Head of Financial Accounting

We are looking to recruit a Chartered Accountant who has proven their ability to lead professional peers within practice and, subsequently, wider teams of finance colleagues in delivering first-class accounting support and counsel within challenging budgetary and time constraints.

The Diocese of London serves more than 3.5 million of the people who live in Greater London, through 479 parish churches, a host of chaplaincies and other projects. Over the past ten years, the Diocese has considerably strengthened strategic activity and operational efficiency in order to continue serving the diverse and vibrant communities of London.

The ongoing provision of first-class service requires that the Finance team continues to function at the highest levels of efficiency and enthusiasm. In order to maintain this, the Diocese is now looking to recruit a Head of Financial Accounting to support the Director of Finance & Operations in several vital areas including:

• The provision of counsel on complex and developing accounting standards and compliance requirements.
• Production of all accounts, leading colleagues in a ‘hands-on’ fashion.
• Liaison with External Auditors in connection with the activities of the Diocese.
• Leading development of internal policies on audit and related matters, supporting the Director of Finance & Operations, in a positive fashion.
• Serving as Secretary to the Finance Committee of the Diocese. This aspect of work involves interacting with the most senior representatives of the Diocese and requires the new recruit to have the highest standards of written and verbal communication.
• Management of a team of highly capable and professional colleagues.

The Diocesan Finance team communicates with all areas of the Diocese and externally. Thus the Head of Financial Accounting will have a high profile and challenging remit. Success will provide considerable opportunity for career development.

You will have proven your capability, through your training to become a Chartered Accountant and subsequent management of colleagues (having moved beyond practice into a challenging commercial or Not for Profit environment).

• It is vital that you can demonstrate that you can produce statutory accounts to the highest standards (especially as the Diocese complies with Corporate, Charity and Ecclesiastical requirements). Similarly, you should be comfortable addressing challenging and complex technical questions about best practice.
• You will be highly computer literate, as this role draws together information drawn from a range of systems.
• You will have superb communication skills, as this role involves liaising with people at all levels within the Diocese and beyond.

This role will challenge a highly capable individual who should be prepared to demonstrate their professional and wider qualities in a positive and enthusiastic fashion. If you feel that you have these qualities, along with the requisite determination, competence and enthusiasm to succeed, then this is a superb opportunity for significant career-development.

To apply please send your current CV to the retained consultant, Mark Wheatley through email. If you have questions please call Mark on phone.