Head of Finance

Travel Trade Recruitment; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading travel company in London is seeking a Head of Finance to oversee financial reporting and team management. The role involves strategic financial planning, compliance, and enhancing performance within a small team. Ideal candidates will have extensive experience in finance, particularly within the travel or hospitality sector.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' experience in a senior finance/accounting role.
• Part qualified with a chartered professional accountancy body.

Responsibilities

• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning processes.
• Manage a small finance team ensuring compliance and accuracy.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to the leadership team.

Skills

Financial Management

Team Leadership

Communication

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Education

Part Qualified Accountant

Associate Degree in Accounting

Tools

Xero

Microsoft Office

Job description

We are currently seeking a Head of Finance to join a travel company in London you will be working within a small team. This is a senior role within the business, responsible for the accurate financial reporting of data, implementation, and maintaining processes that are both compliant and enhance performance. It is providing and analysing reports with recommendations where appropriate. Proactively contributing to the overall success of the business and team performance by implementing and improving systems.

If you have experience in the travel or hospitality sector we would love to hear from you.

The Job:

• Contribute to the overall goals and performance of the company. Ensuring that teams are cohesive, and finance elements are shared with the team.
• Responsible for the leading and management of a small finance team, ensuring high standards, compliance, and accuracy, promoting a culture of financial discipline and accountability across the department and company.
• Carrying out performance reviews, training, and development of a team in line with company processes.
• Develop and execute financial strategies that align with the company's short-term and long-term goals.
• Provide strategic financial guidance to the owner and leadership team.
• Lead the budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning process working with the senior leadership team to define financial goals, priorities, and resource allocations for upcoming year.
• Lead the annual budgeting process by working with HR consultant and senior
• Interpret and communicate financial data, cash flow, and statistical information to the management team.
• Prepare and maintain the annual budget, reporting any significant issues or opportunities to the Owner.
• Produce quarterly financial commission reports to affiliate associations.
• Oversee consolidation of all finance information and ensure compliance with statutory requirements and the highest standards of corporate governance.
• Ensure all company documents (internal and external) are compliant, kept up to date, signed, and filed securely.
• Responsible for all legal documents, contracts, and agreements. Ensure it is legally sound, and compliant. Make recommendations, and have approvals in place alongside ongoing recording, filing, and adherence.
• Take prime responsibility for the management of cash and all banking relationships.
• Identify and resolve any accounting and control issues related to the business, general ledger, and/or balance sheet.
• Work closely with all areas within the business to analyse expenditure and improve where possible and apply a hands-on approach where necessary or required.
• Processing payroll journals and reconciling net wages and PAYE/NI control accounts.
• Responding to queries from customers and suppliers promptly.

Skills Required:

• At least 5 years' experience in a senior finance/accounting role as an assistant financial controller or finance manager (or similar JD).
• Part qualified with one of the following chartered professional accountancy bodies (ACCA, ACAS, ICAEW, CIMA).
• Experience at senior level within finance in the Travel or Hospitality Sector.
• Understanding and able to be effective with a small team.
• Proven track record of managing and preparing accounts.
• Proven track record of understanding profit margins, VAT, Tax, and other company accounts' statistics.
• Ability to recognise cost-saving measures and implement them as required.
• Proven track record of writing professional documents.
• Proven track record of managing and organising a small office and its policies.
• Proficient in the Xero accounting system.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office programmes and particularly Word and Excel.
• Ability to forecast sales turnover and profit accurately.
• Ability to communicate accurately, and effectively in verbal and written English.
• Proven track record of collaborative working style.
• Honesty and discretion when handling confidential

Preferred but not essential:

• Fully qualified with one of the following chartered professional accountancy bodies (ACCA, ACAS, ICAEW, CIMA).
• Hold an associate degree in accounting or business administration, or equivalent business experience, as well as a knowledge of bookkeeping and generally accepted accounting principles.
• Proven track record of working with TOMS, the Tour Operators Margin Scheme.
• Experience with Salesforce preferred but not essential.

The Package:

• Salary £60,000 - £65,000
• London based (Hybrid)

Interested:

• If you would like to apply for the above vacancy, please click 'APPLY' or email your cv to [e-mail]