Introduction 

The RSPB is one of the UK’s most respected conservation charities for the conservation of birds and nature. As an RSPB employee, you will be helping to save nature every time you come to work. If you have a passion for nature and conservation this could be your ideal role, there’s never been a more important time to protect our wildlife and wild places.

We are seeking an excellent qualified accountant to join our Financial Planning and Reporting team, as a Finance Business Partner, supporting colleagues in the UK Countries Directorate more specifically for England. This is a key role working directly with our conservation delivery and our reserves network areas, all with individual characteristics and skills requirements.

What's the role about? 

As a Finance Business Partner you will work proactively with senior colleagues to provide an added-value service of financial support to our UKC Directorate. In addition to a strong management accounting background, you will understand the difference that can be made through strong business partnering relationships and be confident in building those relationships. You will gain the respect and confidence of the colleagues you support through strong communication skills (written and oral) and your ability to constructively challenge ideas and plans. You will add value through gaining an intimate understanding of the Directorate that you partner, together with contributing to business performance and the requirements of the finance function with the charity's need.

You will be a fully qualified accountant with up-to-date technical knowledge and a desire to progress in your profession. We will want the successful candidate to influence change and use their skill set to further drive the organisation's objectives forward. You will also be comfortable working under pressure, to tight deadlines, and interacting with people at all levels within the RSPB.

Essential skills, knowledge and experience: 

CIMA or equivalent financial qualificationSound knowledge of technical accounting legislationAbility to act as a critical-friend to senior management balancing challenge and support. Develop effective working relationships that influence and challenge senior management teams, so that the role of the Finance Business Partner is an integral and valued part of the organisationAbility to influence decision makers through sound logic, diplomacy and assertiveness, with the ability to convey appropriate financial messages to various audiencesAbility to evaluate incomplete and complex financial information, to develop and consider a range of possible options and make a judgement as to the recommended course of actionExcellent communication (written and oral), coaching, mentoring, presentation and training skillsAbility to ascertain financial trends and calculate the impact of them on the organisation under various scenariosWorking in cross-functional teams to provide transformational advice on new initiatives, investment appraisals/organisational restructures/matters of risk and control design effective mitigation strategies, in order to support effective decision makingBuild capability and knowledge in managers so that they can effectively manage their budgets through effective financial information, support and adviceWorking with the all finance teams, to implement new Finance initiatives, ensuring the highest level of customer service and procedures are continuously reviewed so that the service is business focused in the delivery of objectives with an expert knowledge of your client area.

Desirable skills, knowledge and experience:

Experience of forecasting and planning in a dynamic environmentExperience of delivering transformation changeDelivery of coaching and training of financial matters to non financial colleaguesExperience of annual accounts preparationKnowledge of charity finance matters

This is a Permanent Full-Time role for 37.5 hours per week. 

The role is a hybrid position that will require travel in the UK including to the UKHQ Finance Department in Sandy Bedfordshire, and to attend meetings in the support of your team, department and directorate

We are looking to conduct interviews for this position from week commencing 29th September. For further information please contact Ann.Mathers@rspb.org.uk 

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As part of this application you will be asked to provide a copy of your CV and complete a short form. If you wish to provide a cover letter with your application, please include this at the end of your CV document upload.

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This role will require completion of standard pre-employment checks.

We are committed to developing an inclusive and diverse RSPB, in which everyone feels supported, valued, and able to be their full selves. To achieve our vision of creating a world richer in nature, we need more people, and more diverse people, on nature’s side. People of colour and disabled people are currently underrepresented across the environment, climate, sustainability, and conservation sector. If you identify as a person of colour and/or disabled, we are particularly interested in receiving your application. Contact us to discuss any additional support you may need to complete your application.

The RSPB is an equal opportunities employer. This role is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.

The RSPB is a licenced sponsor. This role is not eligible for UK Visa Sponsorship - the successful applicant will need to have a pre-existing Right to Work in the UK in order to be offered an employment contract.

Before applying for this role, we recommend reading through the candidate guidance notes attached to the top of this advert.