Interim Head of Finance

Michael Page (UK); Oxford; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company seeks a Head of Finance in central Oxford to manage financial reporting and compliance for various entities. This interim position requires a qualified accountant with significant experience in complex organizations, offering a hybrid work model and a 6-month contract.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA or equivalent qualifications.
• Team management experience and financial controls background.
• Experience in large complex organizations.

Responsibilities

• Lead management accounting support across legal entities.
• Oversee annual financial statement preparation and audits.
• Ensure compliance with internal financial regulations.

Skills

Financial Management

Reporting

Team Management

Budgeting

Tax Compliance

Education

Fully qualified Accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA)

Job description

The Head of Finance will lead the financial management and reporting for a broad range or legal entities in the UK and abroad. This temporary position is based in central Oxford, 2 days per week hybrid working, and would suit a qualified accountant from a large complex bluechip organisation.

Client Details

This role is based within a large UK business with a global reach. Focused on investment, development and growth of their joint ventures.

Description

The Head of Finance is responsible for the following:

Management Accounting & Budgeting

• Lead the team in delivering management accounting support across a range of legal entities and joint ventures.
• Monitor financial performance against budgets, explain significant variances, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support forward planning and budgeting for these entities, providing financial advice to senior management.
• Work with Company Secretaries to ensure Boards are fully informed on financial matters, including preparing papers and recommendations for Board approval.

Financial Reporting

• Oversee the preparation of annual financial statements for assigned entities.
• Coordinate audits, act as the main point of contact for auditors, and ensure timely resolution of any issues raised.

Group Reporting

• Provide required financial data for group consolidation on a monthly, quarterly, and annual basis.
• Make adjustments to align with relevant reporting standards and support reconciliation of intercompany balances.

Tax Compliance

• Ensure VAT submissions are accurate and submitted on time.
• Prepare draft corporation tax returns and liaise with tax teams for review.
• Monitor commercial activity for tax reporting accuracy and lead related communications and training.

Process Oversight & Compliance

• Ensure all responsible entities comply with internal financial regulations.
• Establish financial systems and processes for new legal entities and joint ventures.
• Oversee daily processing activities, review junior team members' work, and provide guidance and training as needed.

Profile

This role would suit a qualified accountant with strong controls experience gained perhaps from qualifying in practice (ACA for example) who has then worked for a large bluechip and complex organisation as Financial Controller, Divisional Finance Director or Head of Finance.

• Experience gained in a large ( > £200m T/O) business in the private/ public sector is essential.
• Fully qualified Accountant ( ACCA, CIMA, ACA) is essential.
• Team management experience is essential.

This position offers hybrid working - 2 days office, 3 from home.

Located in central Oxford candidates will need to be able to commute by Train or Park & Ride as parking is not available.

Job Offer

• Interim / Contract position role
• 6 month contract
• Heart of central Oxford