Autism Oxford UK is a leading organisation dedicated to improving the lives of neurodivergent individuals and their families of all ages through assessment, advocacy, training, consultancy, and direct support services. We are a blended team of various professional backgrounds including peer support and we are committed to raising awareness and acceptance of neurodivergences, inclusion, and co-production in all aspects of our work.
Reporting Structure
Board
Finance administration team members as the organisation grows.
External partners, Team members, associates, commissioners, and community stakeholders.
Role Purpose
This is an exciting but demanding role for a Finance Controller, who is ambitious and driven. The Finance Controller will provide operational leadership and management across the financial health of Autism Oxford UK's work, working alongside other Senior Leaders in the organisation. This role is pivotal in shaping the future direction of the organisation, ensuring financial sustainability, and delivering high-quality, impactful cost-efficient services that reflect the needs and voices of the neurodivergent community.
Key Responsibilities
Approving expenditure
Create and maintain bank accounts on behalf of the organisation
Managing and executing payroll
Managing Cash Flow
Monitoring of internal financial policies and procedures
Budget setting and management
Financial strategy development, including forecasting and reporting to board.
Ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
Report financial health to board with clear risks and actions plans communicated.
Responsible for the group accounting functions.
Lead responsibility for all accounting protocols and maintaining robust internal controls.
Identify and implement improvements to the function.
Key point of contact for external stakeholders and major suppliers.
Production and delivery of management accounts
Ensure efficient supplier payment processes.
Assist with audits
Lead and develop your own team in line with the organisation's growth.
File VAT returns
File Corporation Tax
Management of organisation's pensions.
Support tender responses from a financial perspective.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Growth in revenue and net profit margins.
Cash flow stability
Stakeholder engagement and partnership development.
Compliance with safeguarding, quality, and regulatory standards.
Delivery of strategic objectives as agreed with the Board.
Working Hours and Flexibility
This is a senior leadership role requiring a flexible approach to working hours. While the role is part-time, we support hybrid working and flexible scheduling. Some evening or weekend commitments may be necessary to meet the needs of the organisation.
There is also an expectation that there is visible in person leadership a minimum of once a week to build rapport and accessibility for the team's benefit.
Equal Opportunities Statement
Autism Oxford UK Limited is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and particularly encourage applications from neurodivergent people, and people from other disadvantaged background in line with our Closing the Gap Statement. We are committed to making reasonable adjustments throughout the recruitment process and in the workplace.
Leadership Behaviours and Values
The Finance Controller is expected to model and promote the values of Autism Oxford UK Limited through the following behaviors:
Inclusive Leadership: Actively champions neurodivergence and creates safe environments for all staff and stakeholders.
Strategic and Decisive Thinking: Makes informed, long-term decisions aligned with the organisation's mission and vision. Decisions should be thoughtful but made confidently and decisively, to ensure organisation agility.
Collaborative Working: Builds strong, respectful relationships across the team at all levels and with external partners.
Integrity and Accountability: Demonstrates transparency, ethical decision-making, and takes responsibility for outcomes.
Adaptability and Agility: Responds positively to change and leads others through uncertainty with clarity and confidence. There is a strong need to respond both proactively and reactively to the team, client and external stakeholders' demands and capacity.
Empowerment: Supports and develops others, encouraging autonomy and recognising contributions
Communication: Communicates clearly, openly, and with empathy, adapting style to suit diverse audiences.
Humility: Leads with humility, valuing the contributions of all team members and learning from feedback, while role modelling responses to when things go wrong.
Accessibility: Ensures accessibility in communication and decision-making, fostering an inclusive environment.
Freedom to Act
The Finance Controller will operate with a high degree of autonomy and professional discretion, within the framework of Autism Oxford UK's strategic objectives, policies, and regulatory obligations. You are expected to:
Demonstrate sound judgement and initiative in decision-making, seeking guidance from the Board where appropriate.
Interpret and apply organisational policies, procedures, and relevant legislation to ensure safe, ethical, and effective service delivery.
Adapt to evolving service needs, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement and innovation.
Take responsibility for prioritising and managing your workload, while remaining accountable for outcomes and impact.
Recognise the limits of your authority and escalate matters appropriately when decisions may have significant legal, financial, or reputational implications.
This role requires a flexible and responsive approach. The duties outlined in this job description are not exhaustive and may be subject to reasonable modification in response to changing organisational needs or the professional development of the post holder.
Legal and Regulatory Responsibilities
As a member of Autism Oxford UK Limited, you are expected to uphold the highest standards of safety, safeguarding, confidentiality, and equality in line with current UK legislation and Care Quality Commission (CQC) expectations.
You have a legal duty under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 to take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by your actions or omissions at work.
You must comply with all organisational health and safety policies and procedures, including those related to remote and hybrid working, Display Screen Equipment (DSE), and mental wellbeing.
You are required to report any unsafe practices, hazards, or concerns that may compromise the safety of colleagues, individuals we support, or visitors.
All staff have a duty to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people, and adults at risk, in accordance with the Care Act 2014, Children Act 1989/2004 and Working Together to Safeguard Children guidance.
You must be familiar with and adhere to the policies of the Local Safeguarding Children Partnership (LSCP) and Local Safeguarding Adults Board (LSAB).
Autism Oxford UK operates in line with the CQC's Single Assessment Framework, which emphasises person-centred safeguarding, human rights, and the Mental Capacity Act 2005, including Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) or Liberty Protection Safeguards (LPS) where applicable.
Under Section 181 of the Health and Care Act 2022, all CQC-registered providers must ensure that every staff member receives training in learning disability and autism, appropriate to their role.
This includes The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training, which is the government's preferred training standard for health and social care staff.
Training must be regularly reviewed and embedded into induction, supervision, and appraisal processes.
The CQC expects providers to demonstrate that their services are well-led, with leadership that understands and champions the rights, needs, and preferences of autistic people.
You are expected to maintain strict confidentiality in line with the UK General Data Protection
Regulation (UK GDPR) and the Data Protection Act 2018.
All personal information relating to individuals accessing our services, staff, or partners must be handled securely and only shared on a need-to-know basis.
Breaches of confidentiality will be taken seriously and may result in disciplinary action.
Staff are expected to understand and apply the Caldicott Principles and Information Governance standards in all aspects of their work.
Autism Oxford UK is committed to promoting equality and reducing inequalities in line with the Equality Act 2010.
You are expected to create and contribute to an inclusive working environment that values diversity, respects differences, and actively challenges discrimination.
All staff must uphold the organisation's values of accessibility, humility, and respect in their daily practice and leadership.
Essential Criteria - Training and Qualifications
Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant field (eg ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
Evidence of continuous professional development (CPD)
Completion of, or commitment to complete, The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism
Desirable Criteria - Training and Qualifications
Relevant leadership or management qualification (e.g., ILM, MBA, Level 5+ in Leadership)
Essential Criteria - Experience
Extensive experience of working in a senior finance role.
In depth knowledge of Xero accounting system and able to pull relevant reports as required.
Experience of managing budgets and financial planning
Experience of working with Boards, Trustees, or governance structures
Experience of managing risks positively and under pressure
Experience of leading safeguarding, quality assurance, and regulatory compliance.
Desirable Criteria - Experience
Proven track record of strategic planning, service development, and operational delivery.
Experience of working with or within autistic-led or neurodivergent organisations.
Essential Criteria - Knowledge & Understanding
Knowledge of Nest pension scheme, ensuring employer compliance with pensions.
Knowledge of relevant UK legislation related to finance ie FCA and GDPR
Awareness and able to work within co-production principles and inclusive leadership.
Desirable Criteria - Knowledge & Understanding
Strong understanding of autism, neurodivergence, and the social model of disability
Essential Criteria - Skills and Abilities
Excellent leadership, team development, and people management skills
Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage diverse stakeholders
Ability to think strategically and translate vision into action
Ability to manage change, risk, and performance in a complex environment
Digital literacy and confidence using data to inform decisions
Essential Criteria - Values and Behaviours
Demonstrates humility, accessibility, and inclusive leadership
Upholds confidentiality, data protection, and information governance standards
Champions equality, diversity, and anti-discriminatory practice
Reflective, open to feedback, and committed to continuous improvement
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: 50,000.00-56,000.00 per year
Expected hours: 25 per week
Benefits:
Company pension
Free parking
On-site parking
Sick pay
Work from home
Work Location: Hybrid remote in England OX143NB