Interim Head of Finance / Financial Controller

Wade Macdonald; Reading; Hybrid; GBP 83,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Wade Macdonald is helping a SaaS business in Reading fill an Interim Head of Finance / Controller role. This hands-on position oversees daily finance operations, leads year-end activity, and supports a transition to new group finance systems.

The role requires ACA/CIMA/ACCA qualifications, strong Excel, and SaaS experience. You’ll be based near Reading with hybrid working options and full-right-to-work in the UK.

Qualifications

• ACA/CIMA/ACCA qualified.
• SaaS experience.
• Strong Excel skills.
• UK right to work.
• Hands-on approach.

Responsibilities

• Overseeing day-to-day accounting across ledgers, expenses, journals and reconciliations.
• Producing customer invoices and processing supplier invoices/payments.
• Delivering monthly and quarterly financial reporting within group deadlines.
• Preparing year-end accounts information and liaising with external accountants/auditors.
• Managing HMRC requirements including VAT, payroll year-end and P11D.
• Reviewing payroll and pension submissions and compliance.
• Monitoring cash flow, forecasting and banking transactions.
• Maintaining fixed asset register.
• Reviewing corporation tax assessments including R&D considerations.
• Supporting integration to new systems and processes and contract activity.

Skills

Financial controls

Excel skills

Communication

Hands-on mentality

SaaS experience

Education

ACA/CIMA/ACCA

Tools

Xero

NetSuite

Job description

Interim Head of Finance / Controller (SaaS)

Contract: 6-month interim assignment / day rate (inside) or FTC

About the Client

Our client is an established SaaS business going through an important period of integration and change. They have a collaborative culture built around openness, integrity, customer focus and high standards, with employees encouraged to take ownership and work together to achieve positive outcomes.

About the Job

This is a hands-on Interim Head of Finance / Controller position responsible for overseeing the day-to-day finance function while supporting a wider business integration. Alongside maintaining robust financial operations, you will take responsibility for year-end activity, reporting and compliance, while helping transition the organisation onto new group finance systems and processes.

Duties will include:

• Managing day-to-day accounting activities across sales and purchase ledgers, expenses, journals and reconciliations.
• Producing customer invoices and ensuring supplier invoices and payments are processed accurately.
• Delivering monthly and quarterly financial reporting within group deadlines.
• Preparing the year-end accounts information and acting as a key contact for external accountants and auditors.
• Managing HMRC requirements, including VAT, payroll year-end and P11D reporting.
• Reviewing payroll and pension submissions and ensuring relevant compliance requirements are met.
• Monitoring cash flow, supporting forecasting and managing banking transactions.
• Maintaining accurate accounting records, including the fixed asset register.
• Reviewing corporation tax assessments, including relevant R&D considerations.
• Taking responsibility for the financial elements of the wider integration, including the move to new systems and processes and, where required, supporting customer and supplier contract activity.

About the Successful Applicant

You will have proven Financial Controls experience within an SME environment - ACA, CIMA or ACCA qualified. Strong Excel skills, attention to detail and excellent communication are essential. SaaS experience and knowledge of Xero or NetSuite would be advantageous. You will be self-motivated, flexible and comfortable taking a genuinely hands-on approach.

Essential: SaaS experience - living in commutable distance of Reading, qualified and full right to work in the UK

What You Will Receive in Return

This is a six-month interim opportunity offering considerable flexibility, with full-time arrangements available and the option to work hybrid from Reading