Job Description
Nicholls Countryside Construction Limited is a fast growing, privately owned business based in West Sussex, founded in 2002.
It has three business units, Nicholls Boreholes (www.nichollsboreholes.co.uk) which designs, installs and maintain pioneering renewable and sustainable solutions. These include water boreholes, vertical, river sourced and open loop Ground Source Heat Pump Systems for domestic and commercial clients.
The second, Nicholls Licensing & Consulting (www.nichollslc.co.uk) which provides specialist licensing and regulatory consultancy, helping clients meet their objectives and obligations.
The third business unit is Nicholls Construction (www.nichollsltd.com) a multi-award winning specialist construction, country house renovation and development business, creating beautiful homes for their clients. The Construction team provide design support, QS, project management and use their highly experienced core teams to achieve outstanding, award winning results for their clients.
The culture and values of the company are unique and the owners are passionate about quality, innovation, client relationships and creating an enjoyable and rewarding place to work.
The business was established, owned and is run by its founders Ben and Richard Nicholls. Having grown significantly over the last five years it now employs over eighty staff and uses specialist handpicked contractors as required.
As the business expands the Finance Director will not only run and manage all the day to day finance and accounting aspects of the business, but the successful and motivated candidate will also work closely with Ben and Richard to develop their strategy and provide detailed business analysis and management information that will improve analysis and decision making.
This will be a “hands-on” role, so a successful candidate will need to be prepared to balance both the strategic and commercial elements along with the day-to-day finance responsibilities. You will enjoy a broad role within the company which may also include responsibility for technology and premises.
A successful candidate will be a qualified accountant, who has good commercial experience working in construction, renewables or manufacturing. A track record of developing and deploying KPI’s and a collaborative approach is essential.
Salary, performance pay and benefits TBD - subject to experience, days and will be dependent on company performance and your personal targets.
This role is a fantastic opportunity for a motivated and proactive individual with good organisational and communication skills who can multi task in a team based environment.
Responsibilities include:
* Maintaining financial integrity and good governance.
* Coordinating and successfully completing our annual audit.
* Work with the companies recently appointed Accountant to prepare of year-end Statutory Accounts and ensure a swift year-end close.
* To work closely with the Founders and Divisional Directors.
* Supervision of the company accounts and robust controls and reconciliations of all balance sheet accounts.
* Assist with the development of the Companies Business plan and produce the relevant KPI’s and MI monitoring tools to track progress.
* Lead and implement the adoption of the upgraded SAGE accounting system to SAGE 200.
* Responsible for VAT calculation and filing.
* Management of cash, including preparation of cash flow analysis/projections and capital requirements.
* Oversee stock management and procurement.
* Oversee the businesses ITC infrastructure and manage prioritization vs business needs.
* Supervision and review of weekly and monthly payment run and Payroll.
* Managing and developing the existing four finance personnel.
* R&D tax relief calculation and filing.
* Review of commercial contracts – as required.
* Ability to research, understand and implement the relevant grants and RHI options available.
* Identify opportunities to achieve profitability targets.
* Identify cost management initiatives throughout the business focusing initially on procurement.
* Help develop and maintain a pricing matrix for new sales opportunities.
* Commentary on performance vs budget and prior year.
* Preparation of the monthly management accounts.
* Create high-level budgets for each division and the relevant MI.
* Create systematic profitability analysis by division and project.
* Drive efficiencies in the reporting process.
* Proactive improvement in general ledger maintenance and postings to facilitate the reporting improvements.
* Support both the strategic & operational growth of the business, bringing in fresh ideas, innovation and best practice from previous experience.
* Essential Skills & Requirements:
* Qualified Accountant – CIMA, ACA or ACCA.
* Good communication skills able to build relationship with customers, suppliers and colleagues.
* Ability to prioritise and manage workload.
* SME company experience.
* Significant attention to detail with ability to pick up ad-hoc work.
* Stock management and procurement – day to day and as part of an audit.
* Expert in Excel and IT proficient.
* SAGE user (Ideally Sage 200).
* Able to work independently, proactive and self-motivated.
* Experience in design or manufacturing sector an advantage, but not essential.
* Resilient, flexible and interested in getting involved in all areas of the business.
* Looking to join a dynamic team where they can make a difference.
* What’s important to us:
* Live Our values – Excellence, Teamwork, Professionalism, Pride, Commitment and Fun
* Communication and collaboration
* Organisation of resources
* Be proactive and always plan ahead