Head Of Finance

Westlakes Recruit; Carlisle; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment firm in Carlisle is seeking a Head of Finance/Cost Controller to oversee financial activities and lead a small team. This role involves managing company forecasts, ensuring compliance, and promoting continuous improvement in financial processes. The ideal candidate will have relevant accountancy qualifications and a minimum of 5 years of experience in a similar role. Hybrid working is supported, with 4 days in the office initially.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years in a similar role in industry.
• Solid knowledge of transactional activity in finance.
• Experience in a strategic role with a proven ability to lead initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Accounts department and promote accountability.
• Oversee company forecasts and annual budgets.
• Ensure timely preparation of financial reports.

Skills

Proficient in Microsoft Excel

Strong communication

Attention to detail

Good time management

Familiarity with Pegasus Opera

Education

Relevant accountancy qualification (ACA, CIMA, ACCA)

Tools

Pegasus Opera

Job description

Overview

Westlakes Recruit are currently recruiting for a Head of Finance/Cost Controller on a permanent basis in Carlisle. Hybrid working will be supported (4 days in the office initially).

Overall Job Purpose: Leading a small team, you will be responsible for managing the Finance and IT department. Taking on the role of Company Secretary, you will oversee all company accounting activities while ensuring strong business processes are in place to manage cash flow, accurate forecasting of debtors/creditors, timely Management Information (MI), and the company’s financial reports, budgets and forecasts. You will ensure compliance with audits, taxes and insurances and drive financial continuous improvement initiatives within the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of leading and managing the Accounts department and the team’s responsibilities.
• Promote a culture of continuous improvement; drive efficiency in the Accounts team’s processes and produce live MI and KPI’s to promote ownership and accountability across the company’s Managers to improve financial success and profitability.
• Act as Company Secretary for all incoming financial activity.
• Ensure timely preparation of company forecasts and annual budgets (including P&L and CAPEX).
• Ensure monthly and annual accounts are accurately prepared and submitted in a timely manner.
• Produce a range of financial reports (weekly/monthly/quarterly/annually) to keep Directors and Managers informed of progress against budget, including presentation of figures at management meetings.
• Manage the annual statutory accounts, audit and tax process, liaising with auditors and tax advisors.
• Build and maintain positive relationships with the company’s banks and effectively manage all business bank accounts, ensuring cash flow is monitored.
• Oversee the management of all accounting transactions and purchase ledger payments including invoices, bills, and accounts payable and receivable (UK and international).
• Manage overseas compliance including producing accounts for an overseas USA-based entity and liaising with US accountants, and managing reporting requirements for the Middle East branch.
• Own and be the point of contact for the company’s Accounting system, ensuring it is effective and fit for purpose, and lead the process of updating the system in the near future.
• Ensure export paperwork is 100% accurate (experience with letters of credit, bill of lading, airway bills, commercial invoices etc would be advantageous).
• Oversee management of the company’s energy contracts, insurance renewal processes and any relevant claims. Manage currency trading for foreign currency payments.
• Ensure the team’s payroll processes are accurate and robust to meet contractual requirements.
• Manage the Pension Auto Re-enrolment process and provide pension advice to employees as required.
• Oversee submission of monthly HMRC PAYE and VAT payments, Irish VAT returns and government grant claims.
• Ensure the team processes timely Research and Development (R&D) tax claims.
• Plan workload to ensure the team is covered as required (e.g., Payroll Year-End, Y/E stock/WIP, customer credit checks, IT support).
• Other ad hoc duties as the role may require.

Other Responsibilities

• Health and Safety: Carry out duties in accordance with the Company’s Health and Safety policies and procedures.
• Diversity: Have due regard to equal opportunities and work fairly with all staff, maintaining service standards.
• Quality: Support the creation of a client service culture with total commitment to quality.

Behaviours

We set high standards of performance and ethical behaviours. The following company behaviours underpin the working environment and delivery of our vision: Customer Focus, Accountability, Team Work, Positivity, Going the Extra Mile.

Other Duties

The duties and responsibilities in this role profile are not exhaustive. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties within the general scope of the post. Any such duties should not substantially change the general character of the post. Duties outside the general scope will be mutually agreed with the post holder.

Person Specification – Financial Controller / Head of Finance

All criteria below are essential unless stated as “Desirable”.

• Education and qualifications
  Relevant accountancy qualification such as ACA, CIMA or ACCA. Minimum of 5 years in a similar role in industry.
• Experience, knowledge and understanding
  Proficient in Microsoft Excel (pivot tables, vlookups). Experience in a strategic role with a proven ability to lead improvement initiatives. Solid knowledge of transactional activity in the role/department. Manufacturing industry experience and knowledge of export/international transactions are desirable (D). Knowledge of ODBC (Open Database Conn) is desirable (D).
• Skills
  Excellent attention to detail, strong communication (oral and written), proficient IT skills, and familiarity with Pegasus Opera (other ERP/HR systems are an advantage). Good time management, organisational skills, and the ability to liaise with internal and external stakeholders. Ability to present complex data clearly.
• Personal qualities and commitment
  Commitment to providing excellent financial support, confidentiality, integrity, reliability, and a proactive “can-do” attitude. A natural leader with a passion for continuous improvement.
• Other factors
  International experience is an advantage. Driving licence. Flexible working as required.

For more information or to register interest, please visit (url removed). We welcome discussing this role informally.

Why We're Different: Westlakes Recruit is a people solutions business focused on nuclear sector objectives. We are equal opportunities and value applications from all backgrounds, cultures and abilities.