Head of Finance

Hays Accountancy and Finance; Hailsham; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company is seeking a Head of Finance to oversee financial operations and strategic planning within a dynamic environment. The role involves direct management of a finance team and ensuring compliance with financial regulations while driving efficiency through automation and process optimization. Ideal candidates will be qualified accountants with a strong background in finance leadership in SMEs.

Benefits

25 days' holiday plus bank holiday

Pension

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with ACA/CIMA/CIPFA/ACCA.
• Experience in leading finance teams within SMEs.
• Knowledge of VAT regulations and payroll tax compliance.

Responsibilities

• Oversee finance, IT, and Health & Safety functions.
• Manage financial operations including accounting, budgeting, and forecasting.
• Liaise with external financial services for reporting.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Financial Recommendations

Risk Management

Process Optimisation

Automation

Education

ACA

CIMA

CIPFA

ACCA

Job description

Your new company
Our client is looking to recruit a Head of Finance for an office-based role.

Your new role
You will be an experienced and strategic finance professional to take on a senior leadership role overseeing Finance, IT, and Health & Safety functions. You will manage a team of direct reports, including conducting annual performance reviews, and providing strategic financial recommendations to the executive team. You will be responsible for all aspects of financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, tax, and treasury, while ensuring compliance with statutory law, charity commission requirements, and financial reporting standards. Key duties include liaising with external financial services for reporting, leading financial planning and analysis to support long-term goals, and developing systems for project profitability and job costing. The role also includes reviewing and approving monthly payments, managing online banking processes, and ensuring VAT compliance. Additional responsibilities involve supporting external audits, preparing annual budgets and quarterly reforecasts, maintaining rolling cash flow forecasts, and monitoring key performance indicators. The ideal candidate will be proactive in identifying and mitigating financial, legal, and operational risks, and will lead the finance team with a focus on accountability and continuous improvement. A strong emphasis is placed on driving efficiency through automation and process optimisation. This is a critical role for someone looking to make a significant impact in a dynamic and mission-driven environment.

What you'll need to succeed
You will be an ACA, CIMA, CIPFA or ACCA qualified Accountant with experience of leading a finance team within a SME. You will have knowledge of VAT regulations, including partial exemption, and payroll tax compliance. You will also be involved in implementing improvements in financial systems and processes, so prior experience is a plus.

What you'll get in return
The salary is £60,000 - £70,000 with 25 days' holiday plus bank holiday and pension. This role is 100% office-based.

What you need to do now
If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or call us now. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.

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