Three Bridges Recruitment | Accountancy Recruiter Edinburgh | Finance Recruiter Scotland | Connecting Accounting and Finance Professionals

Finance Assistant

Edinburgh

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40793

Published date:

30/04/2026

Summary

School/Department or Research Centre	Finance Department
Role Title	Finance Assistant
Responsible to	Finance Supervisor
Responsible for	N/A
Salary/Grade	Grade 4 £25,249 - 28,778
Hours	1 FTE
Contract Basis	Permanent
Disclosure Check	Basic
Location	Queen Margaret University, Musselburgh

Finance Department
The purpose of the Finance Department is to: Processing all financial transactions accurately and promptly. Implementing and reporting on actions that support the University’s financial sustainability strategies. Providing reliable and insightful management information to stakeholders, including the University Court, senior management, budget holders, and the Scottish Funding Council. Maintaining robust internal financial controls that satisfy internal and external auditors, the Audit Committee, and the University Court. Supporting the effective management of research, knowledge exchange, and commercial activities.
Role Purpose
This role provides essential administrative support to the Finance Office team, ensuring smooth day-to-day operations. The postholder will be the first point of contact for students, handling front-desk enquiries and phone calls, while also assisting with key financial tasks such as cashiering, credit control, and accounts payable. The role ensures efficient, accurate, and customer-focused service to support the wider Finance team.
Principal Duties or Key Result Areas
Provide front-line support to students and staff at the Finance Office, handling enquiries in person and via telephone. Perform general administrative duties to support the smooth running of the Finance team. Assist with financial transactions including cashiering, credit control, and accounts payable. Process journals and other routine accounting entries accurately and in a timely manner. Maintain and update financial records, ensuring information is complete, accurate, and easily accessible. Ensure that all documentation and communications are appropriately filed and recorded for audit and reporting purposes. Support the Finance team with ad-hoc tasks and projects as requested by the Finance Supervisor and Senior Financial Accountant.

Person Specification – Essential

Person Specification – Desirable

Strong organisational and administrative skills, with high numeracy, accuracy, and attention to detail.

Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with colleagues at all levels and external stakeholders.

Experience in a customer-facing role, providing professional and efficient service.

Experience with core financial management processes, including journal entries and maintaining/updating spreadsheets.

Experience using financial accounting software to enter, maintain, and report on financial transactions and data.

Ability to work effectively as part of a team, while also demonstrating initiative and working independently with minimal supervision.

Effective time management skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and competing demands.

Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel, for financial analysis and reporting

Relevant financial qualification, such as AAT or equivalent.

Previous experience in a similar role, particularly within financial administration.

Experience of working in a further or higher education institution.

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Corporate Controller

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40461

Published date:

28/04/2026

Accounts Payable Assistant

Dunfermline, UK

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40593

Published date:

28/04/2026

Summary

Three Bridges Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a global organisation to recruit an Accounts Payable Assistant based in Dunfermline. This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established and growing finance function within a high-performing business operating in a fast-paced and evolving industry.

You will be joining a friendly, supportive, and collaborative team environment that values both independent thinking and teamwork. With a strong focus on continuous improvement and modern systems, this organisation offers a forward-thinking culture where your contribution will be recognised and developed.

Why Work Here?

Salary circa £29,000
Annual bonus scheme
31 days annual leave, increasing with service
Hybrid working model (3 days office, 2 remote)
Private medical cover
Generous pension scheme
Life assurance
Cycle to work scheme
Health and wellbeing support including EAP
Employee discounts and lifestyle benefits
Ongoing training and development with study support
Opportunity to join a growing business with strong career prospects

Job

As an Accounts Payable Assistant, you will play a key role in a busy finance team, taking ownership of AP processes for one of the organisation’s business units. Duties will include:

Processing high volumes of supplier invoices daily (50–100+)
Performing supplier statement reconciliations
Maintaining supplier records, including bank details
Reviewing and processing staff expenses
Handling supplier queries and resolving discrepancies
Supporting the reduction of late payments and duplicate invoices
Working with modern finance systems including touchless invoice processing
Contributing to process improvements within the AP function
Supporting wider finance team with ad hoc duties as required

This is a fast-paced role requiring strong organisation and attention to detail, with a balance of independent responsibility and team collaboration.

You

To be successful in this role, you will have:

Proven, hands-on Accounts Payable experience
Strong understanding of AP processes including invoicing and reconciliations
Ability to manage a high-volume workload efficiently
Good problem-solving skills with a proactive approach
Strong attention to detail and accuracy
Confident communication skills when dealing with suppliers and colleagues
Basic Excel skills
A positive attitude with a willingness to learn and develop
Ability to work both independently and as part of a team

Experience with finance systems is beneficial but not essential, as full training will be provided.

At Three Bridges Recruitment, we are committed to ensuring every candidate receives a professional and supportive experience. If this opportunity sounds like the right fit for you, please apply with your most up-to-date CV or get in touch for a confidential discussion.

Read More Apply Now

Payroll Assistant

Edinburgh, UK

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40660

Published date:

28/04/2026

Summary

Payroll Assistant Page 1 of 5 March 2026

1. Job Details

Job Title Payroll Assistant Hours 18 – 25 p/wk Line Manager

Payroll Manager

Department Payroll Contract Type Permanent Salary £28,329 (pro-rata for less than 39 hours)

2. About Thistle

At Thistle we believe in a world of inclusion, free of isolation and loneliness, where a health crisis doesn’t mean a life crisis. Our charity supports people with disabilities and long-term health conditions to see life differently, to lead good lives and achieve what matters most to them. We believe that everyone in Scotland should have access to our person-centred approach to health and wellbeing.

3. About the role

This role provides payroll processing support as part of the payroll team. The Payroll Assistant will be responsible for the correct and timely payment of salaries to employees, payments to HMRC and pensions and other payroll tasks.

Payroll Assistant Page 2 of 5 March 2026

4. Main Responsibilities

Description

1 Working alongside the Payroll Manager to process and produce the monthly payroll for Thistle Foundation,

check data entries with our HR team, and review sickness entries against our sick pay rules, calculate SMP,

SSP and Enhanced Holiday.

2 To process timesheet import from Rota Management software and, where necessary input manual

timesheets, in respect of overtime, sleepovers, on-call payments, payments to pool staff, expenses and

any other authorised payments.

3 To produce and email pay slips, P45 and P60.

4 To implement tax changes and student loans notified by HMRC.

5 Properly account for any other deductions from the payroll. Ensure payment of arrestment of earnings

orders, pension contributions, employee benefits and other approved deductions to the appropriate

authorities within required timescales

6 To liaise, where necessary, with the various relevant organisations regarding PAYE, NIC, SSP, SMP returns

and pension costs.

7 To prepare and maintain records for the admission of employees to the Thistle pension schemes.

8 To deal with employee payroll-related queries, including liaising with colleagues, tax and government

offices to resolve any such queries

9 To check and verify the monthly payrolls, HMRC, pension payments and BACS for authorisation by

authorised managers.

10 To produce appropriate reports as requested

11 To provide year-end tax reports, as per legislative requirement, to employees and HRMC

12 To complete National Statistical returns with regards to payroll information

13 To process payrolls for one other small organisation

14 To continually review payroll processes for effectiveness and efficiency, recommend improvements to the

payroll manager and implement changes when agreed

15 To undertake other duties as may from time to time be determined by the Payroll Manager & Head of HR

as being appropriate to the post.

Payroll Assistant Page 3 of 5 March 2026

5. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Area Essential Desirable

Education,

qualifications

and training

• National-5 Level Maths and English

Skills and

Knowledge

• Proficient in the use of payroll systems

• Proficient in the use of MS Office including Word,

Excel, and Outlook

• A good understanding of payroll processes

• A customer service approach to working with fellow

employees

• Excellent time management and organisation skills

• Good standard of written and spoken English

• Skilled in making decisions about own work,

prioritising own workload and shared workload

• Ability to work under pressure and to deadlines

• Ability to communicate with various internal and

external customers at all levels

• Ability to take ownership of the tasks relating to the

job and demonstrate responsibility for the correct

completion of them

• Ability to take initiative

• Knowledge and experience of using

Access SelectPay software

Experience • Experience in a similar payroll role

• Demonstrable experience of building effective

relationships with people

• Experience of working to tight deadlines

• Experience of working in the not-

for-profit or social care sector

Personal

Qualities

• At least 2 years’ experience of a similar role gained in a

fast-paced office environment

• Willingness to engage with others across the

organisation and develop good working relationships

• Understanding that within a small team there is a

requirement to be flexible in approach to duties,

particularly during holiday periods

• Ability to be a collaborative team player

• Friendly and approachable to all

Payroll Assistant Page 4 of 5 March 2026

6. Thistle Approach – Core Competencies

Competency Description

Understanding self In order to work well with people we need to develop a good understanding of ourselves and the impact we have on other people. Being genuine, respectful and listening with empathy to other people’s perspectives lies at the heart of all our interactions. We believe this practice is nurtured by the ability to continually reflect on ourselves and the impact we have on others.

Building person- centered relationships

In order to be genuinely person-centered we need to be able to develop supportive, collaborative and enabling relationships. We also believe that people are the experts in their lives, that they are doing their best and that by working alongside people we are more likely to succeed. We reflect on the extent to which we create trust in all our relationships and how well we work within teams.

Making a difference using person-centered approaches

We believe that using person-centered approaches can be critical to whether people make the changes they want in their lives or not. We do this by focusing on what matters to each person and what they want specifically to achieve including taking life enhancing risks. We always encourage feedback in order to learn and improve on what we do.

Focusing on Strengths, resilience and contribution

We believe that people have strengths, skills, knowledge and resilience and the ability to contribute to their own and others’ lives. We need to be flexible and innovative to enable people to share these attributes and make the most of all contributions in order to find creative solutions. We celebrate the success this brings and build our resilience by learning from setbacks.

Promoting wellbeing, citizenship and community

We believe that everyone is a citizen with rights, responsibilities and a contribution to make to their community. This is only meaningfully possible when you have genuine wellbeing and are fully included in your community. This belief drives the work we do at Thistle so we know we must try to influence the unequal and discriminatory aspects of our society in order to change how things currently are. This requires us to share the ‘Thistle Approach’ more widely and in turn, learn from the world around us. To do this well we must continually reflect on what this means for us as individuals and as an organisation.

Payroll Assistant Page 5 of 5 March 2026

7. Key Contacts and Relationships

• Payroll Manager

• HR team

• Finance team

• Line managers

• All employees, as the need arises, in relation to specific payroll queries

• Director of Resources, CEO and Strategic Leadership Team

• Other Thistle Hub colleagues

• HMRC & Pension providers

8. Additional information

• At Thistle we work in a hybrid working environment, between home and our Craigmillar office (13 Queens Walk, Edinburgh EH16 4EA); there is a requirement to attend the workplace for approximately 50% of the contractual time. On occasion, to support particular activities or to provide cover, attendance requirements may be higher.

• This post is subject to a PVG Disclosure.

9. Job Description Creation and Revision

Created March 2026

For review

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Finance & Payroll Officer

Edinburgh, UK

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40694

Published date:

27/04/2026

Summary

I’m recruiting for a Finance & Payroll Officer to join a well-known charity in Edinburgh. This is a key role within a small finance team & would suit someone who enjoys taking ownership, staying close to the detail, & supporting a finance function that has a real impact on the wider organisation.

This isn’t a narrow transactional role. It’s a broader finance post with responsibility across purchase ledger, payroll, reconciliations, cashbook, expenses, month-end support & day-to-day finance queries. It’s a good fit for someone who wants variety, trust, & the chance to be part of a team where their work genuinely matters.

The organisation has recently been through a period of positive change, with a new middle management team, improved procedures, & a clear five-year plan. It’s an organisation that’s moving forward, but still holds onto the warmth, openness & sense of purpose you would hope to find in the charity sector.

Why work here?

Salary of £26,000–£28,000
Full-time, permanent role working 35 hours per week
Opportunity to take ownership of purchase ledger, payroll & day-to-day finance processes
Join a friendly, welcoming organisation with a strong sense of purpose
Positive team culture with regular staff activities & a social, inclusive environment
Central Edinburgh location but a hybrid role
32 days’ annual leave, including bank holidays - additional leave linked to length of service
Day off on your birthday
Pension scheme with 6% employer contribution
Employee Assistance Programme, Cycle to Work Scheme & IT Voucher Scheme
Ongoing learning & development

Job

As Finance & Payroll Officer, you’ll:

Take ownership of key day-to-day finance processes & play an important part in the organisation’s financial health
Manage end to end purchase ledger, supplier invoices, expenses & payment runs
Process monthly payroll for up to 100 employees, working closely with HR & finance
Process supplier invoices, staff expenses & payment runs, including BACS & FPS
Carry out monthly reconciliations & investigate discrepancies
Enter daily cashbook transactions
Process petty cash & organisation credit card transactions
Work closely with budget holders
Manage the finance inbox & respond to day-to-day queries
Support month-end processes, including journals, stock count, intercompany transactions & the fixed asset register
Calculate wages, overtime, deductions & payroll adjustments
Liaise with HR on new starters, leavers, changes & pension administration
Maintain secure payroll & employee records
Support RTI submissions, statutory payments & wider HMRC compliance

You

As Finance & Payroll Officer, you’ll bring:

Previous experience in an accounts payable, finance assistant, finance officer or similar role
Strong end-to-end payroll experience
Confidence managing your own workload & taking ownership of regular finance processes
Good Excel & general finance systems skills
Strong communication skills & the confidence to deal with people across different departments
Sage Payroll experience would be helpful, but is not essential
Experience in the charity or third sector would be helpful, but is not essential
An AAT qualification, or studying towards one, would be an advantage but is not required

At Three Bridges Recruitment, two of our values are “striving for brilliance” & “relatability.” We want every applicant to have a positive experience & to feel clear on whether a role is genuinely right for them.

If this opportunity sounds like a good fit, please apply with your most up-to-date CV or get in touch for a confidential chat.

Read More Apply Now

Credit Controller

Edinburgh, UK

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40527

Published date:

21/04/2026

Summary

I’m recruiting for a Credit Controller to join a well-known charity in Edinburgh. This is a key role within a small finance team & would suit someone who enjoys taking ownership, building strong internal relationships, & keeping a close eye on the detail.

This is not a narrow, high-volume credit control post where you are simply chasing debt. It’s a broader role with real responsibility across the full sales ledger cycle, from invoicing & account set-up through to reporting, query resolution & supporting cash flow. It’s a good fit for someone who wants to be trusted, involved, & part of a team where their input genuinely matters.

The organisation has recently been through a period of positive change, with a new middle management team, improved procedures, & a clear five-year plan. It’s an organisation that’s moving forward, but still holds onto the warmth, openness & sense of purpose you would hope to find in the charity sector.

Why work here?

Salary of £28,000–£30,000
Full-time, permanent role working 35 hours per week
Opportunity to take real ownership of the full sales ledger function
Join a friendly, welcoming organisation with a strong sense of purpose
Be part of a small & collaborative finance team where communication matters
Recently restructured business with a motivated management team & clearer processes
Chance to support a charity where cash flow & financial accuracy have a real impact
Positive team culture with regular staff activities & a social, inclusive environment
Central Edinburgh location

Job

As Credit Controller, you’ll:

Take ownership of the end-to-end sales ledger & play an important part in supporting the organisation’s wider financial health
Make sure invoicing is accurate, payments are collected in a timely way, & reporting is reliable
Stay on top of the detail, communicate with stakeholders, & adapt quickly in a busy environment
Take full responsibility for the end-to-end sales ledger function
Manage the full credit control cycle from invoicing through to collection
Setup & maintain customer accounts accurately
Generate & issue sales invoices across multiple income streams - allocate incoming payments
Follow up on overdue invoices by phone & email
Resolve queries efficiently
Prepare & analyse aged debt & other status reports for management
Provide reliable sales ledger information to support management accounts & wider reporting
Maintain accurate financial records across grants, donations, gift aid & other income streams
Support month-end & year-end activity within the finance team

You

As Credit Controller, you’ll bring:

Strong previous experience in credit control & sales ledger management
Confidence managing your own workload & taking ownership of a function
Good reporting skills, including the ability to produce & interpret aged debt & ledger reports
Strong communication skills & the confidence to deal with people across different departments
A proactive, commercially aware & switched-on approach
Good Excel & general finance systems skills
Strong attention to detail & accuracy
The ability to work in a fast-paced, varied environment & adapt quickly
A team-focused attitude & willingness to collaborate closely with others
Experience in the charity or third sector would be helpful, but is not essential
An AAT qualification, or studying towards one, would be an advantage but is not required

At Three Bridges Recruitment, two of our values are “striving for brilliance” & “relatability.” I want every applicant to have a positive experience & to feel clear on whether a role is genuinely right for them.

If this opportunity sounds like a good fit, please apply with your most up-to-date CV or get in touch for a confidential chat.

Read More Apply Now

Payroller

Bellshill

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40560

Published date:

21/04/2026

Summary

Role Overview:

Two roles discussed: Payroll Clerk (sometimes referred to as Payroll Manager/Assistant) and Group Finance Director (potentially titled Managing Director, but must have a finance background).
Both roles are for LoveCare, the main business within the Love Group, which also includes Love Property, Love Corporate, and Strategic Innovations (an engineering factory in Dundee).
LoveCare is a care company with approximately 300 staff, a dedicated finance team, and ambitious growth plans (current turnover ~£10m, aiming for £100m).
The Group Finance Director role will oversee finance across all group companies, supporting significant scaling and potential acquisitions.
Payroll Clerk role is focused on running weekly payroll for 300 staff, with additional finance duties if full-time.

Key Requirements:

Payroll Clerk: Must have hands-on payroll experience, able to run end-to-end payroll for 300 staff. Experience with care sector payroll or similar scale preferred. Should be able to take on additional finance assistant duties if full-time. No need for training from scratch; not suitable for an apprentice.
Group Finance Director: Fully qualified accountant essential. Must have experience managing finance for companies with turnover of £20m-£100m+. Experience with scaling businesses, ideally with exposure to private equity, acquisitions, and rapid growth. Strong skills in data analysis, use of AI, and tools like Power BI. Should be comfortable presenting financials, forecasts, and performance dashboards. Needs to be hands-on but also strategic, able to lead and develop the finance function and support business growth.
Sector experience in care is a plus but not essential; growth and acquisition experience is more important.
Soft skills: Ambitious, proactive, able to challenge and improve existing processes, and comfortable working directly with founders/owners.

Location:

Both roles are based in Bellshill office (Central Belt, Scotland).
No remote or hybrid options; full-time office presence required.

Compensation:

Payroll Clerk: Target salary around £30k, open to market rate. Role can be part-time (3 days/week) or full-time with additional finance duties.
Group Finance Director: Salary expected to be £80k+, potentially up to £120k for the right candidate. Current CFO is on £60k. Private healthcare, standard pension, and up to 35 days holiday included. Bonus structure is open for discussion, potentially linked to growth or operational performance.
Benefits for senior roles include private healthcare, pension, and generous holiday allowance.

Hiring Process:

No formal process detailed, but urgency is higher for the Payroll Clerk (ASAP start desired).
Group Finance Director/Managing Director role will be a more considered process; Lynn wants to take time to find the right person.
Recruiter to provide a range of candidate profiles at different levels for the senior role.
No mention of specific interview stages, tasks, or case studies at this stage.

Additional Details:

Current finance team includes a CFO (Ehsan Amjadi), management accountant (part-qualified), credit controller, and a finance assistant (currently off sick, not returning).
Payroll is currently managed in-house, using data pulled from a care management system (not a dedicated payroll system); accountancy package is Xero.
There is some internal resistance to delegating payroll (CFO prefers to do it themselves), which has slowed previous recruitment efforts.
Group Finance Director will report directly to the founders (Lynn and their partner); if a Managing Director is hired, all heads of department would report to them.
Company is highly ambitious, entrepreneurial, and values hands-on, data-driven leadership. There is a strong focus on using AI and analytics for business improvement.
Opportunities for growth and learning are significant, especially as the business is scaling rapidly and considering acquisitions.
Recruitment is being managed both internally and via agencies; no exclusivity required. Confidentiality is important for the senior role due to internal sensitivities.
Company culture is described as dynamic, ambitious, and open to learning from new hires.

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Payroll Officer

Fife

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40627

Published date:

21/04/2026

Summary

I’m recruiting for a Payroll Officer to join the finance team of a well-established, growing business based in Kirkcaldy. This is a hands-on role for someone who knows payroll properly & takes real pride in getting it right. You’ll join a small team where accuracy, reliability & discretion really matter. The day-to-day focus is on delivering weekly & monthly payroll smoothly & on time, but there is more to the role than processing alone. They’re also looking for someone who can bring a thoughtful eye to how payroll is done, spot opportunities to improve efficiency, & help move things forward over time.

This would suit someone who enjoys ownership, likes working in a practical environment, & wants to be part of a stable business that is continuing to grow.

Why work here?

Salary of £30,000–£32,500
Established, long-standing & growing business with a strong reputation in its market & ambitious plans & investment in the future
Small team environment where your contribution will be visible & valued
Take real ownership of payroll activity, improve processes & make the role your own
Early finish every Friday
Hybrid working with some flexibility around working hours
33 days’ holiday
Pension, life insurance, employee discounts
On-site parking

Job

As Payroll Officer, you’ll be a key part of the finance team:

Helping to ensure payroll is delivered accurately, efficiently & in line with current legislation
Supporting both weekly & monthly payroll cycles & work closely with colleagues in a small, collaborative environment
Calculating pay based on hours worked, payroll rules & relevant deductions
Managing third-party deductions including pensions & other payroll-related payments
Maintaining accurate holiday records & payroll data
Completing RTI submissions & other regular payroll reporting requirements
Supporting year-end payroll activity, including P11D & related administration
Carrying out reconciliations & payroll checks
Responding to payroll queries & ad hoc requests in a timely & professional way
Providing support across the wider team during holidays or periods of absence
Reviewing existing processes & identify opportunities to improve efficiencies

You

As Payroll Officer, you’ll bring:

Previous experience in a similar payroll role
Good working knowledge of payroll processes, legislation & deadlines
Experience of weekly payroll would be especially useful
Strong Excel & general systems skills
A careful, methodical approach & strong attention to detail
The ability to work well under pressure & keep things on track
A professional & discreet approach to confidential information
Strong communication skills & a collaborative approach
A self-motivated attitude & the confidence to take ownership
A payroll or accountancy qualification would be an advantage, but is not essential

At Three Bridges Recruitment, two of our values are “striving for brilliance” & “relatability.” I want every applicant to have a positive experience & to feel clear on whether a role is genuinely right for them.

If this opportunity sounds like a good fit, please apply with your most up-to-date CV or get in touch for a confidential chat.

Read More Apply Now

VICE PRINCIPAL - FINANCE & CORPORATE SERVICES

Galashiels, UK

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40228

Published date:

18/03/2026

Summary

Job Title

Vice Principal - Finance and Corporate Services

Post Holder

Accountable To

Principal & CEO

Responsible For

Finance, IT and Digital, Estates and Facilities, Marketing, Legal and Compliance, Programme Management, Business and Project Support

Department

Executive

Overall Purpose of Job

Lead the development and implementation of the strategy for financial and institutional sustainability for the College.
Lead on programme and project management and development opportunities which grow the business.
Lead the development and implementation of the College’s strategies for Estates, Sustainability and IT and Digital services
Lead on compliance responsibilities including Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Risk, Audit etc.
Lead on College Estates development projects.
Provide advice to the Regional Board on all aspects of functions within the remit of the post.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Management and Planning

Contribute to the development and implementation of the College’s Vision, strategies and annual priorities.
Attend meetings of the Regional Board and appropriate sub committees, providing Executive leadership for Audit and Risk, and Finance and General Purposes Committees.
Represent the College externally dealing with funding bodies, external/internal auditors and other agencies.
Prepare and implement the College strategies for Estates, IT and Digital, Sustainability and Finance.
Act as a member of the College Executive Team with associated collective responsibilities.

2. Financial and Service Management and Planning

Lead the continuing development of capital expenditure, budgeting and forecasting policies, processes and procedures.
Ensure that comprehensive and effective real time financial recording and control systems are in place.
Ensure financial systems and reporting is in line with the requirements of the Scottish Funding Council and other funders.
Ensure that management accounts and reports are provided to the Principal, senior leaders and the Regional Board in a timely manner and recommend action required.
Ensure programme management and business and project support functions are aligned to business need and resources prioritised to support strategic College programmes such as sustainability, digital transformation and delivery, and business improvement programmes.
Ensure the College’s Marketing and Communications service is designed for and delivered to meet business need, with impactful messaging for all stakeholder groups.
Prepare, in association with the Senior Leadership Team, rolling Business Plans which reflect Strategic Priorities and ensure financial management and monitoring are in place to secure their implementation.
Develop medium to long term financial plans, identify the requirements for savings plans / income delivery to achieve at least breakeven position
Production of annual report and financial statements, reflecting the Colleges activities for the year, and preparing the governance statement and in so doing represent a positive and accurate assessment of the Colleges performance.
Review regularly the College’s Financial Regulations and present proposals for amendment to the Regional Board as necessary.

Corporate Services and Governance

Lead Executive Team member for Audit and Risk and Finance & General Purposes Committees
Secure and maintain appropriate college insurances.
Ensure that comprehensive programmes of internal audit are undertaken and that all external audit requirements are met.
Ensure the development, maintenance and implementation of the College’s Risk Management and Business Continuity policies and procedures.
Ensure effective emergency planning procedures are in place.
Procure and manage appropriate legal representation for the College.
Ensure compliance with statutory duties and reporting frameworks e.g. SFC, Audit Scotland, Data Protection, Freedom of Information, Community Empowerment.
Ensure effective reputational management via our Marketing and Communications function.
Ensure that the College adopts and complies with Health & Safety legislation.
Represent the College on the Borders LGPS

Leadership, development and improvement of organisational efficiency

Manage the Finance Function ensuring the preparation of financial plans, management of devolved budgets and regular reporting.
Ensure the College has sufficient cash available to meet short and long term commitments and manage the safeguarding, investment and securing of funds, including negotiation of facilities with banks.
Ensure all returns and reports required by SFC and other bodies are accurate and produced within prescribed time scales.
Manage the College Estates Services ensuring that the facilities are fit for purpose and are operated in an efficient and effective manner.
Lead on the implementation of digital transformation.
Manage the IT and Digital function ensuring an efficient and effective level of service is provided to staff and learners.
Maintain a fixed asset and property register.
Operate the College Performance Review system to monitor and review individuals and departmental performance targets and establish staff development training requirements.
Ensure compliance with College policies, procedures and the implementation of decisions of the College.
Represent the College at appropriate external networking events.
Undertake any other duties appropriate for the efficient and effective management of the College as directed by the Principal and CEO.
Ensure that long term Asset Management plans are linked to and support the College Strategy.

Personal and Professional Development

Adopt flexible working methods to meet the changing needs of the College
Develop and maintain quality standards appropriate to the post
Develop and maintain professional standards and expertise by undertaking relevant professional development

The above mentioned duties and responsibilities represent the current situation and may change over time to reflect the changing needs and requirement of the College.

Signed …………………………………………………… Date ………………………

(Staff Member)

Signed ………………………………………………….. Date ………………………

(Line Manager)

PERSON SPECIFICATION

QUALIFICATIONS		Essential or Desirable
Member of CCAB Accounting body		E
Degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline		D
Project Management Qualification		D

KNOWLEDGE		Essential or Desirable
Current knowledge of financial reporting standards		E
Knowledge of Scottish public sector procurement legislation		D
Understanding of public sector / government accounting and regulatory frameworks		D
Knowledge of Further Education finance in Scotland		D

EXPERIENCE		Essential or Desirable
Experience of financial management in a large, multi-functional organisation		E
Significant demonstrable post-qualification experience		E
Experience of financial reporting, including management and statutory accounts production		E
Experience of leading teams and team building		E
Experience of leading projects across organisations		E
Experience of Further Education Sector		D
Experience of change management		D

INTERPERSONAL SKILLS & ABILITIES		Essential or Desirable
Excellent communication skills		E
Ability to collaborate across departments		E
Ability to influence stakeholders		E
Skilled networker		E
Team player		E
Self-motivated individual		E
Solutions focussed mind set		E
Independent and creative thinker		E
Reflective practitioner		E
Distributed and situational leadership style		E
Effective negotiation skills		E

OTHER ABILITIES/QUALITIES		Essential or Desirable
Resilient		E
Flexible		E
Able to work under pressure		E
Skilled report and bid writer		E

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Head of Finance

Perth

Permanent

Full-time

Job ID:

40094

Published date:

13/03/2026

Summary

Three Bridges Recruitment is delighted to be working with a leading organisation based in Perth to recruit a Head of Finance. This is a high-profile leadership role reporting to the Chief Financial Officer and offers the opportunity to play a key role in shaping the financial future of a large and complex organisation.

The successful candidate will lead the finance function, provide strong operational and strategic leadership, and ensure robust financial management that supports long-term sustainability and growth.

You will lead a finance team of 12 people and work closely with senior stakeholders, including executive leadership, board members and external partners. This role provides the opportunity to influence decision making at the highest level while driving improvements across people, processes and systems.

Why Work Here?

This organisation offers a highly competitive benefits package and a supportive working culture, notably:

Salary in the £68,000 – £74,000 range DOE
Defined benefit pension (15.7% employer contribution)
45 days annual leave per year
Hybrid working with approximately 3 days on site and 2 days remote
Flexible working policies to support work life balance
Opportunity to shape and improve a finance function during an important period of development

Job

The role of Head of Finance will give you the opportunity to be involved with the following:

Provide leadership and operational management of the finance department including accounting, payroll and procurement
Develop and implement the organisation’s financial strategy alongside senior leadership
Lead the preparation of budgets, forecasts, management accounts and long-term financial plans
Oversee statutory accounts preparation and manage relationships with external auditors
Ensure robust financial controls, governance and compliance with financial regulations
Produce financial reports and board papers to support senior decision making
Provide clear financial insight and constructive challenge to senior stakeholders and budget holders
Lead continuous improvement initiatives across finance systems, processes and reporting
Manage and develop a high performing finance team, fostering a collaborative and proactive culture
Support major organisational projects and ensure financial viability of new initiatives

You

As Head of Finance, you will be skilled and experienced in the following:

Fully qualified accountant
Significant post-qualification experience
Proven leadership experience managing and developing finance teams
Strong technical accounting knowledge and financial governance expertise
Experience producing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and statutory financial statements
Confident communicator able to engage with senior stakeholders, boards and external bodies
Ability to challenge constructively and influence decision making
Strong change management and continuous improvement mindset
Hands-on and proactive approach with the ability to balance strategic and operational responsibilities

At Three Bridges Recruitment, two of our values are “striving for brilliance” and “relatability.” We want every applicant to have a positive experience and ensure this role is right for you.

If this opportunity sounds like it could be your next step, please apply with your most up-to-date CV or contact us for a confidential discussion.

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