Head of Finance

Three Bridges Recruitment LTD; United Kingdom; Hybrid; GBP 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

45 days annual leave

Pension with 17% employer contribution

35-hour working week

Hybrid working

Job summary

Three Bridges Recruitment is partnering with a prestigious Scottish Borders organisation to recruit a Head of Finance. You will lead finance and procurement, provide high-quality financial information to the SLT and Board, and drive improvements across governance and controls.

Hybrid working is possible after establishment in the role. We’re looking for a fully qualified CCAB accountant with strong leadership, budgeting, and external audit experience, able to develop a high-performing team and

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with CCAB-recognised qualification.
• Proven experience leading finance teams.
• Strong financial reporting and statutory accounts knowledge.
• Experience with year-end and external audits.
• Excellent communication with senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance and procurement functions.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and statutory financial statements.
• Oversee year-end accounts and manage external auditors.
• Ensure robust controls, governance and compliance.
• Manage budgets, forecasts and cashflow planning.
• Provide financial insight to SLT and Board.

Skills

Finance leadership

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cashflow management

External audit

Stakeholder comms

Education

Chartered accountant (CA) or ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA

Job description

Three Bridges Recruitment is delighted to be partnering with a highly prestigious organisation in the Scottish Borders to recruit a Head of Finance.

This is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced finance leader to make a genuine impact within an organisation undergoing a period of positive change and development.

You will take responsibility for the day-to-day leadership of the finance and procurement functions, supporting the Senior Leadership Team and Board with high-quality financial information and strategic insight. With recent changes to the finance structure and systems, this role offers the opportunity to develop a high-performing team, strengthen financial controls and drive improvements across the organisation.

Why Work Here?

• Salary circa £61,500
• 45 days annual leave
• Excellent pension scheme with approximately 17% employer contribution
• 35-hour working week
• Flexible working policies with potential for hybrid working once established in the role
• Opportunity to lead and develop a finance team
• Key role within the Senior Leadership Team
• Genuine opportunity to influence change and improve financial processes
• Join an organisation making a positive impact within its local community

Job

The role of Head of Finance will give you the opportunity to be involved with the following:

• Leading and developing the finance and procurement functions, creating a positive and supportive team environment
• Managing and mentoring finance staff, supporting professional development and improving team performance
• Overseeing the preparation of monthly management accounts and annual statutory financial statements
• Leading the year-end accounts process and managing relationships with external auditors
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance and compliance with relevant accounting standards
• Managing annual revenue and capital budgets, financial forecasts and cashflow planning
• Working closely with budget holders and senior stakeholders to support effective financial decision‑making
• Preparing financial reports and presenting information to the Senior Leadership Team, Board and relevant committees
• Supporting the organisation's financial planning and reporting obligations to external funding bodies
• Embedding recent finance systems improvements and identifying opportunities to streamline processes
• Driving continuous improvement, reducing manual processes and strengthening financial reporting
• Providing financial insight to support capital projects, business planning and commercial opportunities
• Ensuring appropriate procurement processes, policies and compliance are maintained

You

As Head of Finance you will be skilled and/or qualified in the following:

• Fully qualified accountant (CA, ACCA, CIMA, CIPFA or equivalent CCAB-recognised qualification)
• Proven experience leading and developing finance teams
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including statutory accounts preparation and financial reporting
• Experience managing year-end accounts and leading external audit processes
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management experience
• Experience improving financial controls, systems and processes
• Previous involvement in organisational change or finance transformation
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with senior stakeholders and non-finance colleagues
• Experience preparing and presenting financial information to senior leadership teams and Boards
• Strong leadership skills with a supportive, approachable and collaborative management style
• Comfortable taking a hands‑on approach while also contributing to strategic financial planning
• Highly organised with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines
• Experience within education, the public sector or a charitable organisation would be advantageous
• Knowledge of public sector funding and reporting requirements would be beneficial
• Willingness to maintain a visible on-site presence, particularly during the initial period

At Three Bridges Recruitment, two of our values are "striving for brilliance" and "relatability". We want every applicant to receive an excellent experience and ensure that this role is right for you.