Head of Finance

CMC Consulting Ltd; Watford; On-site; GBP 85,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

CMC Consulting are partnering with a growing family-owned consumer business to recruit an experienced Head of Finance. You will own the finance function, manage a team, and directly support the Managing Director on strategic commercial decisions.

The role is hands-on with autonomy to shape the future of the finance function. Ideal candidates will be a qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with a track record of leading end-to-end finance, implementing scalable processes, and partnering with senior

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA
• Proven senior finance leadership experience
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and financial controls
• Experience managing end-to-end finance functions including invoicing and month-end reporting
• Experience in SME/entrepreneurial/start-up environments with process improvements
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management with senior non-finance stakeholders

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the finance function and lead the finance team
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes with management to build and monitor budgets
• Prepare monthly management accounts with variance analysis against budget
• Monitor gross profit and margins and provide commercial insight to senior management
• Partner with other areas to support commercial decision-making
• Improve finance processes, controls and systems to be scalable and efficient
• Oversee external accountants/auditors and year-end audit processes
• Manage intercompany reconciliations and financial controls
• Maintain accurate financial records and data integrity

Skills

Finance leadership

Stakeholder management

Budgeting & forecasting

Variance analysis

Commercial acumen

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

CMC Consulting are delighted to be partnering with an established and successful family-owned consumer business as they continue to grow.

They are seeking an experienced, commercially minded Head of Finance to take ownership of the finance function and play a key role in supporting the business. This is a hands-on, high-impact position offering significant autonomy, direct exposure to the Managing Director and the opportunity to shape the future of the finance function.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the finance function, managing and developing a finance team.
• Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting process, working with management to build, agree and monitor budgets.
• Prepare accurate and insightful monthly management accounts, including detailed variance analysis against budget.
• Monitor and analyse gross profit and margins, providing commercial insight to senior management.
• Act as a key business partner to other areas of the organisation, developing strong cross-functional relationships and supporting commercial decision-making.
• Take ownership of the finance infrastructure, continuously reviewing and improving processes, controls and systems to ensure they remain scalable and efficient.
• Identify opportunities to automate and streamline finance processes wherever possible.
• Manage relationships with external accountants and auditors, including responsibility for year-end audit processes.
• Oversee intercompany reconciliations and associated financial controls.
• Maintain accurate and appropriate financial records, ensuring strong data integrity across the finance function.

Experience & Skills

• Qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Previous experience in senior finance leadership position.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with excellent understanding of accounting principles and financial controls.
• Proven experience managing an end-to-end finance function, including transactional finance, invoicing, credit control, reconciliations and month-end reporting.
• Confident working with ERP systems and broader finance technology.
• Previous experience within an SME, entrepreneurial or start-up environment, with a track record of implementing and improving processes and controls.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively with senior management and non-finance stakeholders.

Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK.

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