Head of Finance and Business Support

Westworks Procurement; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A nonprofit procurement organization in Swindon seeks a Head of Finance to guide its financial direction and oversee all financial activities. This role includes managing the finance team, ensuring compliance, and providing strategic insights. Candidates must possess strong financial accounting experience and excellent communication skills. AAT Level 4 or equivalent is required. The position offers a competitive salary and hybrid working options along with benefits including 28 days holiday and a wellbeing program.

Benefits

Competitive salary

28 days holiday + bank holidays

Your birthday off

Learning and development opportunities

Healthcare cash-back scheme

Up to 10% pension contributions

Casual dress code

Free on-site parking

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs including Grade 4+ or C in English and Maths.
• A level qualifications.
• Experience managing ledgers and financial reporting.

Responsibilities

• Manage and develop the Finance & Business Support Team.
• Oversee all financial operations and accounting processes.
• Provide financial insight to support decision-making.
• Prepare financial reports and oversee compliance.

Skills

Numerical skills

Attention to detail

Financial reporting

Time management

Communication skills

Education

Level 4 AAT qualified or equivalent

Tools

QuickBooks

MS Office

Job description

About Westworks…

Westworks simplifies procurement for the public sector, making it more efficient, flexible, and cost-effective. As a not-for-profit organisation, we are dedicated to creating better futures for our communities. We specialise in the compliant procurement of construction, maintenance, repair, and management services, delivering real value for people and the public purse. Our dynamic procurement systems support every objective and help connect public sector bodies with trusted suppliers. With a growing list of suppliers, Westworks ensures a transparent, compliant, and evolving procurement process.

About the role…

The Head of Finance will play a critical role in guiding the financial direction of the company. Reporting directly to the CEO, this position will be responsible for overseeing all financial activities, including accounting, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting. The ideal candidate will have a strategic mindset, with the ability to provide insights that drive the company’s financial performance and growth.

What you can expect to do in this role…

• Manage and develop the Finance & Business Support Team.
• Overall responsibility for all financial operations, accounting processes, budget planning, forecasting accuracy and business support functions.
• Overall responsibility for the delivery of the Business Support functions.
• Design and implement internal finance processes.
• Providing financial insight to support decision-making.
• Cost and break-even analysis.
• Production of management accounts with accompanying narrative for the CEO.
• Audit preparation.
• Production of month-end and statutory accounts.
• Manage the preparation of all financial reporting, including monthly financial statements, budget variance analysis, and year-end financial reports.
• Manage, run, and execute all tasks relating to Payroll, including posting of relevant accounting journals and HMRC reporting/submission.
• Manage, run and execute processes relating to VAT and Corporation Tax, including relevant bookkeeping provisions and journals.
• Work closely with the senior team to develop and control the company’s annual budget.
• Support the CEO with the implementation of the Treasury Management Policy.
• Ensure compliance with statutory law and financial regulations.
• Supervision of and, as required, delivery of Bank account, balance sheet and ledger reconciliation.
• Preparing Financial Business Cases for investment.
• Creating clear financial reports and infographics to assist with the communication of complex financial information.
• Manage cash flow.
• Develop an accurate forecasting process and reporting mechanism.
• Analyse and manage risk, including credit, market, liquidity, and operational risks.
• Lead financial planning and analysis efforts, offering insights and financial advice that will allow the company to make informed business decisions.
• Drive the continuous improvement of end-to-end accounting practices.

To be successful, you’ll bring…

• Previous experience in financial accounting, accounts preparation and statutory reporting.
• Previous experience in budgeting, management accounting, financial reporting and variance analysis.
• Previous experience in managing ledgers and period-end / year-end processes.
• Experience in providing financial risk analysis reporting.
• Proven experience of successfully line managing and developing staff.

Skills you’ll need to excel…

• Excellent numerical skills, demonstrating accuracy and attention to detail.
• Demonstrates strong attention to detail and promotes a culture of strong financial control.
• Demonstrates honesty, integrity, reliability and the ability to ensure confidentiality at all times.
• Friendly, well organised, with the ability to multitask and perform well under pressure.
• Strong time management skills with a flexible approach to work.
• Able to communicate to the highest level, listens, interprets and conveys information in a clear and accurate manner, provides timely delivery of information and selects the most appropriate method of communication.
• Works within a team environment, cooperates with others, considers the needs of others and helps others to achieve objectives.
• Ability to work autonomously on own initiative, pro-active in managing one's own time, building an understanding of the internal and external environment in order to deliver work in a highly effective and professional manner and to stringent deadlines.
• Resilience and the ability to always maintain professionalism.
• Excellent IT skills (including MS Office: Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

You’ll stand out if you have…

• Experience working within a not for profit or similar setting.
• Knowledge of QuickBooks accounting software (or equivalent software packages).

Qualifications you can demonstrate…

• 5 GCSEs including Grade 4+ or C in English and Maths; qualification.
• A level qualifications.
• Level 4 AAT qualified or equivalent qualification or experience.

What you can expect in return…

• Competitive salary
• 28 days holiday PLUS bank holidays
• Your birthday off
• Hybrid working
• Flexible approach to ways of working
• Learning and development opportunities
• Staff wellbeing program
• Healthcare cash-back scheme
• Up to 10% pension contributions
• Enhanced sick, maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Values-based culture
• Team outings
• Free on-site parking
• Casual dress code