Financial Controller (Client Funds)

Role Purpose

This role sits at the heart of our financial controls at the Social Change Nest and combines cash management oversight, payment operations and financial compliance. However, this is not a traditional Financial Controller position. You will work with the team to ensure robust financial controls, accurate reconciliations, secure payment processes and transparent reporting for our diverse portfolio of social impact clients. You will also be a key driver of operational improvement, identifying better ways of working as we scale.

About the Social Change Nest

The Social Change Nest (SCN) is a fiscal hosting organisation that removes the financial and administrative barriers preventing grassroots groups and informal movements from accessing funding. Since 2021, we have supported 700+ groups across the UK and internationally, helping them access over £50 million in funding for causes ranging from climate and housing to racial justice and social wellbeing. We also work closely with funders, providing Grant Distribution and Fund Management services, enabling us to support social action with confidence and transparency. We are at the forefront of fiscal hosting in the UK — and growing fast.

The Social Change Nest is part of The Social Change Group. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and seeking accreditation as a Living Wage Employer.

How We Work

You’ll be joining a close-knit team, supported and developed to be the best you can be. We believe every member of our team brings a unique perspective from their experiences and abilities, and we encourage everyone to be curious about how we can improve everything we do — from how we interact as a team, to how we deliver for our clients and communities.

Underpinned by our values of collaboration, curiosity, courage, and creativity, we work closely and with care with our partners because we believe relationships are the glue that holds us all together.

We’re a growing business operating at pace. We’ve established a lot – but as we grow, we’re still working some things out. The right person will thrive in this environment and relish building out a future-facing finance function. You’ll enjoy problem-solving, feel comfortable handling multiple priorities at once, and seek collaborative solutions. You’ll be adaptable, able to shift focus quickly when things change, and ensure strong communication across the team and with clients to keep everything aligned.

Key Responsibilities

Payment Processes & Systems Management

• Own and optimise the end-to-end payment infrastructure (banking platforms, expense management tools, Open Collective platform and accounting system integrations)
• Design, implement and monitor robust internal controls to prevent fraud, errors or unauthorised disbursements
• Streamline high-volume payment workflows while maintaining strict adherence to SCN policies

Bank Reconciliations & Treasury

• Ensure all client bank accounts are reconciled accurately and daily
• Investigate and resolve any variances between bank statements and the internal ledger immediately
• Track client cash positions to ensure sufficient liquidity for planned social project disbursements

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Produce clear, concise financial reports for clients detailing fund movements and remaining balances
• Act as the lead contact for external audits regarding client cash and payment controls. Support the preparation of year end accounts and SCN’s external Audit as it interfaces with Client funds
• Ensure all cash management and payment processes comply with UK Anti-Money Laundering supervision and relevant HMRC requirements

Operational Innovation & Client Service

• Proactively research and implement new financial technologies to enhance speed, security and transparency of client services
• Continuously evaluate existing workflows to eliminate bottlenecks and improve the client experience
• Lead the roll-out of new financial tools or system upgrades, ensuring smooth transition for internal teams and external partners

Leadership & Collaboration

• Line manage 1–2 members of the finance team, providing mentorship and support
• Being the point of escalation for the Finance and Delivery teams on more complex finance queries and dealing directly with our clients for financial solutions
• Contribute to finance team planning and lead on delivery of key projects
• Collaborate effectively with internal and external stakeholders across the organisation

Person Specification

Essential

• Professional accounting qualification: ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Proven experience in a Financial Controller, Head of Finance or senior audit role with a focus on cash controls and high-volume transactions
• Strong knowledge of financial governance, internal controls and compliance frameworks
• Experience in at least one of the following:
  • managing multi-currency transactions, FX impacts and global banking corridors
  • oversight of restricted funds, ensuring disbursements align with specific grant conditions and reporting requirements
  • implementing AML and KYC protocols and ensuring rigorous due diligence on all fund movements
• IT-literate and confident with leading technological change; advanced Excel skills and track record of implementing operational improvements
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills — able to translate financial information clearly for non-finance stakeholders
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment while maintaining exceptional attention to detail, and being comfortable with shifting priorities and emerging risks
• Ability to lead, manage, and work effectively both as a member of a team and on own initiative
• Ability to think strategically, supporting the implementation of a financial strategy and suggesting appropriate changes to SCN’s services

Desirable

• Experience in the non-profit, charity or client-services sector
• Experience in a fast-growing or start-up environment
• Understanding of power dynamics and community engagement
• Experience with innovative approaches to governance

How to Apply

We strongly encourage applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We are committed to our staff representing the wide variety of backgrounds represented in the communities we work with.

Please send your CV and answers to the following questions to Careers4Change.

• Please tell us why you want to join The Social Change Nest and why this role specifically? (500 words max)
• What are your three most important and relevant examples of experience that will allow you to be be successful in this role? (500 words max)