Head of Finance / Finance Director (No.1 Finance Role - SME)
Near Royston, Hertfordshire
Ideally 5 days office-based (1-day WFH considered)
Circa £85,000 - £100,000 (Depending on experience)
The Opportunity:
We are seeking a Full Qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) hands-on, operationally focused Head of Finance / Finance Director to take full ownership of the day-to-day financial management of a growing and stable UK SME.
This is a true No.1 finance role, reporting directly to the Managing Director and leading a small finance team of two (this role plus an Assistant Accountant). The emphasis of the position is on financial control, compliance, reporting and accuracy, with strategic and commercial input forming a secondary, but important part of the role.
This opportunity will suit someone who is comfortable being close to the detail, does not require hand-holding, and enjoys owning everything from posting journals and managing payroll through to producing robust management information for decision-making.
The Role:
You will have end-to-end responsibility for the finance function, ensuring that the fundamentals are delivered consistently, accurately and on time.
Payroll is a non-negotiable requirement. Alongside the Managing Director, you will be one of only two people responsible for payroll, so hands-on payroll experience is essential.
This is a deliberately hands-on role, where day-to-day financial management, controls and compliance come first.
Key responsibilities include:
Full ownership of the UK finance function, operating within a small team of two
Day-to-day financial management, including journals, reconciliations and month-end close
Hands-on responsibility for payroll (essential requirement)
Ensuring strong financial controls, compliance and statutory reporting
Producing accurate and timely monthly management accounts
Managing cash flow, working capital and credit control
Ownership of VAT (UK & Ireland), pensions, insurance and statutory submissions
Managing the annual audit and relationships with auditors, banks and advisors
Producing regular sales, stock and operational reporting, including weekly reporting where required
Budgeting and forecasting to support planning and control
Providing clear, reliable financial information to support the Managing Director's decision-making
Driving incremental improvements in processes, reporting and controls
Strategic, commercial and analytical support, including scenario analysis and business planning will naturally follow from having robust, right-first-time financial data.
Systems:
Experience working with Financial ERP systems, developing reporting capabilities and automation
Sage experience would be advantageous, but not essential
Interest in continually improving systems, reporting and processes over time
Team & Culture:
Small, supportive and collaborative environment
Office-based role with a strong preference for being present and engaged
Culture of trust, autonomy and accountability
Clear respect for work-life balance, no expectation of working outside normal hours
MD is hands-off and non-micromanaging, relying on accurate data to run the business
This role will form a key member of the Senior Leadership team alongside the Managing Director, Sales Director and Marketing Director.
About You:
You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) with experience operating as the senior or No.1 finance professional within an SME or similarly hands-on environment.
You are likely to bring:
Proven experience owning the day-to-day finance function end to end
Strong technical accounting and statutory reporting capability
Hands-on delivery of management accounts, budgeting and forecasting
Payroll experience (essential)
Solid cash flow, working capital and credit control experience
A practical, detail-oriented and dependable working style
Confidence operating autonomously and partnering with a Managing Director
A collaborative approach suited to a small team environment
Experience within consumer goods, retail, wholesale or B2C environments (advantageous but not essential)
An interest in systems and continuous improvement
Ideally available on a notice period of no more than three months, with one month strongly preferred
Why Join?:
Genuine No.1 finance role with full ownership and accountability
Hands-on position with real responsibility and visibility
Stable, profitable business with strong financial fundamentals
Trusted working relationship with the Managing Director
Small, supportive team and down-to-earth culture
Long-term opportunity within a growing business
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