Head of Finance
Are you an experienced finance professional who enjoys getting into the detail, improving processes and making a real difference?
We’re looking for a Head of Finance to lead our finance function at an exciting time for Action for Carers Surrey. As we develop our new strategic plan and continue to evolve as an organisation, you’ll play a key role in ensuring our finances, systems and processes support our ambitions.
This is a genuinely hands-on role, ideal for a qualified Finance Manager or experienced finance professional who enjoys combining operational delivery with continuous improvement. You’ll oversee management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, payroll and governance, while identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls and improve financial insight across the organisation.
If you enjoy variety, like seeing the direct impact of your work, and want to use your expertise within a purpose-led organisation that values collaboration, innovation and continuous improvement, this could be the role for you.
We’d love to hear from you if you have:
✅ A recognised accountancy qualification (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
✅ Significant experience in a hands-on finance leadership or Finance Manager role.
✅ Experience producing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and financial reports.
✅ Strong financial systems and IT skills, ideally including Xero.
✅ Experience overseeing payroll, pensions and financial controls.
✅ A track record of improving processes, streamlining ways of working and driving efficiencies.
✅ Experience managing or supporting staff and developing positive working relationships.
✅ Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain financial information to non-finance colleagues.
✅ A collaborative, solutions-focused approach and a commitment to organisational values.
Key Information
📍 Location: Burpham, Guildford with hybrid working available
🕒 Hours: 22 hours per week, ideally spread across four days
💼 Contract: Permanent
💷 Salary: £46,956 – £50,471 FTE
👤 Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer
Why Join Us?
This is an opportunity to take ownership of a broad and varied finance role within a charity that makes a meaningful difference to unpaid carers across Surrey.
You’ll have the opportunity to:
💙 Use your finance expertise to support an organisation with a clear social purpose.
🔧 Review and improve processes, systems and controls across the finance function.
📊 Produce meaningful financial information that helps drive effective decision-making.
🤝 Work closely with colleagues across the organisation and build strong relationships with Trustees and senior leaders.
📈 Play an important role in supporting the development and delivery of our future plans.
Why Work with Us?
At Action for Carers Surrey, we’re committed to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where every colleague can thrive. Our benefits reflect our values of Focus, Inclusion, Respect and Excellence, ensuring you feel valued, supported and empowered in both your work and personal life.
Our benefits include:
🏖️ Generous annual leave
28 days plus Bank Holidays for full-time colleagues, rising to 31 days with length of service.
🤒 Company sick pay from day one
Because your wellbeing matters.
🤝 Paid carers’ leave
Recognising and supporting colleagues with caring responsibilities.
🌍 Paid volunteering leave
Up to two days per year to support a cause that matters to you.
🎉 Personal celebration day
An additional paid day to celebrate a birthday, family milestone or other special occasion.
🩺 HSF Health Plan membership
Including healthcare support, Perkbox discounts and rewards, and access to an Employee Assistance Programme.
💉 Flu jab reimbursement scheme
Helping you look after your health and wellbeing.
💷 Employee payroll loan scheme
Providing support with unexpected expenses when needed.
📈 Pension scheme
With Smart Pension, helping you plan for your future.
🎊 Bringing people together
Including our annual employee conference and summer social event, giving colleagues opportunities to connect, collaborate and celebrate our collective impact.
💙 Staff Carers Group
Offering connection, understanding and peer support from colleagues who have caring responsibilities.
📧 To Apply
Please send your CV and a cover letter to:
In your cover letter, please answer the following two questions:
1️⃣ Tell us about your experience leading a finance function or managing financial operations. What have been your key responsibilities and achievements, and how have you helped improve financial processes or organisational performance?
2️⃣ This role combines strategic financial leadership with hands-on operational responsibility. Please provide an example of a time when you identified and implemented a change that improved financial controls, efficiency or decision-making within an organisation.
📝 To help us review applications fairly, please keep each answer to 300 words or fewer.
📅 Recruitment Process
We review applications as they are received and may contact and interview suitable candidates before the advertised closing date.
If you’re interested in the role, we encourage you to apply as soon as possible, as we reserve the right to close the vacancy early and appoint a successful candidate ahead of the closing date.
⏰ Application deadline: Midnight, Sunday 20th September 2026.
☎️ Telephone screening (subject to application volumes): Conducted throughout the advertising period.
👥 First-round interviews: Likely to take place across Tuesday 22nd and Wednesday 23rd September 2026.
📝 As part of the first-round interview, candidates will be asked to complete a short technical finance task.
👥 Final-round interviews: Tuesday 29th September 2026.
Safeguarding Statement
Action for Carers Surrey is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults. We expect all colleagues and volunteers to share this commitment.
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