Director of Finance

We are seeking an experienced, values-led Director of Finance (Fractional) to provide strategic financial leadership and strengthen the organisation’s financial planning, governance, reporting and control. This is a executive part-time role working closely with the Chief Executive, Board and leadership team to ensure the organisation remains financially sustainable, compliant and able to deliver its mission effectively.

The successful candidate will bring sound judgement, technical expertise and the ability to translate financial information into clear, practical insight for decision-making. They will support budget setting, forecasting, risk management, audit preparation, statutory reporting and financial policy development, with responsibility for charity finance in Scotland, including restricted and unrestricted funds, reserves, grant reporting, funder requirements, Scottish charity law and OSCR compliance.

This role is ideal for a qualified finance professional who is values led and enjoys working strategically and collaboratively in a mission-driven Scottish charity environment and who can provide high-quality leadership on a fractional basis.

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Objectives of this role

• Provide strategic financial leadership to support organisational sustainability, resilience and growth.
• Ensure robust financial governance, internal controls and compliance with relevant Scottish charity law, OSCR requirements, company law, funder, tax and regulatory requirements.
• Lead the development of budgets, forecasts and long-term financial plans aligned with organisational priorities, including restricted and unrestricted income streams.
• Provide clear financial analysis, advice and reporting to the Chief Executive, Board, trustees/directors and senior leadership team.
• Strengthen financial systems, processes and policies to improve efficiency, transparency and accountability.
• Support effective reserves planning, cash-flow management, risk management and resource allocation across the organisation.
• Ensure charity finance information is accurate, accessible and useful for governance, fundraising, project delivery, OSCR reporting and strategic decision-making.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues and external advisers to ensure finance enables, rather than constrains, delivery of the organisation’s mission.

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Your tasks

• Lead annual budgeting and regular reforecasting processes, working with budget holders to ensure realistic and accountable financial plans.
• Prepare and present management accounts, financial dashboards, cash-flow forecasts and narrative reports for the Chief Executive, Board and relevant committees.
• Advise on financial strategy, reserves, investment, pricing, funding models, cost control and scenario planning.
• Oversee year-end accounts, audit preparation and liaison with external accountants, auditors, banks, funders, OSCR and other regulators as required.
• Ensure accurate accounting and reporting for restricted funds, unrestricted funds, designated funds, grants, donations, contracts and project-based income.
• Support grant budgeting, funder reporting, full cost recovery, financial monitoring of funded projects and compliance with donor or funder conditions.
• Review and improve financial policies, procedures, delegations, controls and reporting frameworks.
• Support compliance with statutory filing, payroll, pensions, VAT, tax, Scottish charity reporting, OSCR annual returns and other financial obligations relevant to the organisation.
• Provide financial input into funding bids, contracts, business cases and major organisational decisions.
• Coach and support finance staff, managers and budget holders to build financial confidence and capability.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities and efficiencies, and recommend practical actions to address them.
• Attend leadership, Board or committee meetings as required, providing concise and accessible financial information.

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Required skills and qualifications

• Qualified accountant, or equivalent senior finance experience, with a recognised professional accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent.
• Significant experience in a senior finance leadership role, ideally as a Finance Director, Head of Finance, CFO or similar.
• Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, management accounts, statutory accounts, audit and financial controls.
• Demonstrable understanding of Scottish charity finance, including restricted funds, unrestricted funds, reserves, grant reporting, funder compliance, charity accounts and OSCR requirements.
• Experience advising senior leaders and Boards on financial performance, risk, sustainability and strategic decision-making.
• Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly to non-finance audiences.
• Sound understanding of Scottish financial compliance requirements relevant to charities and not-for-profit organisations, including Scottish charity law, OSCR reporting, company, tax, payroll or pensions obligations where applicable.
• High level of integrity, discretion and professional judgement.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and ability to prioritise effectively within a fractional working arrangement.
• Collaborative, supportive working style with the confidence to challenge constructively.
• Competence with finance systems, spreadsheets and reporting tools.

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Preferred skills and qualifications

• Experience working in the Scottish charity, voluntary, public benefit or mission-led sector.
• Knowledge of Scottish charity finance, restricted funds, unrestricted funds, designated funds, grant reporting, reserves policies, full cost recovery, funder requirements and OSCR expectations.
• Experience preparing or reviewing charity accounts, trustees’ annual reports, OSCR annual returns, SORP-related information or funder financial returns.
• Experience working successfully on a fractional, interim or consultancy basis.
• Experience improving finance systems, reporting processes or internal controls.
• Understanding of Scottish charity governance requirements and experience supporting Boards, trustees or finance committees.
• Experience supporting organisational change, growth, restructuring or sustainability planning.
• Ability to mentor or develop finance staff and strengthen financial capability across teams.
• Comfortable working flexibly, independently and pragmatically in a mid-sized organisation.

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How to Apply

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