
Posted 5 days ago
No clicks
**Head of Finance:** Lead DEC's accounting function, ensuring accurate accounting and robust controls. Oversee management and statutory reporting, budgeting, annual audits, and donor income processing during high-volume emergency appeals. Collaborate with senior stakeholders and manage a small finance team. Must be a CCAB qualified accountant with post-qualification charity sector experience, proficient in accounting systems, skilled in financial data translation, and resilient in fast-paced environments. Join DEC, a unique force in charity brings 15 UK humanitarian agencies together for global impact. Flexible hybrid working.
- Compensation
- £65,000 – £65,000 GBP
- City
- London
- Country
- United Kingdom
Currency: £ (GBP)
Full Job Description
Are you a qualified accountant looking to use your expertise to make a global impact? Goodman Masson are partnered with The Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) to recruit for a Head of Finance to lead their accounting function and play a pivotal role in the UKs national response to major humanitarian crises.
Since 1963, the DEC has been a unique force in the charity sector, bringing together 15 of the UKs leading humanitarian agenciesto raise over 2.5 billion for disaster-affected communities worldwide. When a humanitarian emergency warrants a national response, they launch high-profile appeals that save lives and protect livelihoods.
We are looking for an experienced, qualified accountant to lead the DECs finance function, ensuring accurate day-to-day accounting and robust financial controls, and delivering high-quality management and statutory reporting. The Head of Finance oversees budgeting and forecasting across the Secretariat, leads the annual audit and year-end accounts production, and provides clear financial insight to budget-holders and senior stakeholders.
During the DEC public appeals, the role plays a critical part in processing and reconciling high-volume donation income at pace, maintaining strong controls across multiple channels, and supporting timely reporting and allocation of funds to members.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Leadership: Oversee the accounting function, including management accounts, budgets, and the annual audit.
- Appeal Management: During emergency appeals, ensure the accurate daily processing of high-volume income and produce critical FinSit reports.
- Stakeholder Collaboration: Coordinate the Indicator of Capacity (IoC) process with member agency Finance Directors to ensure fair allocation of funds.
- Compliance & Control: Maintain a robust financial control environment, ensuring compliance with tax (VAT, Gift Aid), legal, and regulatory requirements.
- Team Management: Line manage and support the development of the Financial Accountant and Finance & Administration Officer.
Who You Are
- Qualified Expert: You are a CCAB qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with proven post-qualification experience in the charity sector.
- Systems Savvy: You have experience using database accounting systems (Sun Accounts/Infor SunSystems Cloud is a plus).
- Strong Communicator: You can translate complex financial data for non-financial colleagues and build strong relationships across diverse teams.
- Adaptable & Resilient: You thrive in a fast-paced environment and are ready to work flexibly when a global emergency strikes.
- Mission-Driven: You are committed to the values of collaboration, transparency, and humanitarianism.
Salary is crica65,000 per annum + Excellent Benefits. London based with very flexible hybrid working arrangements.
You can find out more details by visiting our dedicated careers site here: https://www.dec-careers.com/.
Application deadline is Friday 5




