Thames Hospice

Head of Financial Accounting Systems & Control

The closing date is 31 March 2026

Job summary

Thames Hospice is seeking an experienced and values driven Head of Financial Accounting, Systems & Control to play a pivotal role in ensuring our financial sustainability and supporting our mission to provide quality of life, to the end of life, for everyone.

Main duties of the job

As one team we raise money, support each other whether in clinical teams, or corporate services to ensure everything runs efficiently and smoothly and delivers the best outcome for our patients and their families.

You will have a critical role in providing financial leadership to the Hospice. You will be responsible for management of the financial systems (Access Evo and associated feeder systems), the underpinning transactional processes, and for preparing statutory accounts and other financial returns. You will ensure the Hospice operates within a robust financial control environment, has accurate reporting, effective cash and financial risk management, and sector-leading digital processes.

Your work will be instrumental in supporting our Finance Director and the Head of Financial Management to optimise our financial performance, ensuring financial sustainability for the Hospice.

Being part of a great team in a complex organisation is demanding, but also really rewarding. If you want to be part of our Finance team then wed love to work with you.

About us

Proudly serving the community since 1987, Thames Hospice provides compassionate, specialist palliative and end-of-life care for people with a life-limiting condition. We employ over 300 dedicated and highly experienced staff who, with the support of over 1000 volunteers, provided outstanding care to 3000 people last year in their homes and at the Hospice.

Details

Date posted

27 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience £60,000 per year (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

B0488-26-0001

Job locations

Windsor Road

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 2DN


Job description

Job responsibilities

Culture -

We look for people who really care about their work and have huge amounts of compassion to give. If you want to work as part of a culture which develops your skills and values, and builds your confidence to be the best version of yourself, then this is the right place for you. We work hard to look after our people, our patients, our families and our reputation.

All patients are Thames Hospice patients and therefore we always support the patient and their family irrespective of our individual role. We represent the wider charity and clinical model at all times.

Our organisational values are - Compassion, Ambition, Respect, Excellence.

Responsibilities -

Care with Agility - excellent care and support tailored to patients and families in their preferred setting.

As a senior leader you will be expected to support all the strategic aims of Thames Hospice. Sometimes this will be through your direct responsibilities, but often this will be through how you support the wider organisation and the services our clinical teams deliver. In particular you will ensure that our financial systems, processes and reporting support the delivery of our strategy to provide quality of life, to the end of life, for everyone.

You will work collaboratively with leaders within the organisation, Trustees, and wider stakeholders across the health and care system to deliver the Hospices objectives.

You will work closely with the Finance Director to provide strategic financial insights, improve financial operations, drive the charity's growth, and ensure its long-term financial sustainability

Financial Sustainability - generating sustainable funding with integrity to ensure excellent hospice care.

As a senior leader within the finance team you will be accountable for our financial accounting and systems. Robust processes and accurate reporting enables us to make wise decisions and gives confidence to external funders and commissioners of our services.

You will take responsibility for the delivery and audit of year end accounts and ensure the Finance team and Company Secretary meet statutory and accounting regulations, and that the Hospice receives an unqualified audit opinion.

You will work closely with our External Auditors to ensure timely and accurate submission of working papers

You will ensure compliance with our accounting policies and procedures, and make sure those policies reflect best practices including the Charities SORP.

You will manage the month-end closedown timetable and associated ledger controls

You will ensure the charity has robust financial systems and processes in place to safeguard its assets and ensure accuracy of reporting. You will review internal controls to ensure they meet ongoing operational requirements.

You will maintain Fixed Asset records, balance sheet control and reconciliations

You will be the super user - system administrator, for the Access Evo accounting system, banking software and associated software. You will continuously improve the use of the systems and processes to support the financial activities of the Hospice. You will lead upgrades, integrations and automation of processes.

You will ensure good governance of financial data, maintain coding structures, standardise reporting and develop on-line dashboards.

You will produce month-end reporting packs for use by finance colleagues and cost centre managers.

You will oversee the gift aid processes, VAT and Corporation Tax returns and other statutory reporting processes, providing assurance that they are completed accurately and implement any changes to processes as required by changes in legislation.

You will ensure completion and submission of monthly, quarterly, annual returns as required to - for example

- Charity Commission

- Office of National Statistics

- Companies House

- Hospice UK.

You will liaise with external service providers including auditors, bankers, investment managers, consultants and charity finance specialists

You will ensure the day to day income processing, bank account management, purchase and sales ledger processing, reconciliations and cash flow forecasts are completed in an accurate and timely way.

You will carry out project work as directed by the Finance Director, and drive continuous improvement in controls and efficiency.

Supportive Culture - fostering an inclusive, compassionate culture, ensuring outstanding care and management.

You will work with passion and dedication as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of accurate and timely financial information each month. You will work with the Executive Team and senior leaders from across the Hospice to ensure financial accountability.

You will manage your team in accordance with our values and the culture we set for Thames Hospice

You will ensure all communication is accurate, timely and aligned to our values

You will maintain confidentiality and data protection regarding all personal, financial and operating information in line with legislation and hospice policies

You will continuously learn and develop professional and managerial competences, and teach others where required to do so

You will manage conflict, complexity and day to day demands, and ensure the Finance Team is effective and productive

You will be empowered to recruit, engage, and develop our people within an inclusive, diverse, learning and collaborative culture, living our values.

You will deputise for the Finance Director as required, and provide cover for other roles within the team when needed.

Extending reach - expanding access to our services, ensuring equitable care for all, especially underserved communities.

As a senior leader within the Hospice you will be providing support and financial advice to clinicians and managers across the organisation and therefore enabling us to expand access to our services and ensure equitable care for all.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Culture -

We look for people who really care about their work and have huge amounts of compassion to give. If you want to work as part of a culture which develops your skills and values, and builds your confidence to be the best version of yourself, then this is the right place for you. We work hard to look after our people, our patients, our families and our reputation.

All patients are Thames Hospice patients and therefore we always support the patient and their family irrespective of our individual role. We represent the wider charity and clinical model at all times.

Our organisational values are - Compassion, Ambition, Respect, Excellence.

Responsibilities -

Care with Agility - excellent care and support tailored to patients and families in their preferred setting.

As a senior leader you will be expected to support all the strategic aims of Thames Hospice. Sometimes this will be through your direct responsibilities, but often this will be through how you support the wider organisation and the services our clinical teams deliver. In particular you will ensure that our financial systems, processes and reporting support the delivery of our strategy to provide quality of life, to the end of life, for everyone.

You will work collaboratively with leaders within the organisation, Trustees, and wider stakeholders across the health and care system to deliver the Hospices objectives.

You will work closely with the Finance Director to provide strategic financial insights, improve financial operations, drive the charity's growth, and ensure its long-term financial sustainability

Financial Sustainability - generating sustainable funding with integrity to ensure excellent hospice care.

As a senior leader within the finance team you will be accountable for our financial accounting and systems. Robust processes and accurate reporting enables us to make wise decisions and gives confidence to external funders and commissioners of our services.

You will take responsibility for the delivery and audit of year end accounts and ensure the Finance team and Company Secretary meet statutory and accounting regulations, and that the Hospice receives an unqualified audit opinion.

You will work closely with our External Auditors to ensure timely and accurate submission of working papers

You will ensure compliance with our accounting policies and procedures, and make sure those policies reflect best practices including the Charities SORP.

You will manage the month-end closedown timetable and associated ledger controls

You will ensure the charity has robust financial systems and processes in place to safeguard its assets and ensure accuracy of reporting. You will review internal controls to ensure they meet ongoing operational requirements.

You will maintain Fixed Asset records, balance sheet control and reconciliations

You will be the super user - system administrator, for the Access Evo accounting system, banking software and associated software. You will continuously improve the use of the systems and processes to support the financial activities of the Hospice. You will lead upgrades, integrations and automation of processes.

You will ensure good governance of financial data, maintain coding structures, standardise reporting and develop on-line dashboards.

You will produce month-end reporting packs for use by finance colleagues and cost centre managers.

You will oversee the gift aid processes, VAT and Corporation Tax returns and other statutory reporting processes, providing assurance that they are completed accurately and implement any changes to processes as required by changes in legislation.

You will ensure completion and submission of monthly, quarterly, annual returns as required to - for example

- Charity Commission

- Office of National Statistics

- Companies House

- Hospice UK.

You will liaise with external service providers including auditors, bankers, investment managers, consultants and charity finance specialists

You will ensure the day to day income processing, bank account management, purchase and sales ledger processing, reconciliations and cash flow forecasts are completed in an accurate and timely way.

You will carry out project work as directed by the Finance Director, and drive continuous improvement in controls and efficiency.

Supportive Culture - fostering an inclusive, compassionate culture, ensuring outstanding care and management.

You will work with passion and dedication as part of a multidisciplinary team to ensure the delivery of accurate and timely financial information each month. You will work with the Executive Team and senior leaders from across the Hospice to ensure financial accountability.

You will manage your team in accordance with our values and the culture we set for Thames Hospice

You will ensure all communication is accurate, timely and aligned to our values

You will maintain confidentiality and data protection regarding all personal, financial and operating information in line with legislation and hospice policies

You will continuously learn and develop professional and managerial competences, and teach others where required to do so

You will manage conflict, complexity and day to day demands, and ensure the Finance Team is effective and productive

You will be empowered to recruit, engage, and develop our people within an inclusive, diverse, learning and collaborative culture, living our values.

You will deputise for the Finance Director as required, and provide cover for other roles within the team when needed.

Extending reach - expanding access to our services, ensuring equitable care for all, especially underserved communities.

As a senior leader within the Hospice you will be providing support and financial advice to clinicians and managers across the organisation and therefore enabling us to expand access to our services and ensure equitable care for all.

Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • You will have experience of managing or supervising staff, including recruitment, annual appraisals, setting objectives, developing staff and managing performance
  • Experience of proactively identifying potential financial challenges and possible solutions.
  • Skilled to use our IT systems - accounting software, reporting tools, databases, Power BI, Office 365, including Excel to a particularly high level.
  • Experience of implementing or improving new financial systems and processes.
  • Experience of financial accounting and statutory reporting a similar role in a small to medium sized organisation, experience of working in a charity or other not for profit organisation is highly desirable but not essential.
  • In possession of a recognised professional accountancy qualification - CIMA, ACCA - or equivalent with significant post qualification experience
  • Knowledge of charity accounting and tax regulations
  • Experience of
  • - Financial analysis, modelling, preparing business cases and budgeting/forecasting.
  • - Statutory accounts production.
  • - Producing and submitting VAT returns.
  • Experience of taking an active role in the improvement and streamlining of finance processes.
  • Special conditions of appointment to this role -
  • Appointment is subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check, occupational health assessment and right to work in the UK checks.

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will be a qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA or equivalent) with significant post qualification experience, strong system and process expertise, and experience in financial accounting.

Experience

Essential

  • To be successful in this role you need to be a self-starter, highly motivated, enthusiastic and able to use your own initiative. We want you to be committed to delivering quality of life, to the end of life, for everyone, ensuring the patient is central to all decisions regarding the provision of their care.
  • You must be able to quickly build a rapport and establish professional relationships with others, based on trust and understanding. You will be strong in influencing and negotiating to deliver the right outcomes for the Hospice.
  • Able to operate whilst being calm under pressure, open minded and organised.
  • Able to adapt to changing priorities and wider organisational changes.
  • Able to lead team members effectively, prioritising workload and meeting deadlines.
  • Confident to take responsibility for you own actions and make decisions in line with policies and without referring to others.
  • Able to communicate very effectively, both verbally and in writing, adapting your style to suit the audience in particular you must be able to present complex financial information in a meaningful and accessible way to a non-finance audience

Desirable

  • Experience of management and financial accounting in a similar role in a small to medium sized organisation, experience of working in a charity or other not for profit organisation is highly desirable but not essential.
Person Specification

Experience

Essential

  • You will have experience of managing or supervising staff, including recruitment, annual appraisals, setting objectives, developing staff and managing performance
  • Experience of proactively identifying potential financial challenges and possible solutions.
  • Skilled to use our IT systems - accounting software, reporting tools, databases, Power BI, Office 365, including Excel to a particularly high level.
  • Experience of implementing or improving new financial systems and processes.
  • Experience of financial accounting and statutory reporting a similar role in a small to medium sized organisation, experience of working in a charity or other not for profit organisation is highly desirable but not essential.
  • In possession of a recognised professional accountancy qualification - CIMA, ACCA - or equivalent with significant post qualification experience
  • Knowledge of charity accounting and tax regulations
  • Experience of
  • - Financial analysis, modelling, preparing business cases and budgeting/forecasting.
  • - Statutory accounts production.
  • - Producing and submitting VAT returns.
  • Experience of taking an active role in the improvement and streamlining of finance processes.
  • Special conditions of appointment to this role -
  • Appointment is subject to a Standard Disclosure and Barring Service check, occupational health assessment and right to work in the UK checks.

Qualifications

Essential

  • You will be a qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA or equivalent) with significant post qualification experience, strong system and process expertise, and experience in financial accounting.

Experience

Essential

  • To be successful in this role you need to be a self-starter, highly motivated, enthusiastic and able to use your own initiative. We want you to be committed to delivering quality of life, to the end of life, for everyone, ensuring the patient is central to all decisions regarding the provision of their care.
  • You must be able to quickly build a rapport and establish professional relationships with others, based on trust and understanding. You will be strong in influencing and negotiating to deliver the right outcomes for the Hospice.
  • Able to operate whilst being calm under pressure, open minded and organised.
  • Able to adapt to changing priorities and wider organisational changes.
  • Able to lead team members effectively, prioritising workload and meeting deadlines.
  • Confident to take responsibility for you own actions and make decisions in line with policies and without referring to others.
  • Able to communicate very effectively, both verbally and in writing, adapting your style to suit the audience in particular you must be able to present complex financial information in a meaningful and accessible way to a non-finance audience

Desirable

  • Experience of management and financial accounting in a similar role in a small to medium sized organisation, experience of working in a charity or other not for profit organisation is highly desirable but not essential.

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Employer details

Employer name

Thames Hospice

Address

Windsor Road

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 2DN


Employer's website

https://www.thameshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

Thames Hospice

Address

Windsor Road

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 2DN


Employer's website

https://www.thameshospice.org.uk/ (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Finance Director

Nigel Foster

n.foster@thameshospice.org.uk

01753842121

Details

Date posted

27 February 2026

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

Depending on experience £60,000 per year (pro rata for part time)

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Part-time, Flexible working, Home or remote working

Reference number

B0488-26-0001

Job locations

Windsor Road

Maidenhead

Berkshire

SL6 2DN


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

Thames Hospice's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)