Application Guide
How to Apply for Finance Manager
at Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists
🏢 About Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists
Harris Hill is a specialized recruitment firm focusing exclusively on the charity sector, connecting mission-driven organizations with skilled professionals. Their deep sector expertise means they understand the unique financial challenges and regulatory environment charities face, offering a supportive bridge between finance professionals and impactful organizations. Working through them provides access to vetted charity roles with organizations committed to social good.
About This Role
This remote, part-time Finance Manager position requires overseeing daily financial operations for a charity client, ensuring accurate transaction processing, reconciliations, and management reporting. The role is impactful because it directly supports the charity's financial health and compliance, enabling transparent stewardship of donor funds and informed decision-making by leadership. You'll serve as the key financial liaison between the charity and external accountants/payroll providers.
💡 A Day in the Life
A typical day might start with reviewing and coding daily transactions in Beacon or Xero, followed by reconciling accounts and liaising with external bookkeepers via email to resolve discrepancies. You'd then work on accrual-based management reports, analyzing financial data to draft insights for directors, and later coordinate with payroll providers to ensure accurate updates for charity staff. The remote setup requires disciplined communication and independent problem-solving to keep financial operations smooth.
🚀 Application Tools
🎯 Who Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists Is Looking For
- A fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, or ACA) with proven experience in UK charity finance, particularly with international charities and their specific reporting requirements.
- Proficient in charity-specific accounting software like Beacon or Xero, with advanced Excel skills for financial analysis and reporting to trusts/foundations.
- Has hands-on experience preparing management accounts on an accrual basis, supporting VAT returns, and collaborating with external auditors for statutory accounts.
- Demonstrates a track record in budget development for institutional funders and understands the nuances of charity payroll administration and statutory payments.
📝 Tips for Applying to Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists
Explicitly mention your experience with UK charity financial regulations (e.g., SORP) and any work with international charities in your resume summary.
Highlight specific accounting software you've used (Beacon, Xero, etc.) and give examples of how you've used them for reconciliations or reporting in a charity context.
Tailor your application to emphasize part-time remote work experience, showing you can manage financial operations independently with limited supervision.
Include quantifiable achievements related to trust/foundation reporting or budget management for institutional funders, as this is a key requirement.
Since Harris Hill specializes in charity recruitment, use language that reflects mission alignment (e.g., 'stewardship of funds,' 'supporting impact') rather than just corporate finance terms.
✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter
['Your direct experience in the charity sector, especially with international charities, and how it prepares you for their specific regulatory and reporting needs.', 'Examples of collaborating with external bookkeepers/accountants on reconciliations, VAT returns, or statutory accounts, showing you can be an effective liaison.', "Your proficiency with accounting software like Beacon or Xero and how you've used it to produce management accounts or support decision-making.", "Why you're seeking a part-time remote role and how your skills in independent financial oversight align with supporting a charity's mission efficiently."]
Generate Cover Letter →🔍 Research Before Applying
To stand out, make sure you've researched:
- → Harris Hill's focus on charity recruitment—review their website to understand their client base and sector specialties, which may hint at the charity you'd support.
- → Recent trends in UK charity finance, such as updates to SORP or VAT regulations for charities, to show current knowledge in interviews.
- → Common accounting software used in UK charities (like Beacon or Xero) and their features for charity-specific reporting, even if you're already proficient.
- → The role of finance managers in remote, part-time charity settings—how they ensure compliance and communication without daily in-person oversight.
💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics
Based on this role, you may be asked about:
⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying with generic corporate finance experience without highlighting charity sector knowledge or UK regulatory expertise.
- Failing to address the part-time, remote nature of the role in your application, which may raise concerns about availability or self-management.
- Overlooking the requirement for experience with institutional funders or specific software—vague statements like 'familiar with accounting software' without naming Beacon/Xero.
📅 Application Timeline
This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.
Typical hiring timeline:
Application Review
1-2 weeks
Initial Screening
Phone call or written assessment
Interviews
1-2 rounds, usually virtual
Offer
Congratulations!
Ready to Apply?
Good luck with your application to Harris Hill Charity Recruitment Specialists!