At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function, ensuring smooth operations and insightful reporting.
- Company: Dynamic and ambitious business seeking a strategic finance leader.
- Benefits: 25 days holiday, pension contributions, life insurance, and discretionary bonuses.
- Why this job: Shape the company's financial direction and drive sustainable growth.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 5+ years in a fast-paced environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to influence strategy and enhance finance processes.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly capable Head of Finance to take ownership of the finance function within a dynamic and ambitious business. This is a pivotal role that blends strategic input with hands-on delivery, ensuring smooth financial operations, compliance, and insightful reporting. You will act as a trusted partner to the leadership team, enabling sustainable growth and helping to shape the company's long-term financial direction.
The ideal candidate will thrive in a fast-paced, professional services or project-based environment, where services, people, and time drive revenue. You’ll be confident running a lean finance function with independence and commercial focus, while also influencing business strategy and decision-making.
Company Benefits
- 25 days holiday (including 3 days reserved for Christmas)
- Pension (4% employee, 5% employer contributions)
- Life insurance (4x salary) + Employee Assistance Programme
- Discretionary annual bonus (up to 10%)
- Free parking at office site
Key Responsibilities
- Finance Leadership: Build and lead the finance function, embedding systems and processes that support scale and efficiency.
- Reporting & Insights: Produce accurate, timely management reports, dashboards, KPIs and financial insights for the leadership team and Board.
- Day-to-Day Operations: Manage all accounting activities including general ledger, reconciliations, accruals, journal entries and month-end close.
- Project & Commercial Support: Track project profitability, utilisation, and margins; partner with teams on pricing, bids and proposals.
- Revenue Recognition: Ensure revenue is accounted for correctly across different contract structures (time and materials, fixed fee, milestones).
- Cash Flow & Treasury: Oversee forecasting, invoicing, collections, banking and working capital management.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead financial planning cycles, scenario modelling and reforecasts to support strategic growth.
- Systems & Automation: Enhance integration across finance, CRM and project tools to improve data accuracy and real-time insight.
- Compliance & Year-End: Oversee statutory accounts, audits, tax filings, VAT returns, and liaise with external auditors/advisors.
- Controls & Risk: Implement strong internal controls, governance and risk management practices.
- Funding & Grants: Manage claims and reporting for any funded projects, ensuring compliance and accurate allocation of costs.
- Continuous Improvement: Drive efficiency, scalability and best practice across finance processes and policies.
Skills & Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with 5+ years' post-qualified experience.
- Experience in a professional services, consulting or project-driven environment is essential.
- Proven track record of running or leading a standalone finance function in a fast-growing business.
- Strong knowledge of project accounting, revenue recognition and utilisation metrics.
- Skilled in Xero and advanced Excel, with experience in financial automation and system integrations.
- Confident operating at both strategic and operational levels.
- Excellent understanding of UK financial and tax regulations.
- Commercially astute with the ability to influence decisions through actionable financial insight.
Personal Attributes
- Proactive, hands-on operator who thrives on variety.
- Strong commercial awareness and ability to see the bigger picture.
- Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
- Calm, resilient and solutions-focused under pressure.
- Confident communicator, able to explain financials clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
- High integrity, dependable and collaborative.
- Willing to challenge assumptions constructively and contribute strategically.
Head of Finance employer: 2i Recruit Ltd
Contact Detail:
2i Recruit Ltd Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can help land that dream job.
✨Ace the Interview
Prepare for your interviews by researching the company and its financial strategies. Think about how your experience aligns with their needs and be ready to share specific examples. We want you to walk in with confidence and leave a lasting impression!
✨Showcase Your Skills
Don’t just talk about your qualifications; show them! Bring along a portfolio of your work or prepare a presentation that highlights your achievements in finance. We believe that demonstrating your skills can set you apart from the competition.
✨Apply Through Our Website
When you find a role that excites you, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate candidates who are ready to make an impact in the finance world.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your finance leadership experience and any relevant project-based work to show us you’re the perfect fit for this role.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you’re passionate about the Head of Finance position and how your background aligns with our company’s goals. Keep it engaging and personal!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; share specific achievements that demonstrate your impact in previous roles. We love to see numbers and results, so quantify your successes wherever possible!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process!
How to prepare for a job interview at 2i Recruit Ltd
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Head of Finance, you’ll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive business decisions in the past. This shows you’re not just about the numbers but also about strategic insight.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Style
Prepare to talk about your experience in leading finance teams. Think of specific examples where you’ve built or improved finance functions. Highlight your approach to fostering collaboration and efficiency, as this role requires strong leadership in a fast-paced environment.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that ask how you would handle specific financial scenarios, like revenue recognition or cash flow management. Practise articulating your thought process and decision-making strategies, as this will showcase your problem-solving skills and commercial awareness.
✨Understand the Company’s Financial Landscape
Research the company’s financial health and recent developments. Be prepared to discuss how your expertise can help shape their financial direction. This shows you’re proactive and genuinely interested in contributing to their growth.