Finance Manager

Are you a strategic thinker with a hands-on approach to finance? Do you want to use your skills to make a real difference in people s lives?

The Organisation

Canopy is an award-winning, pioneering self-help housing organisation based in inner-city Leeds. We bring empty homes back into use, support homeless families, train volunteers in construction skills, and help diverse neighbourhoods thrive. We are a Charitable Community Benefit Society with a strong social mission and a collaborative, values-driven culture.

The Role

We are looking for a Finance Manager to lead our financial planning, reporting, and compliance, whilst supporting operational excellence. This is a key leadership role, working closely with the Chief Executive and Senior Management Team to ensure the smooth running of our internal infrastructure.

Please visit our website for our full Job Description and Person Spec.

Key Responsibilities include:

Finance

• Lead all financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, payroll, and reporting activities.
• Oversee cash flow, accounting, and audit functions.
• Ensure compliance with financial regulations and internal controls, including bank and credit card reconciliations.
• Produce monthly expenditure reports to assist the Senior Management Team.
• Produce quarterly management accounts for Board and Lenders.
• Prepare the annual financial statements and oversee the audit process.
• Ensure financial and regulatory returns are submitted in a timely manner.
• Provide strategic financial insights to the Board, Chief Executive, and Senior Management Team, driving sound decision-making, procurement decisions, business planning, fundraising and value for money.
• Maintain accurate, up-to-date records of Canopy s tenants rent accounts, preparing and issuing statements as required by the regulator.
• Establish and maintain working practices that would comply with the Regulator of Social Housing s Economic Standards
• Ensure contractors, suppliers, petty cash accounts, and volunteer expenses are paid in a timely manner.

Administration & Operations

• Supervise the bookkeeper.
• Manage the IT Support Contractor, ensuring they maintain data integrity, security, and availability across the organization.

The Person

Essential Criteria

• Professional accounting qualification (e.g., ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience in financial management, including budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Experience of managing audits and preparing statutory accounts.
• Experience of working in a senior administrative or operational role.
• Experience of managing or supervising staff and/or contractors.

What we offer:

• Flexible working arrangements and hybrid working
• Generous holiday entitlement, with the option to buy or sell leave
• A supportive, inclusive, and purpose-driven team
• The opportunity to be part of a unique and impactful organisation
• Casual dress in the office