Head of Finance

Metzger Search & Selection; Manchester; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth online business in Cheshire is seeking a Head of Finance to lead the internal finance team and implement robust accounting processes. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with strong technical expertise and a track record in financial reporting. Responsibilities include budget preparation, cash flow forecasting, and delivering accurate management accounts. Excellent communication skills and the ability to operate in a fast-paced environment are essential.

Qualifications

• Strong technical accounting expertise and proven experience in financial reporting.
• Decisive and adaptable in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to manage multi-million-pound budgets.
• Experience in leading annual audits and managing external accountants.

Responsibilities

• Establish and manage an internal finance team.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections.
• Deliver accurate management accounts for decision-making.
• Identify financial and operational risks and implement solutions.

Skills

Technical accounting expertise

Financial reporting and compliance

Communication skills

Financial analysis

Advanced Excel

Financial modelling

Education

Qualified accountant

Job description

Overview

Role Title: Head of Finance

Salary: Attractive salary and benefits

Location: Cheshire (site based)

Our client is a high-growth online business with an entrepreneurial culture, delivering innovative products within the B2C sector. Reporting directly to the CEO in this SME, the successful candidate will implement robust accounting processes to support scalable operations and drive the company’s ambitious growth plans.

The Head of Finance will serve as a strategic business partner to the CEO, taking ownership of bringing the accounting function in-house, building and leading a high-performing finance team, and implementing sophisticated forecasting and planning frameworks to drive integrated decision-making across marketing, operations, and other key business functions.

Responsibilities

• Establishing and managing an internal finance team to transition away from external accounting services.
• Designing and embedding best-practice accounting processes.
• Leading the preparation of budgets, forecasts, and cash flow projections to guide strategic planning.
• Delivering accurate and timely management accounts to support effective decision-making.
• Overseeing detailed analysis of monthly and quarterly results, providing actionable insights to senior leadership.
• Managing end-to-end financial operations and serving as the primary liaison with external auditors and accountants.
• Proactively identifying financial and operational risks and implementing effective solutions.
• Driving strong working capital management and ensuring reliable cash flow forecasting.
• Preparing comprehensive weekly and monthly reporting packs for management and key stakeholders.
• Overseeing treasury activities, including cultivating and maintaining relationships with funding partners.

Candidate requirements

• A qualified accountant with strong technical accounting expertise and proven experience in financial reporting and compliance.
• Commercially minded, with a clear understanding of manufacturing operations and performance drivers.
• Decisive, adaptable, and comfortable operating in a fast-paced entrepreneurial environment.
• Strategic vision to support and scale with significant business growth.
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to influence and collaborate across all levels of the organisation.
• Strong track record in delivering financial analysis to support senior management in both operational and strategic decision-making.
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
• Demonstrated experience in producing and managing multi-million-pound budgets.
• Proven ability to lead annual audits and manage relationships with external accountants.
• Highly organised, with the capability to meet strict deadlines while delivering to the highest standard.

If this sounds of interest, please send your CV in Word format, quoting reference 33300/LT/EL detailing your current remuneration package and availability. If your application is of interest, one of our consultants will be in touch. We regret we cannot take telephone enquiries relating to this vacancy, due to the high level of responses expected.