, ensuring accuracy and supporting the continued development of reporting processes and templates
• Managing regulatory reporting requirements including VAT returns, NROSH submissions and other statutory obligations
• Providing oversight and support around service charge accounting, including completion of actuals and resolution of coding issues
• Supporting key finance systems projects, including testing, configuration reviews, process mapping, training preparation and implementation activities
• Approving financial transactions and journals, providing senior sign-off and support to the wider finance team
• Supporting budget monitoring, forecasting and reforecasting activities across the organisation

This role offers the opportunity to make a genuine impact within an organisation that is navigating a complex period of change. There is significant scope to improve processes, strengthen controls, support system implementation projects and help establish a more sustainable operating model for the finance function. You will work closely with senior stakeholders and play a critical role in helping the organisation address current challenges while creating a stronger platform for the future.

The role will require attendance in the office twice per week. This role is being recruited outside IR35.

To be considered, please meet these criteria:

• Fully qualified accountant with proven experience operating at Head of Finance or Senior Accountant level within a Social Housing organisation (essential)
• Strong knowledge of Housing Association financial reporting and regulatory requirements
• Experience overseeing service charge accounting and reporting (ideal)
• Track record of improving financial processes, controls and governance arrangements
• Experience supporting finance systems implementations, upgrades or optimisation projects
• Ability to operate effectively in a changing environment and manage multiple priorities simultaneously
• Strong stakeholder management and team leadership skills

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so please submit your CV promptly to avoid missing out on this opportunity.