Job Description

Sense has a fantastic opportunity for someone to join our Finance team as our Finance Business Partner. This is a hybrid, full time position working 37.5 hours per week. This role will require 2 or 3 days per week in our offices in Selly Oak or occasional travel over site.


The Finance Business Partner function is a strategic function working closely with business units to help them make informed business decisions. The function provides insights and analysis that helps the organisation understand its financial position, identify opportunities and risks, and make sound decisions about allocating funds. The post holder will provide a high-quality business partnering service to operational management, enabling them to make financial decisions about the current and future services.


The successful candidate will prepare regular, timely and accurate financial management information including budgets, forecast, cost centre reports, analysis and commentaries and ensure that non-financial managers can interpret the data to understand the financial implications and consequences of their decisions.

What you'll do

Production of the monthly management accounts for trading, ensuring accruals, prepayments and adjustments are accurately calculated and posted, and that income is imported accurately from other systems and payroll and invoiced costs accurately reported so that management accounts are a true reflection of the financial performance of trading. Ensure that trading balance sheet accounts are accurately maintained and regularly reconciled Monthly face to face presentation of financial performance to Senior management, with adequate narrative explanation of the main movements and drivers of the position against budgets and latest forecasts To independently conduct monthly review meetings with the Director of the service and Operational managers and to act as the key point of contact to support budget holders with commercial business, capital and investment proposals. Challenge the Operational Director and managers to ensure that all concepts have been properly considered before making business decisions. Offer professional judgement on financial matters and advising on ways to improve business performance. To lead and co-ordinate the annual budget setting process in collaboration with operational managers and the group consolidation team. Be comfortable dealing with and working through issues and operational challenges with project teams and other stakeholders getting into the detail, in particular the EPOS system, to ensure you understand the cost drivers of the business and can provide insight to non-finance colleagues.

About you

Relevant financial qualification such as ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CFA/CFP, with evidence of own continuing professional development. Proven experience as a Finance Business Partner within retail accounting and working with EPOS systems and experience of stock accounting and control Experience of developing and monitoring an annual budget within a multi-cost centre environment. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to nurture and develop relationships with key stakeholders and external agencies, so that objectives are met consistently, and change is introduced successfully. Ability to influence and partner with Senior Management and colleagues across the finance department. Good knowledge of the management accounting requirements of a retail environment. Understanding of charity retail accounting requirements, how VAT affects charities and Gift aid.

About Sense

We believe that every disabled person should have the opportunity to connect with others and be included in the world. We use our knowledge and expertise to deliver personalised, creative and flexible support at every stage of life. Sense is proud to be a disability confident leader.


Working at Sense can be incredibly rewarding; we offer the opportunity to work in a large, diverse and successful charity where people can develop their skills, knowledge and careers in a supportive and flexible environment. In addition, we have excellent training and development, the opportunity for you to join our Group Personal Pension scheme and a generous annual leave entitlement.

To apply

Please use the link below to complete your application. Managers will use your application to shortlist candidates for interview; in relation to the Personal Specification. Therefore, it is very important you complete this section thoroughly. We would recommend that you read the job description and person specification before applying.


Please note to avoid disappointment, we advise you to submit your application as soon as possible as we reserve the right to close posts at any time.


No agency submissions please: any submissions without prior authorisation from the Sense Recruitment Team will be treated as our own and as such no fee will be payable.


If you require any further assistance, please contact the Recruitment Team on 0121 415 6735 or recruitment@sense.org.uk


Sense is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of vulnerable children and adults and expects all employees to share this commitment. Therefore, all offers of employment, where appropriate, are subject to a DBS check; level dependent on the nature of the role.


For this role we particularly welcome applications from candidates from underrepresented ethnic minority backgrounds and candidates with disabilities. Sense is committed to equality of opportunity, and to promoting and celebrating the diversity of staff, volunteers and the people we work with. Everyone's contribution is valued and we ensure they're given the opportunity to realise their potential. We welcome applications from talented people from all sections of the community who share our values and belief that no one, no matter how complex their disabilities, should be isolated, left out, or unable to fulfil their potential. For more information please visit: https://www.sense.org.uk/jobs/equality-diversity-and-inclusion-in-recruitment/