The Head of Finance is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day finance department at the main operating subsidiary of the Group and ensuring that it produces accurate and timely financial information to support operational and strategic decision-making. The role will also support the production of the Group monthly management accounts, the annual report and interim accounts. The role includes preparation of monthly management accounts, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting strong financial controls across the business. The postholder will work closely with budget holders and senior management, proactively engaging across the subsidiary and wider business to provide clear financial insight, challenge assumptions where appropriate, and help drive the performance of the business.
Ideal start date July 2026. Interim role would be considered.
Key Responsibilities
- Prepare monthly subsidiary and group management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow reporting.
- Lead or support month-end close activities, including accruals, prepayments, journals and reconciliations.
- Produce budgets, forecasts and reforecasts, with analysis of actual performance against budget.
- Provide variance analysis and commentary to explain financial performance and key trends.
- Maintain balance sheet reconciliations and investigate reconciling items on a timely basis.
- Support cash flow forecasting and monitoring of working capital.
- Prepare and support payment runs, ensuring supplier payments are processed accurately, on time and in line with approval procedures and cash flow requirements.
- Participate in sales forecast meetings, providing financial input, challenge and reporting to support accurate forecasting and business planning.
- Proactively engage with stakeholders across the business to support financial understanding, accountability and informed decision-making.
- Partner with operational and departmental managers to improve financial understanding and cost control.
- Provide financial insight and challenge to support decision-making and help drive business performance.
- Establish and oversee subsidiary project management activities from a financial perspective, including project costing, budget tracking, margin analysis and reporting on project performance.
- Assist in the preparation of board reports, management presentations and ad hoc financial analysis.
- Support the audit of the group, ensuring audit readiness, timely delivery of schedules and information, effective liaison with auditors, and a strong control environment across the business.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance reporting accuracy and efficiency.
Qualifications and Experience
- Fully or part-qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or qualified by experience.
- Experience in a leading a small finance team, management accounting, finance analyst or similar role.
- Strong understanding of month-end processes, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
- Experience of budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis.
- Experience of supporting projects or project management from a financial perspective, including project costing and performance reporting.
- Good knowledge of accounting systems and advanced Excel skills.
- Experience of working with non-financial stakeholders in a commercial environment.
Skills and Competencies
- Strong analytical and problem-solving ability.
- Excellent attention to detail and accuracy.
- Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial colleagues.
- Strong organisational skills and ability to meet deadlines.
- Commercial awareness and a proactive approach to improving performance.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- High level of integrity and professionalism.
Reporting Line and Key Relationships
Reports to: Finance Director
Direct line management responsibility for: 1 staff member
Works closely with: Finance team, department managers, senior leadership team, auditors and external advisers as required.
This job description is intended to outline the main duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time to reflect business needs.
