Head of Financial Accounting Freelance NEW

Barking, Essex
Barking and Dagenham Reside Homes

B&D Reside is partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Head of Financial Accounting.

B&D Reside is a dynamic housing provider working in partnership with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham. With a portfolio of over 4,000 homes that will grow rapidly to nearly 4,500 homes by 2027, B&D Reside is at a pivotal moment of growth and transformation. The organisation operates across six legal entities, governed by two independent Boards of Non-Executive Directors, and manages a diverse portfolio of affordable, intermediate and market-rent homes.

This is an important senior finance leadership role, reporting to the Financial Controller and leading a team responsible for financial accounting, treasury, balance sheet, assets, loans and accounts payable. The Head of Financial Accounting will play a key role in strengthening financial controls, improving processes and systems, and ensuring B&D Reside continues to deliver high-quality financial information as the organisation grows.

The Head of Financial Accounting will:

• Lead and develop the Financial Accounting team, creating a culture of high performance, accountability, continuous improvement and strong engagement.
• Lead the preparation of financial statements across B&D Reside’s six legal entities, as well as consolidated accounts for an associated charity.
• Lead the successful delivery of the annual external audit process, ensuring statutory accounts are completed accurately, within budget and to agreed timescales.
• Oversee VAT compliance across five entities, including the complexities of the Partial Exemption regime, alongside Corporation Tax and Construction Industry Scheme compliance.
• Lead the implementation of loan and lease accounting on the Onefin platform, ensuring all long-term financing arrangements are appropriately documented and accurately accounted for.
• Lead the implementation of property fixed asset and component accounting on the Homemaster platform, ensuring asset records and transactions are complete, accurate and appropriately supported.
• Provide accurate monthly cashflow forecasts and oversee the management of surplus funds, balancing the maximisation of interest income with the organisation’s liquidity requirements.
• Maintain strong financial controls across the purchase-to-pay process, including supplier set-up, purchase order authorisation, receipting and invoice payments.
• Work closely with operational teams to ensure purchase-to-pay processes are efficient, proportionate and effective, while maintaining strong financial control.
• Ensure Financial Accounting processes are fully documented, regularly reviewed and continuously improved.
• Work closely with the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham to ensure timely agreement and reconciliation of balances between the two organisations.

We are seeking a technically strong and pragmatic finance professional with:

• A professional accountancy qualification (CCAB) or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience of leading and developing a finance team through a period of organisational growth, transformation or change.
• Strong technical knowledge of financial accounting and statutory reporting.
• Experience of successfully leading the statutory accounts and external audit process.
• Strong knowledge of VAT accounting, ideally including the Partial Exemption regime.
• The ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders, providing clear advice and developing practical solutions quickly.
• Strong financial controls, balance sheet and cashflow management experience.
• A proactive, solutions-focused approach, with the initiative to identify opportunities for improvement and drive change.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to develop and empower teams and create a culture of accountability and high performance.

This role is based in Barking and Dagenham with hybrid working. The role requires once weekly attendance at B&D Reside’s head office in Barking, with additional attendance occasionally required for specific meetings and organisational requirements.

Closing date for applications: 8th November.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. Please submit your CV to Robertson Bell, B&D Reside’s exclusive recruitment partner.