Head of Finance in Exeter

Life at Air brings something new every day. We are a team of ambitious individuals with a genuine desire to inspire and drive one another. Enjoying our work is especially important at Air - a fast-paced, caring and collaborative environment helps us to mould the best possible working culture for each and every one of us. With hybrid working on offer, additional holiday allowance, monthly social events, and other great benefits, Air is a fantastic place to work.

The Head of Finance is a key senior role within the organisation, responsible for overseeing the financial and accounting function, ensuring the integrity of financial information, and maintaining the company’s financial health and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. You will be responsible for the timely and accurate delivery of core financial processes, while also contributing to financial planning, performance analysis, and supporting business decision-making with clear financial data and modelling. This includes producing meaningful financial insight, supporting operational teams to improve processes and efficiencies, and ensuring robust financial controls are in place across the business.

You will play an active role in both day-to-day financial operations and longer-term financial strategy, helping to drive performance and support sustainable business growth. You will have a hunger to learn how our business operates so that you can make informed decisions and support other leaders to do the same. As a standalone finance function within a small, growing business, this role requires a hands-on, adaptable and highly organised individual who is comfortable working across a wide range of tasks and priorities, from the simple but vital, to the complex but creative.

Responsibilities

• Carry out bookkeeping, daily financial administration, and bank reconciliations in an accurate and timely manner.
• Raise client invoices, partner commissions, and maintain client contracts in line with commercial agreements.
• Manage supplier payments, payroll support, expenses, commissions, bonuses, and other personnel-related financial transactions in line with company policy.
• Build financial resilience through managing the business’ cash and bank accounts.
• Prepare monthly journals including accruals, prepayments, deferred income, depreciation, and bad debt adjustments.
• Lead all month-end and quarter-end processes, including management accounts, balance sheet reviews, board reporting, KPI reporting, and financial performance analysis.
• Maintain rolling cashflow forecasts, annual budgets, and periodic financial forecasts, providing regular review with senior leadership.
• Co-ordinate debt management, debtor collections, and working capital processes.
• Ensure VAT returns, statutory tax payments and financial compliance obligations are met.
• Liaise with external accountants, auditors, HMRC, and other regulatory bodies as required.
• Develop, maintain, and improve accounting systems, financial controls, policies, and internal processes.
• Support strategic business planning, commercial decision-making, procurement reviews, business case evaluations, and contract negotiations.
• Collaborate with senior leadership to improve organisational performance, operational efficiency, and KPI alignment.
• Support finance-related operational activities including resource forecasting, new business commercials, and stakeholder financial guidance.
• Oversee financial aspects of governance, risk management, and relevant business certifications.
• Maintain continued professional development and technical accounting compliance.
• Undertake any other reasonable finance related duties required by the business.
• Work closely with the CEO and Shareholders to keep them informed on financial performance and forecasts.

Skills & Experience Required

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified or QBE.
• Experience working with Xero financial software.
• Experience in building and managing complex budgets and forecasts.
• A focus on continuous improvement.
• An analytical approach to work.
• High numeracy and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Excellent attention to detail.
• Discreet & trustworthy.
• Ability to prioritise appropriately and work to tight deadlines.
• Ability to work as part of a team and build strong working relationships.
• Confident in using all Microsoft Office packages.

Benefits

• Competitive salary.
• Continuous development support.
• 23 days holiday (plus bank holidays) + increase with length of service.
• Birthday off – celebrating matters!
• Friendly social office environment.
• Monthly company lunch.
• Wellness program.