Financial Controller

About Our Client

LightEn is a philanthropic organisation and educational platform that signposts pathways with the potential to raise consciousness and help humanity embody the highest levels of love and wisdom. We pursue our mission via three main pathways: curating and creating exceptional educational content and making that content available to all free of charge; providing grants to support the work of individuals and organisations inspired by its vision; and facilitating courses and retreats at locations in London (UK), Asheville, North Carolina (USA) and Mallorca (Spain). Our work is conducted through various entities primarily operating in three countries, including a US-based 501(c)3 and a UK-registered charity, and we are rapidly expanding our footprint and activities across all pathways.

Job Description

The Financial Controller (FC), reporting to the Chief Administrative Officer (CAO), will manage all accounting functions within LightEn and related entities, ensuring that all accounting records are appropriately kept and that accounting procedures and reports are compliant with all relevant standards and legislation. The FC will coordinate and manage the preparation of budgets and financial forecasts, prepare monthly accounts, dashboards, forecasts, and other regular financial, regulatory and compliance reports. The FC will ensure that the finance team operates within a robust control environment and will support the CAO in preparing for and coordinating preparations for external audits. The FC will support the development of all internal control policies, contribute to ensuring all financial systems are fit for purpose and maintained, and identify any potential areas for improvement.

Primary Responsibilities

• Day-to-day management of accounting operations for one or more complex corporations or nonprofits, during periods of significant growth and change, including compliant accounting treatment for income recognition, accounts payable, general ledger, full cost recovery, inventory accounting, payroll, pensions, and other staff benefits.
• Preparation of budgets and financial forecasts and reporting any variances.
• Preparation of monthly management accounts, forecasts, and reports identifying results, trends, and variances to budget.
• Ensuring all transactions are recorded, filed, and reported properly.
• Making sure reporting complies with all appropriate accounting standards, statutory law, and financial regulations.
• Documenting operational processes and accounting policies to maintain internal controls.
• Streamlining and improving all operations and accounting systems.
• Coordinating the management of cash flow and identification of funding requirements.
• Supporting the CAO and other members of the leadership team with procurement processes.
• Supporting grant-making processes, monitoring, learning, and evaluation.
• Supervising and managing financial staff and managing relationships with external partners (e.g., payroll service providers).
• Supporting the CAO with thorough preparation for the audit process and liaising with external personnel as required.
• Assisting the CAO in presenting reports to board members, senior executives, and other stakeholders.

The Successful Applicant

The FC should hold a recognized CCAB accounting qualification and possess the following:

• Experience in managing day-to-day accounting operations for complex corporations or non-profits.
• Outstanding analytical, numerical, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work to tight deadlines.
• Strong personal and communication skills.
• Confident leadership and management skills.
• Strong business acumen through working across both for-profit and non-profit organizations.
• Ability to influence people at all levels.
• Experience and an appetite for working in a start-up and rapid growth organization.
• Personal affinity with LightEn's mission and approach.

What's on Offer

We would like to offer the successful candidate:

• A market competitive salary
• Hybrid working
• 25 days annual leave
• Private health insurance, employer-matched pension up to 6%, and a variety of generous benefits

Where specific UK qualifications are required we will take into account overseas equivalents. All third party applications will be forwarded to Michael Page.

Ref Code: MPGO0820246499594Z