Head of Finance

Financial Staffing Solutions; Cheshunt; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Financial Staffing Solutions is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to own the finance function and drive strategic financial support across the business. The role covers day-to-day finance, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and commercial insight for owners and senior management.

The successful candidate will lead a small team, manage working capital and stock-related metrics, and collaborate with operational teams to improve financial performance in a growing stock-based business.

Qualifications

• Experience at Financial Controller, Head of Finance or similar level.
• Stock-based, trading or distribution business experience.
• Strong management accounting and financial reporting experience.
• Stock, margins, working capital and cash-flow management.
• Experience liaising with external accountants, auditors, tax advisers and other professional advisers.
• Excellent ERP, Excel and financial systems skills.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and provide commercial insight to owners and senior management.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and financial reporting.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes and cash-flow management.
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger activities.
• Support year-end accounts and external audit processes and liaise with external accountants.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Commercial insight

Stakeholder communication

Leadership

Budgeting/Forecasting

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

A growing technology specialist business is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to take ownership of its finance function and play a key role in supporting its continued growth.

The company operates across the UK and internationally, within the wider technology and business solutions sector, supplying specialist products and services to a diverse customer base, ranging from SMEs to multinational organisations and public-sector institutions.

This is a hands-on Head of Finance position. The successful candidate will be comfortable operating at both a strategic and detailed level, taking ownership of the day-to-day finance function while providing commercial insight and support to the owners and senior management team.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of the day-to-day finance function
• Preparing monthly management accounts and financial reporting
• Managing cash flow, forecasting and working capital
• Leading the budgeting and forecasting process
• Providing financial analysis and commercial insight to the owners and senior management team
• Managing accounts payable, accounts receivable and general ledger activities
• Overseeing bank reconciliations and financial controls
• Managing VAT and other statutory financial requirements
• Supporting year-end accounts and external audit processes
• Liaising with the company's external accountants and other professional advisers
• ERP System Implementation: executing a new ERP system rollout, optimizing system workflows, and cleaning up legacy financial data
• Monitoring profitability, margins, stock and overall business performance
• Working closely with operational teams to understand performance and improve financial results
• Developing and improving financial processes, controls and systems
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency and strengthen the finance function
• Managing and develop a small finance team

The successful candidate will not simply oversee the finance function, they will be expected to understand the underlying numbers, investigate issues, improve processes and ensure the finance function delivers accurate and timely information.

The successful candidate will have strong commercial and technical accounting experience, gained within a stock-based business.

• Experience at Financial Controller, Head of Finance or similar level
• A background working within a stock-based, trading or distribution business
• Strong management accounting and financial reporting experience
• Good understanding of stock, margins, working capital and cash-flow management
• Experience working closely with owner-managed businesses and business owners
• Excellent budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management skills
• A hands-on approach and willingness to work at a detailed level
• Strong commercial awareness and the ability to challenge and advise where appropriate
• Experience liaising with external accountants, auditors, tax advisers and other professional advisers
• Excellent ERP, Excel and financial systems skills
• Experience working within a growing or entrepreneurial environment
• The ability to manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong communication skills and confidence working with senior stakeholders
• A proactive, practical and solutions-focused approach

This is an excellent opportunity for a hands-on finance professional with a stock-based business background to take ownership of a growing finance function and work closely with the owners in shaping the future development of the business.