Specifically, you will:

• Lead the monthly financial close process, ensuring accurate and timely preparation of management accounts and supporting schedules.
• Maintain strong balance sheet reconciliations and internal financial controls, ensuring issues are identified, escalated and resolved promptly.
• Prepare year-end financial statements, supporting schedules and audit working papers.
• Produce ad hoc financial reports and analysis to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Lead the preparation of the charity's annual statutory accounts and Annual Report in accordance with the Charities SORP, FRS 102 and all relevant regulatory requirements.
• Manage the annual external audit process, coordinating information requests, preparing supporting schedules and acting as the principal contact for external auditors.
• Monitor developments in charity accounting and financial reporting standards, assessing their impact on the charity and supporting implementation of new requirements, including SORP 2026.
• Maintain strong technical accounting knowledge and provide guidance on accounting treatments, disclosures and regulatory reporting requirements.
• Support the annual planning, budgeting and forecasting cycle, working with the FP&A team and budget holders to ensure robust assumptions and accurate financial information.
• Produce cashflow analysis and forecasts, supporting oversight of liquidity, reserves and investment cash requirements.
• Build effective relationships with budget holders, supporting financial awareness, accountability and compliance with financial procedures.
• Monitor compliance with approved financial management and procurement procedures.
• Participate in cross-departmental initiatives, ensuring finance input is practical, timely and influential.
• Oversee efficient transaction processing, including receipts, supplier invoices, payments, online donations, sponsorship income and direct debit donation processing.
• Prepare, submit, and monitor all VAT and Gift Aid claims and receipts.
• Oversee payroll, pensions and staff expenses processes, working with internal colleagues and external providers to ensure accuracy, timeliness and compliance
• Monitor bank balances, cash movements and treasury deposits, ensuring funds are managed in line with the charity’s investment policy and cashflow requirements.
• Develop, implement and periodically review finance policies and procedures, ensuring an effective internal control framework is maintained across the charity.
• Support the prevention and detection of fraud, financial error and non-compliance through effective controls, segregation of duties and regular review.
• Provide clear leadership, task management and development support to direct reports, including regular 1:1s, objective setting, feedback and performance review.

About You

To be considered for this role, you will need:

• To be a Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA) - relevant graduate qualification and equivalent business experience.
• To have significant experience of preparing management and statutory accounts together with maintaining robust financial reporting processes, controls and management information systems.
• To have proven experience and understanding of P&L, Balance Sheet and Cash Flow analysis, reporting and forecasting.
• To have proven experience and understanding of managing external audit processes, including coordinating audit deliverables and stakeholder engagement.
• To have significant experience of leading the preparation of statutory accounts and annual reports, preferably within a charity or not-for-profit environment.
• To have strong technical knowledge of the Charities SORP, SOFA presentation requirements, FRS 102 and charity regulatory reporting obligations.
• To have experience of assessing and implementing changes to accounting standards and financial reporting requirements, including regulatory and SORP developments.
• To have strong networking and interpersonal skills.
• To be able to exercise diplomacy and build partnerships and consensus, within teams and among other stakeholders.
• To be commercially astute and able to effectively communicate complex financial data and information to managers with non-financial expertise.
• To be able to report and present complex financial information in an accessible and people friendly way to board members and others who do not have expertise in strategic management and accounts.

Application

Before applying, please read the full role profile linked above.

Yorkshire Cancer Research is a responsible and flexible employer. We welcome any discussion for flexible working at the interview/offer stage where we will consider an individual’s circumstances against the needs of the charity.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates from all backgrounds. If we can make any reasonable adjustments to support your application please contact us.