Financial Controller

We’re the Football Foundation – the Premier League, The FA and Government's charity that helps communities improve their local football facilities through football grants. This means better games and more players - helping transform communities where demand is greatest, and impact will be strongest. We have ambitious plans and with the support from our funding partners, the Football Foundation is well-supported to continue to invest in community pitches and facilities across the nation. 

To help us with this important mission, we currently have a vacancy for a Financial Controller who will be able to use their professional experience and accountancy qualification to help us transform lives and strengthen communities through grassroots football.

As our Financial Controller, you’ll be responsible for the day-to-day management of our financial accounting function. You’ll ensure timely, accurate and reliable management of all finance matters and will have oversight of the financial controls designed to safeguard the charity’s assets.

You will oversee the preparation of monthly management accounts and our annual statutory accounts, and will be the lead on the audit as both a contact and the workstream. In addition, with support from the Head of Finance you will be responsible for financial reporting and budget control. Responsibility also extends to the development and maintenance of the accounting systems, financial policies, procedures, and systems. You’ll also manage cash flow, fixed assets, and statutory returns (including VAT).

You don’t need to follow football to apply, but it is expected that you appreciate the power of sport to change lives and have a genuine interest in using your skills and experience to help the Foundation achieve our charitable and strategic objectives. 

You’ll be a qualified accountant with at least two years of post-qualifying experience in a relevant finance role and have experience of preparing statutory accounts. You’ll have good knowledge of VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax and Charities SORP

You’ll be organised, with excellent planning and analytical skills and with strong attention to detail. You’ll be friendly, helpful and supportive and you’ll take pride in delivering excellent customer service to your colleagues with a ‘can do’ attitude. We’re looking for candidates who have strong communication and interpersonal skills and who are flexible, adaptable, and willing to learn. Most of all we want someone who reflects who we are as an organisation. 

We refer to our values as our Four Corners: 

• Fair Players – open and inclusive in our approach
• Star Performers – trusted to deliver
• United Team Player – collaborative and easy to work with
• Passionate Supporters – flexible and willing 

If you share these values and have the necessary skills and experience for the role, then we look forward to hearing from you.
 

The salary band for this role is £54,000 – £60,000 per annum, dependent on relevant skills and experience. 

You will start on 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays (which increases after 2 years), plus additional time off to volunteer. We also offer a generous pension scheme (8% employer contribution), collective bonus scheme, free health care provision, a monthly gym subsidy, death in service benefit and access to selected match tickets.

We are committed to helping our team members maintain a healthy work-life balance, so offer flexible working around core hours to help achieve that.

We request that all applicants complete our equal opportunities form as part of the application process. This anonymous and confidential form helps the Football Foundation to build up a picture of who is applying to join the organisation, and to monitor progress in this area. The link to complete this is in the application process. 

The Football Foundation is committed to, and values the principles of diversity, equality, and inclusion. We strive to provide an inclusive and supportive working environment where all our team feel respected and supported in fulfilling their potential. We encourage and welcome applications from all, regardless of background and are particularly interested to hear from individuals belonging to under-represented groups including diverse ethnic communities, individuals with a disability, and those from the LGBTQI+ community.

Should you need any adjustments to the recruitment process, at either application or interview stage, please contact us at jobs@footballfoundation.org.uk.

To apply, please follow the steps outlined below:
1.    Please send the following to jobs@footballfoundation.org.uk

• CV
• Cover letter - please highlight briefly and clearly how your skills, abilities and experience equip you for the role, together with your reasons for applying (no more than one side of A4).

2.    Complete an anonymous Equal Opportunities form: 

Click here to fill it out. Please only fill out one form when you apply. If you need any help, please let us know.

The closing date for applications is 9am on Monday 19 February 2024. Interviews are scheduled for w/c 26 February 2024.

All applications received will be short listed against the role requirements and person specification. Those most closely matching our requirements will be invited to take part in an online interview.

Due to the volume of applications received for most roles, the Foundation only contacts candidates if they are shortlisted for interview. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, you should assume your application has not been successful.

Please note that you must be eligible to work in the UK to apply.