Head of Finance

Department: Finance
Reports to: Executive Director
Additional accountability: National Treasurer (UKIM) and Chair, Finance & General-Purposes Committee (Trustees' sub-committee)
Location: UKIM Central Office, European Islamic Centre, 79 Manchester Road, Oldham, OL8 4LN (with occasional UK travel)
Contract: Permanent (or 2-year fixed-term)
Hours: 37.5 hours per week
Salary: £34,000-£48,000 per annum (depending on skills and experience)
Annual leave: 27 days (including 2 x days for Eid)
Pension: Auto-enrolment pension scheme with employer contribution
Probation: 6 months (extendable); formal reviews at 3 and 6 months against agreed objectives
Notice: 1 month during probation; 3 months thereafter
SMT: Member of the Senior Management Team (SMT); attends F&GPC/Board by invitation for finance items
Line management: 2 Senior Finance Officers, 1 Finance Officer, 1 Finance Assistant; oversight of external auditors/consultants

About UKIM

UK Islamic Mission (UKIM) is one of the UK's longest-established Muslim charities, founded in 1962. We are a national organisation with around 60 branches across England, Scotland and Wales, delivering community services, education, welfare projects, and faith-based initiatives. Each week, thousands of people engage with our mosques, centres, and activities.

Role purpose

The Head of Finance leads UKIM's finance function, ensuring robust financial governance, transparent reporting, and compliant operations across central office, departments, and branches. The postholder is the organisation's technical lead for SORP-compliant reporting, internal controls, budgeting and forecasting, treasury, and financial risk management, enabling UKIM to deliver its charitable objectives sustainably. The post holder will work closely with, and be accountable to, the UKIM Treasurer in maintaining effective financial oversight and governance across the organisation.

Key responsibilities

• Lead UKIM's finance function including financial planning, budgeting, forecasting and reporting.
• Preparation of annual statutory accounts in timely manner for annual audit and submission to charities commission and Companies house.
• Close liaising with auditors of the organization for timely completion of audit of accounts
• Prepare and present timely and accurate monthly management accounts, variance analysis and financial commentary to the Executive Director, F&GPC and Board.
• Oversee accounts team both at head office and branches.
• Oversee year-end statutory accounts (GAAP/SORP/FRS 102) and manage the audit process.
• Ensure compliance with Charity Commission, Companies House and HMRC (including PAYE, Corporation Tax, VAT and Gift Aid).
• Strengthen and embed financial controls, policies and procedures; oversee branch finance support and consolidation.
• Monitor cash flow and reserves; manage banking relationships; provide investment and treasury advice aligned to risk appetite.
• Ensure accurate payroll, PAYE and pension contributions.
• Provide financial modelling and analysis to support strategic planning, bids, tenders and capital/ international projects.
• Lead and develop the finance team, including objective-setting, reviews and CPD.
• Coordinate internal and external audit programmes; maintain a proportionate financial risk register and mitigation actions.
• Champion the effective use of finance systems (e.g., modern cloud accounting) and data quality across UKIM.
• Work collaboratively with departmental leads and Zonal/Branch leads to build local financial capability and consistent standards.

The post holder may be required to undertake other reasonable duties within the scope of their role and in line with the needs of UKIM.

Person specification

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience.
• Track record leading finance in a charity or complex multi-site setting; knowledge of Charity SORP, GAAP, VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax, Gift Aid and charity law.
• Demonstrable experience of improving financial controls, processes and management information.
• Strong analytical skills; advanced Excel and competence with modern accounting/ERP systems.
• Able to work with different accounting software(s) including iPlicit.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to explain complex information to non-finance stakeholders.
• People management experience and commitment to coaching and developing teams.
• High integrity, sound judgement and a collaborative approach.

Desirable

• Experience supporting branch-based or federated charity structures.
• Experience in capital projects and programme/grant finance.
• Familiarity with dashboarding/BI tools.

Safeguarding, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

UKIM is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults at risk. All staff must follow our safeguarding policies and complete mandatory training.

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, including those underrepresented in the charity sector. We will make reasonable adjustments for candidates with disabilities or other needs during the recruitment process and in employment.

As a faith-based charity, this role requires alignment with UKIM's charitable aims and values, in line with the Equality Act 2010.

Appointment is subject to satisfactory right-to-work, references, qualification verification, and (role-appropriate) Basic/Standard DBS and financial probity/credit checks.

How to apply

Closing date: 24th October 2026. We may close early if sufficient suitable applications are received.
Right to work: We do not sponsor visas. Applicants must already have the right to work in the UK.