Job Description
Head of Finance
Location: Hemel Hempstead
Salary: Up to £80,000 + Benefits
Position: Full-time, Permanent
About the Business We are exclusively partnering with a highly successful, growing commercial business to recruit a hands-on Head of Finance. The company operates as a lean, profitable UK commercial hub backed by a major global parent group. Due to a strategic restructuring and a push for greater localized control, the business is completely insourcing its financial operations. This creates an exciting, clean-slate opportunity for a finance leader to shape an entire function from the ground up.
The Role This is a highly autonomous, standalone position that requires a unique blend of technical accounting capability and a "roll-your-sleeves-up" attitude. You will not just be reviewing the numbers; you will be entirely responsible for producing them.
The immediate priority will be leading a smooth transition project to bring all accounting functions completely in-house, designing new workflows, and establishing robust internal controls.
Key Responsibilities: * Project-manage the full insourcing and optimisation of the UK entity's accounting functions.
* Take complete ownership of the preparation and timely production of monthly management accounts and statutory financial statements.
* Manage all localized financial reporting, corporate tax alignment, and VAT compliance.
* Establish, implement, and tighten internal controls, commercial processes, and financial systems.
* Provide clear financial commentary, budgeting, and forecasting directly to executive leadership.
* Act as the primary UK point of contact for external auditors, banks, and the international group finance team.
The Ideal Candidate: Qualification: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified is highly preferred.
* Background: This role is a perfect match for a high-caliber Accountancy Practice 2nd mover looking for their next step in industry, or an experienced SME Finance Manager/Controller used to running a lean, highly hands-on department.
* Technical Capability: A proven track record of personally producing full sets of statutory and management accounts from scratch is non-negotiable.
* Mindset: An adaptable, organized "all-rounder" who is equally comfortable dealing with high-level strategy as they are handling day-to-day, granular accounting tasks.
* Previous experience working within an international group or subsidiary framework is advantageous but not essential.