Head of Finance/Finance Director
An exciting opportunity to join the team at Mere Plantations as Head of Finance/Finance Director has arisen. Mere are West Africa's largest privately-owned, privately-funded hardwood plantation developer, with an audited £1B+ balance sheet value headquartered in Chester, Cheshire.
Reports to:
Chief Executive Officer
Location:
Chester Business Park, CH4 9QU
Job Role:
Responsible for the financial management and reporting of the company and its various entities.
Key responsibilities
* Full ownership of the financial, management and statutory accounts for the various entities.
* Responsible for the monitoring and enhancing of financial controls and month-end processes.
* Preparation and management of the external audit.
* Preparing the budget and financial forecast.
* Managing cash-flow and cash-flow projections.
* Preparing and managing payroll, VAT, and other required financial submissions.
* Preparation of regular and ad hoc financial and non-financial reporting.
* Liaison and management of the Ghana finance team to align financial controls and financial reporting.
* Financial controls of the plantations in Ghana.
* Preparing and managing Board reporting of financials.
* Work with the CEO and Board on processes and implementation of a grouped structure.
* Reporting/managing international growth, expansion and development.
* Engaging and managing institutional investor relations.
* Building/managing finance teams across multiple new jurisdictions.
* Managing and conducting periodic internal audits.
Skills, know-how and experience
Must Have:
* Must be FCA/ACA/ACCA/ACMA qualified.
* Good technical skills and commercial awareness.
* Experience developing and maintaining financial reporting and controls.
* Track record of managing the full external audit process.
* Ability to improve and enhance current processes.
* Must have strong communication and people skills.
* Confidence to engage and assist CEO and the Board with the business development and expansion.
* Must be a self-starter with excellent communication skills and attention to detail.
* Must be a team player with the ability to manage internal and external relationships.
* Competence with SAGE accounting software.
* Must be keen to be part of senior team within a family owned/ran, fast-paced business.
* Experience/track record of corporate finance.
* Proven ability of financial planning and forecasting.
* A genuine interest in commercial reforestation and environmental issues.
Nice to have:
* Experience or understanding of the accounting and valuation of biological assets under IAS41/FRS102.
* Experience of the carbon market, timber or environmental sectors.
* Desire to work for an environmental and socially responsible group.
* Foreign language proficiency (French, Spanish, Mandarin etc.)
* International business experience, working with multiple jurisdictions and currencies.
Requirements of the role:
* This is a full-time position, fully office-based in Chester, United Kingdom.
* You must have the legal right to live and work in the UK.
What you'll get in return
* Competitive salary dependent on role and experience
* Discretionary bonus structure