Head of Finance

Magpie Recruitment; London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading luxury travel company seeks a Head of Finance to oversee financial strategies and team management. You will directly influence business growth and operations, refining accounting processes and enhancing financial reporting. Ideal candidates have substantial experience in finance within the travel or luxury services sector, ensuring compliance and strategic direction while collaborating with senior management.

Benefits

25 days holiday

Comprehensive healthcare

Professional development

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years in a senior finance/accounting role.
• Part-qualified or fully qualified (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Hands-on experience with Xero and strong Excel skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a finance team to ensure financial accuracy.
• Develop and execute financial strategies for company objectives.
• Prepare monthly management accounts including P&Ls and cash-flow statements.

Skills

Leadership

Financial Strategy

Data Analysis

Communication

Proactive Mindset

Education

ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Xero

Salesforce

Excel

Job description

Head of Finance (Financial Controller) Location: United Kingdom (Office-based) Salary: £65,000 + £20,000
performance-based bonus
Benefits: 25 days holiday, comprehensive healthcare, professional development

About Our Client Magpie Recruitment is partnering with a leading luxury travel company that specializes in highly curated VIP experiences across the UK, Ireland, Paris, and Normandy. They deliver bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime itineraries from exclusive estate tours to behind-the-scenes cultural access backed by exceptional service and deep local expertise.

Why This Role Is Exceptional

• Strategic Visibility: Report directly to the Owner, with immediate influence on financial strategy and business growth.
• Immediate Impact:
• First Six Months: Refine core accounting processes, ensure flawless Xero Salesforce integration, and elevate management reporting.
• Year Two: Lead technology and efficiency initiatives implement new tools to streamline operations and maximize profitability.
• Career Progression: Shape the finance function from a small, high performing team to a scalable operation, with potential to evolve into a CFO-style role.
• Competitive Package: Solid base salary plus a consistently paid £20k bonus, plus 25 days holiday and healthcare.

Key Responsibilities

• Leadership & Team Management
• Lead and mentor a lean finance team, fostering accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, training, and ensure day-to-day financial operations run smoothly.
• Collaborate with the Owner on commercial decisions, providing data-driven insights.
• Financial Strategy & Planning
• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with short- and long-term company objectives.
• Own budgeting and forecasting partner with senior leaders to set targets and resource allocations.
• Present clear, actionable financial forecasts and risk analyses to the Owner.
• Reporting & Analysis
• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts: P&Ls, balance sheets, and cash-flow statements.
• Ensure seamless reconciliation between Xero accounting records and Salesforce sales data.
• Deliver insightful reports on sales performance, commission structures, and cash-flow projections.
• Compliance & Governance
• Oversee statutory reporting and corporate governance ensure all filings (including VAT under the TOMS scheme) are timely and accurate.
• Maintain robust internal controls, data protection, and GDPR compliance.
• Manage interactions with external auditors, HMRC, and banking partners.
• Operational Finance & Cash Management
• Lead all banking relationships and daily cash-flow management.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities, resolve general ledger discrepancies, and manage payroll journals.
• Oversee AP/AR processes: reconcile control accounts, monitor debtors, and resolve supplier queries.

What We re Looking For

• Sector Expertise:
• Minimum 5 years in a senior finance/accounting role (e.g., Assistant Financial Controller or Finance Manager) within travel, hospitality, or luxury services.
• Professional Qualifications:
• Part-qualified or fully qualified (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Technical Proficiency:
• Deep hands-on experience with Xero (cloud accounting) and strong Excel skills.
• Working knowledge of Salesforce data reconciliation or similar CRM-accounting integration is highly desirable.
• Commercial Acumen:
• Proven understanding of profit margins, VAT (including TOMS), tax planning, and cash-flow management in a seasonal environment.
• Leadership & Communication:
• Experienced in managing a small finance team, conducting reviews and training.
• Excellent verbal and written communication able to produce professional reports and present to senior stakeholders.
• Personal Attributes:
• Solutions-focused, proactive, and able to operate with high integrity and discretion.
• Collaborative mindset comfortable liaising with Operations, Sales, Marketing, and external advisors.

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience working with Virtuoso travel agents or similar high-end networks.
• Hands-on familiarity with Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS) and foreign-exchange risk management.