Waverley Housing
Interim Senior Accountant & Finance Lead
Salary £62,493 FTE (pro rata for part-time hours)
21–35 hours per week (by agreement Six-month fixed-term contract)
Flexible hybrid working
Waverley Housing is seeking an experienced and professionally qualified finance professional to join the organisation as Interim Senior Accountant & Finance Lead for an initial six-month period.
This is an important interim appointment that will provide senior financial expertise, assurance and continuity during a period of transition, while also providing an opportunity to contribute to the future shape of Waverley’s finance function.
The Opportunity
Working closely with the Chief Executive and Depute Chief Executive, you will provide experienced and assured leadership across the finance function, ensuring Waverley continues to maintain strong financial management throughout the assignment.
An early priority will be to work alongside the outgoing Assistant Director of Finance & IT to ensure an effective handover and continuity of key financial activities.
You will then take a lead role across the finance function, providing senior leaders and the Board with confidence in the organisation’s financial position and ensuring key priorities are delivered over the coming months.
This will include financial and management reporting, budget monitoring and setting, regulatory requirements and returns, alongside supporting the organisation through its forthcoming rent-setting and business planning activity.
You will provide clear and practical financial advice to senior colleagues, identifying emerging issues and risks and ensuring Waverley has the information and assurance required to make well-informed decisions.
Importantly, you will also have the opportunity to contribute to Waverley’s review of its leadership and finance arrangements, providing an experienced and objective perspective on the future capacity, structure and leadership requirements of the function.
About You
You will be a professionally qualified accountant with the technical expertise and experience to quickly establish credibility and provide a safe pair of hands during an important period for the organisation.
You are likely to have operated at Senior Accountant, Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Head of Finance or equivalent level and will be comfortable combining strategic financial oversight with a willingness to remain close to the operational detail.
You will bring experience across areas such as:
· Management accounts and financial reporting
· Budget preparation, monitoring and forecasting
· Annual accounts and audit
· Financial controls and assurance
· Business planning and financial modelling
· Regulatory and statutory financial requirements
· Supporting and developing finance teams
· Preparing and presenting financial information to senior leaders, Boards or committees
Previous experience within housing would be advantageous, but is not essential. Waverley is equally interested in candidates from other sectors who can demonstrate strong technical finance capability and experience operating within an appropriately governed environment.
Above all, you will be able to come into the organisation quickly, establish effective relationships and provide calm, credible and pragmatic financial leadership.
The Assignment
This is initially a six-month fixed-term appointment, with considerable flexibility around the working arrangement.
Hours can be agreed between 21 and 35 hours per week, making the opportunity suitable for candidates seeking either a full-time or part-time interim assignment.
Waverley also offers a flexible approach to hybrid working. Some visible presence within the organisation will be important, but the precise working pattern can be discussed with the successful candidate.
The salary is £62,493 FTE, pro rata for agreed part-time hours.
The successful candidate should ideally be available to commence the assignment in early September 2026, or as close to this date as reasonably practicable.
While this is initially an interim appointment, Waverley is reviewing the future structure of its finance function. Depending on the outcome of that review, there may be an
opportunity for the successful interim candidate to be considered for a longer-term position, although no permanent appointment can be guaranteed.
This is an excellent opportunity to make an immediate impact within Waverley Housing – providing stability and assurance today while helping the organisation consider what its finance function should look like for the future.
Further Information
For a confidential discussion about the opportunity, please contact Paul Rooney 07460 714 893 or Nigel Fortnum 07786 737 303 at Aspen People.
Closing date: Midnight on Monday 7th September, 2026. Please note that the job opportunity may be closed at an earlier date in the event of receiving a high volume of applications.