Role Purpose
The Part-Time Head of Finance is responsible for overseeing the company's financial management, business reporting, forecasting, supply chain oversight, governance and risk management activities. The role provides commercial insight to support strategic decision-making while ensuring robust financial controls, compliance with statutory obligations and efficient operational processes. As a key member of the leadership team, the role works closely with the CEO, marketing team and external advisors to support the continued growth and profitability of the business.
Key Responsibilities
Business Support
- Provide financial and commercial support to the CEO and leadership team.
- Monitor business performance against targets and drive business changes to meet and exceed those targets.
- Support marketing planning and performance analysis.
- Support system and process improvements via new technology, inclusive of AI.
Financial Management & Reporting
- Own the monthly management accounts process.
- Prepare financial reporting for the monthly Board pack.
- Produce meaningful financial analysis and recommendations for management.
- Maintain strong financial controls and processes across the business.
Budgeting, Forecasting & Commercial Analysis
- Lead the annual budgeting process.
- Update rolling forecasts every month.
- Partner with department heads to ensure forecasts reflect business activities.
- Develop and monitor business KPIs.
- Analyse profitability and contribution by channel, product and customer segment.
- Deliver ad hoc commercial analysis to support business decisions.
Cashflow & Treasury Management
- Monitor cash flow and liquidity requirements.
- Manage company banking arrangements and signatory administration.
- Optimise cash held on deposit.
Supply Chain & Inventory Management
- Review inventory performance, stock value, rate of sale and days-on-hand on at least a weekly basis.
- Work closely with suppliers and operational teams to maintain stock availability.
- Review supplier pricing changes and assess margin implications.
- Oversee packaging compliance reporting.
- Support warehouse order and inventory forecasting.
Statutory Compliance & Tax
- Ensure timely filing of statutory accounts
- Coordinate corporation tax information requirements.
- Manage the year-end process and act as principal contact for external accountants and advisors.
- Manage VAT reporting and submissions.
- Maintain awareness of changes in relevant legislation and regulations.
Payroll & Benefits
- Review and approve payroll before processing.
- Support the administration of company benefits.
Governance & Company Secretarial
- Attend Board meetings and prepare meeting minutes.
- Manage Companies House filings and statutory records.
- Ensure compliance with all company secretarial requirements.
- Support the Board with governance matters.
Risk Management
- Participate in quarterly risk management reviews.
- Maintain and monitor the corporate risk register.
- Identify areas of operational and financial risk.
- Recommend and implement mitigating controls.
Investor & Stakeholder Relations
- Respond to investor information requests.
- Support fundraising, shareholder reporting and due diligence activities as needed.
Manage the Finance Team
- Provide support and development for the 2 members of the finance team, a CIMA qualified Finance Manager and an Accounts Assistant, wanting to start their professional exams.
Experience & Qualifications needed
Essential Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with at least 6 years PQE.
- Experience producing management accounts, board reporting, and statutory accounts.
- Strong budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management expertise.
- Experience within SME businesses.
- Commercial finance and business partnering experience.
- Experience managing external advisors, including accountants and tax specialists.
- Strong Excel and financial modelling skills.
Desirable Experience
- E-commerce, consumer products, retail or FMCG sector experience.
- Inventory and supply chain management exposure.
- Company secretarial experience.
- Investor relations experience.
Skills & Competencies
- Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
- Highly analytical and detail-oriented.
- Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
- Able to operate both strategically and hands-on.
- Comfortable working in an SME environment.
- Excellent organisational and prioritisation skills.
- Strong integrity and professional judgement.
Salary and benefits
- Full-time equivalent salary of £90,000, pro-rata to £54,000.
- 20% annual bonus for meeting company targets.
- 6% company pension contribution, you contribute 5%.
- Life insurance at 4 x salary.
- 33 days annual leave, including public holidays, pro-rata. Annual leave increases by 1 day after 2, 4 and 6 years’ service.
- 2 wellbeing days per year, pro-rata, to proactively support your physical and mental wellbeing.
- Your Birthday off.
- Hybrid working, with a minimum of 2 days a week from the Edinburgh Office.
- Modern workspace with onsite parking, café, free gym access, changing rooms with drying lockers, free fruit, lunches and excellent coffee.
- Employee discount scheme.
- Employee assistance helpline access for support at challenging times
