Group Finance Controller

Are you an experienced Financial Controller looking for a senior finance role where you can combine strong technical expertise with leadership, transformation and genuine social purpose?

YMCA Chiltern Group is looking for an accomplished Group Financial Controller to take the lead on financial control, statutory reporting, audit, treasury and financial operations across our growing and increasingly complex Group.

With annual turnover of more than £40 million, a development programme of approximately £10 million, around 700 colleagues and services operating from approximately 160 sites across three counties, this is an exciting time to join us.

Reporting directly to the Finance Director and working as part of the Senior Leadership Team, you will have the opportunity to shape and strengthen our financial control environment, lead a talented finance team and help ensure our financial systems, processes and reporting continue to evolve alongside the organisation.

The opportunity

This is a broad and influential role combining technical financial leadership with hands-on operational responsibility.

You will lead the Group's financial accounting and transactional finance functions, with responsibility for the integrity of the balance sheet, statutory accounts, external audit, treasury and cash management, tax compliance and financial controls. You will also play a key role in improving and automating finance processes, systems and reporting.

Leading a finance team of nine colleagues, including four direct reports, you will create a culture of high performance, accountability, continuous improvement and excellent customer service.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• leading efficient and accurate month-end and year-end close processes;
• overseeing Group and subsidiary statutory accounts and managing the external audit process;
• maintaining the integrity of the balance sheet and ensuring robust reconciliations and financial controls;
• taking ownership of treasury, liquidity and cash-flow management, including an 18-month rolling cashflow forecast;
• supporting the Finance Director with borrowing facilities, lender reporting, investments and covenant monitoring;
• ensuring compliance across VAT, CIS, PAYE, corporation tax and other applicable financial obligations;
• providing technical accounting leadership and supporting implementation of accounting developments, including FRS 102;
• ensuring the effective operation of financial systems and driving process improvement, automation and finance transformation;
• developing and coaching the financial accounting and transactional finance teams; and
• providing clear financial insight and constructive challenge to senior leaders, operational managers and, where appropriate, Committees and the Board.

About you

We are looking for a qualified accountant with strong technical expertise, substantial post-qualification experience and a track record of operating successfully as a Financial Controller, Head of Finance or in a comparable senior finance role within a complex organisation.

You will bring:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA or similar qualifications, with current professional membership;
• significant experience of financial control, statutory accounts and complex Group audits;
• strong experience of cash-flow forecasting and treasury management;
• sound knowledge of tax compliance and financial regulatory requirements;
• a strong understanding of month-end, balance sheet and financial control processes;
• advanced Excel skills and experience of integrated finance systems;
• excellent analytical skills, with the ability to move comfortably between detailed financial information and the bigger picture;
• strong leadership skills and experience of developing high-performing finance teams;
• the confidence to provide constructive challenge and influence senior stakeholders; and
• the ability to translate complex financial information into clear, practical insight for non-finance colleagues.

Experience within the charity or housing sector, together with knowledge of Charity SORP, Housing SORP and regulated housing requirements, would be particularly valuable.

Why join us?

This role offers the opportunity to:

• take a senior financial leadership role within a substantial and growing charitable Group;
• influence how our finance function develops as the organisation continues to grow;
• lead improvements to financial controls, systems and processes;
• work closely with senior leaders, trustees, auditors, lenders and professional advisers;
• develop and lead an established finance team; and
• use your financial expertise in an organisation delivering meaningful impact across the communities we serve.

Ready for your next challenge?

If you are an experienced finance leader who combines technical excellence with strong leadership, sound judgement and a practical, hands-on approach, we would love to hear from you.

Please submit your CV and supporting statement, explaining how your experience and skills meet the requirements of the role.

Closing date: 25 November 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed

A Basic Disclosure is required for this position. Candidates should also be comfortable working across multiple sites when required.

This is a  Permanent Full Time role

Location: Hatfield (moving to Watford in 2028) ¦ Hybrid working, with 3 to 4 days per week at Central Services and occasional travel to other sites

Hours per week: 37.5

Working Pattern: Monday to Friday

Important information:

We do not provide visa sponsorship; you must be eligible to work in the UK. You must reside in the UK for the duration of your employment and provide Right to Work evidence.

As some of our roles involve working with vulnerable members of society, this position may require a Basic or Enhanced Criminal Disclosure, which will be conducted once a conditional offer is made

Previous Applications: We welcome applications from all qualified candidates. However, if you have applied for a similar role within the last 6 months and were not successful, please consider whether your experience has developed further before reapplying

Accessibility & Adjustments: We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout our recruitment process and will strive to be as accommodating as possible. Please inform us in advance of any arrangements you may need to fully participate in the process.

We are an inclusive organisation and actively promote equality of opportunity for all with the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We do not discriminate on the basis of Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage/Civil Partnership, Pregnancy/Maternity, Race, Religion/Belief, Sex and/or Sexual Orientation. We encourage applications from all backgrounds, communities, and industries, and are committed to having a team that is made up of diverse skills, experiences, and abilities.