Chefs in Schools
Employment Type: Temporary Location : Hybrid Brixton, UK, 4 days/week Hybrid (1 day a week in office in Brixton) London-based Salary : Starting from £400 (GBP), Per Day Team : Finance Seniority : Senior Closing : This role has no specific closing date. Job Description The Financial Controller is a management-level role responsible for the overall financial control and management of the organisation. This is a hands-on role where you will execute and own the financial operations, while ensuring the precision and integrity of all financial records, including verifying the work of outsourced bookkeepers. As a fully qualified accounting professional, you will verify the accuracy of the organisation's financial operations and ensure strict adherence to UK accounting standards and financial controls. You will provide the Head of Finance and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with strategic, high-quality reports for decision-making, budgeting, and the annual audit. Core Responsibilities Financial Operations & Bookkeeping Verify the accuracy of all ledger entries and day-to-day financial transactions. Perform bank reconciliations and review the work of outsourced bookkeepers to ensure accuracy and consistency. Own and manage the Pleo expense management platform, personally verifying that data exports to QuickBooks are correct and reconciled monthly. Personally maintain detailed financial documentation and audit trails to meet all statutory requirements. Review technical accounting treatments for restricted funds within QuickBooks to ensure compliance with donor requirements and charity law. Monitor and review accounts receivable and payable ledgers, taking a lead role in reporting on debtor and creditor ageing. Arrange and process all outgoing payments, including approved staff expenses and supplier invoices, while strictly enforcing the organisation's Expenses Policy. Prepare and submit VAT returns and Gift Aid claims, ensuring total compliance with HMRC regulations. Act as the senior technical lead for financial queries, designing and upholding robust internal controls across the organisation. Liaise with and manage the relationship with the outsourced payroll provider, reviewing monthly pay runs for accuracy. Financial Reporting & Budgeting Prepare month-end management accounts, ensuring all accruals, prepayments, and adjustments are accurately posted. Prepare and distribute budget templates to budget holders, offering technical guidance throughout the annual budget cycle. Consolidate sub-budgets into a master draft for review by the Head of Finance. Provide analytical support to budget holders to enable effective variance analysis and ongoing budget monitoring. Create bespoke financial reports and granular project budgets to facilitate scenario planning, financial analysis, and strategic decision-making. Audit & Process Maintenance Coordinate the annual audit process, acting as the primary technical point of contact for external auditors. Manage the audit testing process, ensuring all evidence and documentation are provided accurately and on time. Contribute to the preparation of the Trustees' Report, audit schedules, and draft accounts. Provide technical feedback on draft financial statements to auditors. Oversee the production timeline and data requirements for the Annual Report. Maintain and update financial policies and record-keeping systems to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Develop clear process documentation where necessary. Identify and implement practical optimisations to financial systems and procedures to increase organisational efficiency and automation. Essential Skills and Qualifications Professional Qualification: Fully qualified CCAB accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA). This role requires a professional capable of advanced financial management and strategic oversight. Technical Experience: At least 5 years of significant post-qualification experience in a senior financial management or control role. Software Proficiency: Proven experience using financial software such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage. Financial Knowledge: A deep understanding of chart of accounts structures, cash/accrual-based accounting, and the distinction between restricted and unrestricted fund accounting. Communication: Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable information for non-finance staff. REF-
Employment Type: Temporary Location : Hybrid Brixton, UK, 4 days/week Hybrid (1 day a week in office in Brixton) London-based Salary : Starting from £400 (GBP), Per Day Team : Finance Seniority : Senior Closing : This role has no specific closing date. Job Description The Financial Controller is a management-level role responsible for the overall financial control and management of the organisation. This is a hands-on role where you will execute and own the financial operations, while ensuring the precision and integrity of all financial records, including verifying the work of outsourced bookkeepers. As a fully qualified accounting professional, you will verify the accuracy of the organisation's financial operations and ensure strict adherence to UK accounting standards and financial controls. You will provide the Head of Finance and the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) with strategic, high-quality reports for decision-making, budgeting, and the annual audit. Core Responsibilities Financial Operations & Bookkeeping Verify the accuracy of all ledger entries and day-to-day financial transactions. Perform bank reconciliations and review the work of outsourced bookkeepers to ensure accuracy and consistency. Own and manage the Pleo expense management platform, personally verifying that data exports to QuickBooks are correct and reconciled monthly. Personally maintain detailed financial documentation and audit trails to meet all statutory requirements. Review technical accounting treatments for restricted funds within QuickBooks to ensure compliance with donor requirements and charity law. Monitor and review accounts receivable and payable ledgers, taking a lead role in reporting on debtor and creditor ageing. Arrange and process all outgoing payments, including approved staff expenses and supplier invoices, while strictly enforcing the organisation's Expenses Policy. Prepare and submit VAT returns and Gift Aid claims, ensuring total compliance with HMRC regulations. Act as the senior technical lead for financial queries, designing and upholding robust internal controls across the organisation. Liaise with and manage the relationship with the outsourced payroll provider, reviewing monthly pay runs for accuracy. Financial Reporting & Budgeting Prepare month-end management accounts, ensuring all accruals, prepayments, and adjustments are accurately posted. Prepare and distribute budget templates to budget holders, offering technical guidance throughout the annual budget cycle. Consolidate sub-budgets into a master draft for review by the Head of Finance. Provide analytical support to budget holders to enable effective variance analysis and ongoing budget monitoring. Create bespoke financial reports and granular project budgets to facilitate scenario planning, financial analysis, and strategic decision-making. Audit & Process Maintenance Coordinate the annual audit process, acting as the primary technical point of contact for external auditors. Manage the audit testing process, ensuring all evidence and documentation are provided accurately and on time. Contribute to the preparation of the Trustees' Report, audit schedules, and draft accounts. Provide technical feedback on draft financial statements to auditors. Oversee the production timeline and data requirements for the Annual Report. Maintain and update financial policies and record-keeping systems to ensure they remain fit for purpose. Develop clear process documentation where necessary. Identify and implement practical optimisations to financial systems and procedures to increase organisational efficiency and automation. Essential Skills and Qualifications Professional Qualification: Fully qualified CCAB accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA). This role requires a professional capable of advanced financial management and strategic oversight. Technical Experience: At least 5 years of significant post-qualification experience in a senior financial management or control role. Software Proficiency: Proven experience using financial software such as QuickBooks, Xero, or Sage. Financial Knowledge: A deep understanding of chart of accounts structures, cash/accrual-based accounting, and the distinction between restricted and unrestricted fund accounting. Communication: Ability to translate financial data into clear, actionable information for non-finance staff. REF-
Chefs in Schools
Employment Type: Contract, Freelance Location : Hybrid Brixton, UK - 1 day in the office, on Wednesdays, occasionally more. Salary : Up to £250 (GBP), Day Rate Seniority : Mid-level, Senior Closing : This role has no specific closing date. Job Description As Interim Operations Manager, you'll be the connective tissue of Chefs in Schools - the calm, resourceful presence at the centre of a growing organisation that keeps everything moving and everyone supported. Reporting directly to the COO, you'll take ownership of the operational, HR and IT functions that underpin our work, while acting as the trusted go-to for colleagues when things aren't working and the confident external face with our suppliers and partners. You'll work across a range of cloud-based systems (including Google Workspace and Breathe HR), manage our people processes end-to-end, coordinate IT procurement and software, and help maintain the data integrity that keeps us well organised. But above all, this is a people-first role - and the relationships you build will define how well we function as an organisation. Key Responsibilities People & Relationships Serve as the primary point of contact for the whole organisation - managing the central inbox, incoming calls and post, and ensuring colleagues always know where to turn. Build trusted relationships across the team, acting as a reliable and approachable first port of call when operational issues arise - finding solutions calmly and quickly. Manage and develop relationships with external suppliers, contractors, building managers and other partners, representing Chefs in Schools with professionalism and warmth. Support the COO and Senior Leadership Team with diary management, administrative queries and ad-hoc research - anticipating needs rather than waiting to be asked. Coordinate logistics for team and Trustee meetings, including room bookings, agenda preparation, and accurate minutes and action tracking. Office Management Manage all day-to-day administrative and office management activities. Monitor and maintain office provisions, stationery and supplies - keeping an eye on cost-effectiveness and availability. Support the implementation of organisational policies and procedures, helping the team understand and follow them in practice. Manage the administrative side of the Pleo expense platform, including onboarding new staff and providing clear guidance on receipt capture. HR Administration Take ownership of our HR platform (currently Breathe HR), ensuring records are accurate and the team is well supported in using it. Manage the end-to-end administrative side of recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, including drafting employment contracts and letters of variation. Maintain up-to-date DBS records for staff and Trustees, coordinating refreshes and ensuring adherence to safeguarding and GDPR policies. Coordinate and track staff training sessions and maintain the central training log. Manage visa sponsorship administrative requirements as needed. Data & Systems Work confidently across our cloud-based operational systems (including Google Workspace and Breathe HR), supporting colleagues in getting the most out of them and troubleshooting basic issues. Maintain our central digital and physical filing systems, ensuring records are securely stored and easy to navigate. Coordinate insurance cover renewals and maintain related documentation. Support the COO in reviewing and maintaining internal policies, procedures and organisational templates. IT Manage the procurement and setup of IT hardware (laptops, phones) for office-based and remote staff. Source and manage software licences and IT contracts, ensuring we benefit from charity discounts where available. Oversee the secure and responsible disposal of IT hardware. Essential Skills and Experience At least five years' experience in a varied administrative, operations or office management role. Exceptional interpersonal skills - you're the person colleagues naturally turn to, and you build trust quickly with people at all levels, both inside and outside the organisation. A confident, solutions-focused approach: you don't wait to be told what needs fixing, and you stay calm and constructive under pressure. Strong digital confidence and proven experience working across cloud-based operational systems (such as Google Workspace, HR platforms and similar tools). Outstanding organisational skills and the ability to juggle a varied workload, prioritise effectively and follow through on commitments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills - you can explain processes clearly to non-expert colleagues and represent the organisation confidently with external partners. A collaborative, honest and low-ego working style - you care about the team succeeding, not just your own piece of it. Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in how the organisation operates. Interest in and belief in our mission to improve kids' health through better food and food education in schools. Desirable Skills and Experience Experience working or volunteering in a charity, school or community setting. Familiarity with HR administration, including onboarding, contracts and DBS processes. Experience managing supplier or contractor relationships. Knowledge of GDPR and data protection best practice. IR35 Status: This contract engagement has been assessed as outside IR35. Contractors engaged through their own limited company will be responsible for managing their own tax affairs and will not be subject to PAYE deductions by the client. Know someone great for this? REF-
Employment Type: Contract, Freelance Location : Hybrid Brixton, UK - 1 day in the office, on Wednesdays, occasionally more. Salary : Up to £250 (GBP), Day Rate Seniority : Mid-level, Senior Closing : This role has no specific closing date. Job Description As Interim Operations Manager, you'll be the connective tissue of Chefs in Schools - the calm, resourceful presence at the centre of a growing organisation that keeps everything moving and everyone supported. Reporting directly to the COO, you'll take ownership of the operational, HR and IT functions that underpin our work, while acting as the trusted go-to for colleagues when things aren't working and the confident external face with our suppliers and partners. You'll work across a range of cloud-based systems (including Google Workspace and Breathe HR), manage our people processes end-to-end, coordinate IT procurement and software, and help maintain the data integrity that keeps us well organised. But above all, this is a people-first role - and the relationships you build will define how well we function as an organisation. Key Responsibilities People & Relationships Serve as the primary point of contact for the whole organisation - managing the central inbox, incoming calls and post, and ensuring colleagues always know where to turn. Build trusted relationships across the team, acting as a reliable and approachable first port of call when operational issues arise - finding solutions calmly and quickly. Manage and develop relationships with external suppliers, contractors, building managers and other partners, representing Chefs in Schools with professionalism and warmth. Support the COO and Senior Leadership Team with diary management, administrative queries and ad-hoc research - anticipating needs rather than waiting to be asked. Coordinate logistics for team and Trustee meetings, including room bookings, agenda preparation, and accurate minutes and action tracking. Office Management Manage all day-to-day administrative and office management activities. Monitor and maintain office provisions, stationery and supplies - keeping an eye on cost-effectiveness and availability. Support the implementation of organisational policies and procedures, helping the team understand and follow them in practice. Manage the administrative side of the Pleo expense platform, including onboarding new staff and providing clear guidance on receipt capture. HR Administration Take ownership of our HR platform (currently Breathe HR), ensuring records are accurate and the team is well supported in using it. Manage the end-to-end administrative side of recruitment, onboarding and offboarding, including drafting employment contracts and letters of variation. Maintain up-to-date DBS records for staff and Trustees, coordinating refreshes and ensuring adherence to safeguarding and GDPR policies. Coordinate and track staff training sessions and maintain the central training log. Manage visa sponsorship administrative requirements as needed. Data & Systems Work confidently across our cloud-based operational systems (including Google Workspace and Breathe HR), supporting colleagues in getting the most out of them and troubleshooting basic issues. Maintain our central digital and physical filing systems, ensuring records are securely stored and easy to navigate. Coordinate insurance cover renewals and maintain related documentation. Support the COO in reviewing and maintaining internal policies, procedures and organisational templates. IT Manage the procurement and setup of IT hardware (laptops, phones) for office-based and remote staff. Source and manage software licences and IT contracts, ensuring we benefit from charity discounts where available. Oversee the secure and responsible disposal of IT hardware. Essential Skills and Experience At least five years' experience in a varied administrative, operations or office management role. Exceptional interpersonal skills - you're the person colleagues naturally turn to, and you build trust quickly with people at all levels, both inside and outside the organisation. A confident, solutions-focused approach: you don't wait to be told what needs fixing, and you stay calm and constructive under pressure. Strong digital confidence and proven experience working across cloud-based operational systems (such as Google Workspace, HR platforms and similar tools). Outstanding organisational skills and the ability to juggle a varied workload, prioritise effectively and follow through on commitments. Excellent written and verbal communication skills - you can explain processes clearly to non-expert colleagues and represent the organisation confidently with external partners. A collaborative, honest and low-ego working style - you care about the team succeeding, not just your own piece of it. Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion in how the organisation operates. Interest in and belief in our mission to improve kids' health through better food and food education in schools. Desirable Skills and Experience Experience working or volunteering in a charity, school or community setting. Familiarity with HR administration, including onboarding, contracts and DBS processes. Experience managing supplier or contractor relationships. Knowledge of GDPR and data protection best practice. IR35 Status: This contract engagement has been assessed as outside IR35. Contractors engaged through their own limited company will be responsible for managing their own tax affairs and will not be subject to PAYE deductions by the client. Know someone great for this? REF-
