Head of Financial Accounting

Stanton House; Exeter; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Stanton House is partnering with a profitable PE-backed business to appoint an Interim Head of Financial Accounting for an initial six-month engagement. The role demands leadership of a team of eight financial accountants and finance staff, ownership of month-end and year-end processes, and a proactive stance on controls and improvements.

The ideal candidate is ACA/ACCA qualified with IFRS expertise, and has a track record in finance management and external audits, ready to hit the ground

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA qualification and strong IFRS foundation.
• Proven experience in finance management, financial accounting or group reporting.
• Track record of leading teams through month-end and year-end processes.
• Experience managing external audits (EY or equivalent).
• Hands-on, practical leader who can hit the ground running.
• Strong people and stakeholder management, with commercial awareness.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage a team of ~8 financial accountants and finance assistants.
• Oversee monthly consolidated management accounts and close processes.
• Ensure balance sheet reconciliations and internal controls are robust.
• Own the year-end audit process and serve as main operational interface with EY.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the team on accounting issues.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes and close efficiency.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to ensure smooth finance operation and delivery.

Skills

ACA/ACCA qualified

IFRS knowledge

People management

Stakeholder management

Interim leadership

External audits experience

Tools

Access Financials

Job description

Stanton House is working with a highly profitable, private equity-backed business and a market leader in its sector, backed by a well-known investor. With revenues of approximately £100m, growing to £110m–£120m, and EBITDA of c.£35m, the business is continuing to pursue an active acquisition strategy.

The business is seeking an experienced Interim Head of Financial Accounting to join the finance team at short notice for an initial six-month engagement. This is a key role within the finance function, providing stability and leadership across the financial accounting team during a busy period of acquisitions, budgeting and year-end audit.

The successful candidate will be an experienced interim who can hit the ground running, take ownership of the day-to-day finance operation and ensure business as usual continues without disruption. There is also scope to identify and implement process improvements, support the development of the team and bring fresh perspectives to the way the function operates.

Key Responsibilities

• Team leadership: Lead and support a team of approximately eight financial accountants and finance assistants, maintaining motivation, performance and continuity.
• Month-end close: Oversee the timely and accurate production of monthly consolidated management accounts.
• Balance sheet and controls: Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed, financial controls are maintained and issues are identified and resolved.
• Year-end audit: Take ownership of the day-to-day audit process, coordinating information requests, preparing supporting schedules and acting as the main operational interface with EY.
• Financial accounting: Provide technical guidance and support to the team, drawing on previous hands-on experience to resolve issues and maintain high standards.
• Process improvement: Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, controls, reporting and the efficiency of the month-end close.
• Stakeholder management: Work closely with the Financial Controller, Finance Director and CFO, providing confidence that the core finance operation is running effectively.
• Team development: Support the continued development of an established team, providing guidance and constructive challenge where appropriate.

The Ideal Candidate

• ACA/ACCA qualified, with a strong technical accounting foundation and a solid understanding of IFRS.
• Experienced in finance management, financial accounting or group reporting, with a track record of leading teams through month-end and year-end processes.
• Proven experience managing external audits
• A hands-on, practical leader who can quickly assess a situation, take ownership and deliver without needing time to grow into the role.
• Strong people management skills, able to maintain an established team's motivation while providing support, guidance and development.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to look beyond the numbers and identify opportunities to improve processes.
• Confident working with senior stakeholders and providing constructive input into how the finance function operates.
• An experienced interim who is comfortable being parachuted into a business and delivering immediate impact.

Big Four experience is not essential. The priority is a technically credible, experienced finance leader with the judgement, interpersonal skills and practical experience to take control of the day-to-day operation.

The Business and Systems

• Revenue: c.£100m, expected to grow to £110m–£120m.
• Finance system: Access Financials.
• Reporting: UK-focused group with a relatively straightforward consolidation, with the majority of trading activity within one entity.
• Audit: EY.
• Team: Approximately eight financial accountants and finance assistants.
• Financial year-end: October, with statutory accounts required by the end of April. The interim will play a key role in managing the year-end audit process with EY through to completion
• Start date: As soon as possible, ideally within the next couple of weeks.
• Location: South Coast, with ad hoc travel required.
• Working arrangements: Ideally, two visits per month initially, typically involving one overnight stay and around two days on site per visit, this could move to a remote role once settled in.
• Travel expenses: Business travel to be expensed in line with the agreed arrangements.

Please reach out if the above is of interest, unfortunately, we will not be able to provide feedback to all unsuccessul applications.