Head of Finance

Farrer Barnes Ltd; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Performance-related bonus

Company pension

20 days’ holiday plus bank holidays

Professional-development and CPD

Job summary

Farrer Barnes Ltd in London is seeking a hands-on Head of Finance to partner with the Managing Director, taking ownership of the finance function across a multi-entity group and guiding growth toward a Finance Director role.

You will build and lead a finance team, deliver timely management accounts, forecasts and board reporting, and manage cash flow, controls and statutory submissions. The role offers an entrepreneurial environment and a clear path to FD.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or finalist with significant senior experience.
• Experience as Head of Finance or Finance Director within an SME or group.
• Hands-on with strategic commercial input while leading from the front.
• Strong management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow skills.
• Experience with multi-entity accounting and group reporting.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end finance across multiple group entities.
• Produce monthly management accounts, forecasts, budgets and board reports.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, credit control and banking relations.
• Oversee payroll, pensions, VAT, CIS and statutory submissions.
• Improve reporting processes and maximise Sage usage.
• Recruit, develop and lead a finance team as the business grows.

Skills

Management accounting

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cash-flow management

Sage expertise

Financial reporting

Stakeholder communication

Team leadership

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or finalist

Tools

Sage

Excel

Job description

About the Company

An ambitious, privately owned group operating across construction, infrastructure and related services is seeking a senior finance professional to join its leadership team. With a strong turnover, entrepreneurial culture and clear growth plans, the business offers the opportunity to take genuine ownership of the finance function and progress into a Finance Director position.

The Role

We are looking for a hands-on Head of Finance to work closely with the Managing Director as a trusted commercial and financial partner. Initially, you will take responsibility for the full finance function across a multi-entity group, balancing day-to-day financial management with strategic insight. As the business grows, you will build and lead a finance team, with a clear route to Finance Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the end-to-end finance function across multiple group entities.
• Produce timely monthly management accounts, forecasts, budgets and board-level reporting.
• Manage cash flow, working capital, credit control, supplier payments and banking relationships.
• Oversee payroll, pensions, VAT, CIS and other statutory submissions.
• Strengthen financial controls, processes and purchase-order procedures.
• Deliver commercial reporting on contract, customer, project and divisional profitability.
• Support investment appraisals, pricing decisions, growth initiatives and potential acquisitions.
• Work with external accountants and auditors on year-end requirements.
• Improve reporting processes and finance systems, including maximising the use of Sage.
• Recruit, develop and manage a finance team as the business expands.

Desirable Skills

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or a finalist with substantial senior-level experience.
• Experience as a Head of Finance, Finance Manager, Financial Controller or Finance Director within an SME or group environment.
• Comfortable operating in a standalone, hands-on role while providing strategic commercial input.
• Strong management accounting, budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow management experience.
• Exposure to multi-entity accounting and group reporting.
• Construction, engineering, logistics, waste, plant hire or project-based industry experience would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of CIS, project accounting, valuations, retentions or applications for payment is desirable.
• Strong Excel and accounting-systems skills; Sage experience is preferred.
• A practical, commercially minded communicator who can confidently challenge and advise senior stakeholders.

Benefits

• £65,000 - £75,000 salary, depending on experience.
• Performance-related bonus.
• Company pension.
• 20 days’ holiday plus bank holidays.
• Professional-development and CPD support.
• Clear and genuine progression to Finance Director.
• Supportive, entrepreneurial working environment.

Farrer Barnes Ltd does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation.

Farrer Barnes Ltd acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers.