Finance Lead

Mitcham, Surrey
Merton Connected (Merton Voluntary Service Council)

About the role

This is a role for an experienced financial leader who can think strategically to ensure financial sustainability and resilience. You will enjoy being part of a mission driven team, be able to translate numbers into insight, and understand the importance of relationships, collaboration and trust.

Who We Are

Merton Connected strengthens the voluntary, community and faith sector and supports organisations across the borough through training, advice, volunteering and partnership building. We pioneered social prescribing in Merton, now embedded in every GP practice for over a decade, and deliver services including Healthwatch Merton, the Home Visits Library and Merton Giving, the borough’s place-based giving scheme.

Our new Strategy sets out a bold vision: A borough recognised for resilience, inclusion and community connection. To achieve this, we need strong internal foundations, and that includes a confident, people centred Finance Manager who can help us grow sustainably, work collaboratively, and prepare for the challenges facing the sector.

Our strategy commits us to being:

• A Convenor – bringing people together.
• A Capacity Builder – strengthening organisations.
• An Incubator – developing new ideas.
• An Amplifier – making community voices heard.

To deliver this, we need financial leadership that is:

• Strategic but not disruptive
• Supportive, not siloed.
• Collaborative, not transactional
• Forward looking and resilient

You will help ensure Merton Connected remains financially strong, transparent, and sustainable for the future while maintaining excellent relationships with partners, funders, commissioners and community organisations.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Financial Leadership

• Support long term financial planning, scenario modelling, and risk management, including exploring income diversification.
• Ensure financial systems remain proportionate, efficient, and aligned with our strategic pillars.
• Help the organisation prepare for sector wide challenges such as rising demand, funding pressures, and increased complexity.
• Support the Quarterly Finance Sub Committee Meetings and attend Board Meetings

Annual Accounts and Audit

• Prepare year end accounts in line with the Charities SORP.
• Work closely with auditors to ensure a smooth, timely audit process.
• Draft the financial commentary for the Trustees’ Annual Report.
• Ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, including Charity Commission, Companies House, and HMRC.

Oversight of Day to Day Finance Operations

• Produce clear, accurate quarterly management accounts and cash flow forecasts with meaningful commentary.
• Work closely with the Assistant Accountant, providing them with support and direction.
• Maintain oversight of income, expenditure, payroll, reconciliations, and journals.
• Ensure robust tracking of restricted funds, project budgets, and grant reporting.
• Strengthen internal controls and financial procedures.

Building Strong Relationships Across the Organisation

• Work collaboratively with department leads, supporting them to understand budgets and forecasts.
• Communicate financial information to colleagues and the Board in a clear, supportive, and accessible way.
• Contribute to a positive, team centred culture that reflects our values of Empowering, Collaborative and Inclusive.

Customer relations with partners and funders

• Provide timely, accurate financial information for commissioners, funders, and partners.
• Build confidence with stakeholders through professionalism, clarity, and responsiveness.
• Support collaborative funding bids, shared investment pathways, and partnership led projects – aligning with our Convenor and Incubator roles.

Support innovation and organisational development

• Work with Head of Operations to develop and embed robust and effective financial systems
• Help us test new approaches, pilot ideas, and strengthen our internal resilience.
• Ensure financial systems support accurate and timely information, as well as innovation and collaboration.
• Contribute to business planning, strategic development, and organisational learning.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Experience producing management accounts and year end accounts in the charity sector.
• Strong understanding of restricted funds, project accounting, and the Charities SORP.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills – able to build trust with colleagues, trustees, and partners.
• A collaborative, team centred approach.
• Ability to think strategically and anticipate future challenges.
• Commitment to our values: Empowering, Collaborative, Inclusive.
• Ability to present reports to the Finance Sub Committee and Board
• Ability to represent the organisation with funders stakeholders when needed.
• Familiarity with MS Office applications including Word, Excel, Teams and Sharepoint
• Commitment to confidentiality, safeguarding, equality and diversity.

Desirable

• Experience in infrastructure, health, community, or multi funded charities.
• Familiarity with NHS/ICB (Integrated Care Board) funded programmes or local authority contracts.
• Experience with cloud based accounting systems such as Xero, Sage or QuickBooks
• Understanding of the voluntary sector landscape and its emerging pressures.

Who This Role Is Perfect For

Someone who:

• Brings solid charity financial management and reporting experience.
• Enjoys being part of a friendly, purpose driven team.
• Communicates well with non finance colleagues.
• Can balance strategic thinking with hands on oversight.
• Values relationships as much as spreadsheets.
• Wants to help build a more resilient, connected, and inclusive Merton