Head of Finance

Package: Salary up to £80k (depending on experience)

Location: High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire

Reporting to: Managing Director / Board

Job type: Permanent, Full-Time - at least 3 days on site, with some travel

Our client is an ambitious scaling SME with its head office in High Wycombe. The business is entering an exciting phase of growth and development and is seeking a commercially-minded finance professional to join the senior leadership team and play a key role in supporting the next stage of its journey.

Head of Finance - The Role

This is an excellent opportunity for an ambitious and qualified finance professional to step into a Head of Finance position within a growing organisation. The role combines strategic financial leadership with hands-on operational involvement, offering significant visibility and influence across the business. This opportunity would particularly suit an experienced Financial Controller who is ready to take the next step into their first number-one finance role, whilst continuing to develop their strategic and commercial leadership capabilities.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Acting as a key member of the senior leadership team, contributing to business strategy and growth initiatives;
• Leading budgeting, forecasting and financial planning processes;
• Providing financial insight, analysis and commercial support to drive performance across the organisation;
• Overseeing the production of monthly management accounts, board reporting and financial analysis;
• Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, compliance and risk management processes;
• Managing cashflow, working capital and funding requirements;
• Leading statutory accounts preparation, audit processes and tax compliance;
• Taking ownership of financial systems, databases and reporting infrastructure;
• Driving automation, process improvements and enhanced management information capabilities;
• Providing leadership for IT systems and supporting technology improvement initiatives;
• Working closely with operational teams across multiple sites to improve financial visibility and control;
• Leading, mentoring and developing the finance team;
• Supporting continued business growth through strategic and operational financial leadership.

The Successful Applicant

As Head of Finance, you will be an ambitious and commercially focused finance professional who enjoys operating in a fast-paced SME environment. You will be comfortable partnering with senior stakeholders while maintaining a hands-on approach to managing the finance function. This role would suit an experienced Financial Controller seeking their first Head of Finance position, or someone already operating at Head of Finance level within an SME environment.

Key attributes include:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA);
• Minimum three years' post-qualification experience (PQE);
• Proven experience operating as a Financial Controller or senior finance leader within an SME environment;
• Strong systems expertise with a track record of improving reporting and business processes;
• Ability to balance strategic thinking with a practical, hands-on approach;
• Excellent communication, stakeholder management and relationship-building skills;
• Enthusiastic, personable and collaborative leadership style.

Additional Requirements:

• Full UK driving licence, occasional European travel;
• Proactive, self-motivated and adaptable approach;
• Comfortable working across multiple sites and engaging with non-finance stakeholders.