Head of Finance

ICAEW; Watford; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

Salary circa £70,000 + benefits

Senior finance leadership role

Job summary

ICAEW in Watford is seeking a Head of Finance to lead the finance function, team development, and robust financial governance within a purpose-driven organisation. The role reports to the Finance Director and shapes strategic financial planning with senior leadership.

The successful candidate will be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified, with a track record in not-for-profit settings, strong reporting controls, and a collaborative leadership style.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Experience in Social Housing, Charity or Not-for-Profit sector.
• Proven experience leading and developing finance teams.
• Strong financial reporting, controls and compliance knowledge.
• Experience managing audit and year-end processes.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial planning skills.
• Excellent communication and senior stakeholder management.
• Ability to drive improvements across finance.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the finance function
• Manage, support and develop the finance team
• Ensure robust financial controls, processes and governance
• Oversee accurate and timely financial reporting
• Lead the year-end audit process and support regulatory compliance
• Support budgeting, forecasting and longer-term financial planning
• Contribute to senior leadership and Board reporting
• Work closely with the Finance Director on financial strategy
• Partner effectively with stakeholders across the organisation
• Drive improvements to systems, processes and efficiency
• Support wider transformation and change initiatives

Skills

Finance leadership

Financial reporting

Controls & compliance

Audit management

Budgeting & forecasting

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

Change agility

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Job description

Head of FinanceLocation: Watford / Hertfordshire
Salary: Circa £70,000 + benefits
Working pattern: Hybrid working
Contract: Permanent, Full-time

The Opportunity

We are recruiting an experienced Head of Finance to join a well-established, purpose-led organisation based in the Watford area.This is a key senior leadership position within the Finance Directorate, reporting to the Finance Director and taking responsibility for the effective day-to-day leadership of the finance function.You will combine strong technical and operational finance expertise with excellent people leadership, helping to maintain robust financial controls while supporting continuous improvement, transformation and longer-term financial planning.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day operation of the finance function
• Manage, support and develop the finance team
• Ensure robust financial controls, processes and governance
• Oversee accurate and timely financial reporting
• Lead the year-end audit process and support regulatory compliance
• Support budgeting, forecasting and longer-term financial planning
• Contribute to senior leadership and Board reporting
• Work closely with the Finance Director on financial strategy
• Partner effectively with stakeholders across the organisation
• Drive improvements to systems, processes and efficiency
• Support wider transformation and change initiatives

About You

We are looking for an experienced finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with a collaborative and forward-thinking approach.

• Fully qualified accountant - ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
• Previous experience within Social Housing, Charity or the wider Not-for-Profit sector
• Proven experience leading and developing finance teams
• Strong financial reporting, controls and compliance knowledge
• Experience managing audit and year-end processes
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and financial planning skills
• Excellent communication and senior stakeholder management skills
• A track record of driving improvements across finance
• Confidence working within a changing and evolving organisation

What's on Offer?

• Circa £70,000 + benefits
• Hybrid working
• A broad and influential senior finance leadership role
• Opportunity to work closely with the Finance Director and senior leadership team
• Scope to drive improvement, transformation and positive change
• The chance to contribute to an organisation delivering genuine social impact

This is an excellent opportunity for an established Head of Finance, Financial Controller or senior finance professional looking for a broad leadership role within a purpose-led organisation.If you are a qualified finance professional with Social Housing, Charity or Not-for-Profit experience,