At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and support key business decisions for the South Home Counties region.
- Company: Cala Group, a leading UK housebuilder focused on sustainable communities.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive culture, and opportunities for personal growth.
- Other info: Join a diverse team committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while driving financial excellence.
- Qualifications: CA/ACA or CIMA/ACCA qualified with strong commercial acumen.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Reporting to the Regional Managing Director (South Home Counties), this is a multi-faceted role incorporating a blend of accounting, commercial decision support and key stakeholder management. The ability to build relationships with and influence stakeholders is a key requirement as this role involves significant interaction with internal business areas including Sales, Commercial, Land, Construction and Customer Services. The Finance Director will be tasked with identifying opportunities to implement improvements which reduce costs, increase efficiency, and maximise net contribution while driving bottom line profit.
Main Accountabilities
- Prepare four year forecasts for the region (South Home Counties) three times a year, working with the local board of directors to produce robust yet challenging targets for the region.
- Prepare, on a monthly basis, projections of current year profit for the region.
- Prepare, on a monthly basis, projections of the cash required by the region for the next six months.
- Build strong relationships with the region's management team and staff members to ensure a constant flow of information.
- Responsible for the monthly regional management accounts including journal postings, accruals, cost of sales, cash flow, variance analysis, and associated commentary.
- Implementation of ‘best in practice’ financial processes and procedures appropriate to the needs of the business, delivering a continuous improvement approach.
- Ensure a culture of commercial awareness is promoted and maintained across the company through effective business support.
- Liaise with non-finance internal stakeholders and provide high quality MI, budgetary support and key financial analysis.
- Review and approve weekly & monthly cash report and supplier payment runs.
- Ensure all balance sheet controls are in place and a monthly control file is maintained.
- Provide a year-end pack to Group for statutory accounts consolidation and liaise with external auditors regarding any accounting queries.
- Ensure compliance with regulations including VAT, SDLT and relevant accounting standards.
- Work with other members of the accounts department to ensure a good service is received by the region.
- Work flexibly between head office and the regional office.
About You
- Exceptional administrative and organisational skills.
- Commercial acumen and an understanding of key business drivers are essential to the role.
- Confident communicator with strong interpersonal skills.
- Attention to Detail.
- Self-motivated with a ‘can do’ attitude.
- Flexible with regards to daily workload and able to work on a variety of ad hoc projects.
- Ability to explain financial metrics/concepts to other functional managers.
- Ability to work with tight deadlines.
- Ability to prioritise workload.
- Ability to work as part of a team and have skills to influence others.
- Degree educated CA/ACA qualified and trained with an accountancy practice ideally, or alternatively trained CIMA or ACCA within an industry environment.
We recognise that a diverse team makes us a stronger and more successful company. We value different ideas and perspectives as it helps improve our decision-making, products and services. And we’re striving to create an inclusive work environment, in which everyone can feel comfortable as themselves, uniquely contribute and do their best work. If we need to adjust anything in our recruitment process to support you, please contact careers@cala.co.uk.
About Us
The Cala Group is a major UK housebuilder and leading provider of desirable new homes across Scotland, the South of England & Midlands. Driven by a mission to create vibrant and sustainable new communities, our homes are characterised by exceptional design and sector-leading build quality, and we have a passion for providing our customers with a great home buying experience. This is an exciting time to be at Cala. Our approach to sustainability and technology is undergoing a dramatic transformation, and we’re aiming to create an industry-leading experience for both our staff and customers. At Cala, you can expect to be part of an environment which allows you to do meaningful work, while offering opportunities for personal growth. Our goal is to be the favoured employer in our industry and beyond. We encourage applications from those who want to be part of a culture where they can thrive, feel a sense of belonging and be comfortable being themselves at work.
Finance Director employer: CALA Homes
Cala Group is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where Finance Directors can thrive through meaningful contributions to our mission of creating vibrant communities. With a strong focus on personal growth, inclusivity, and sustainability, employees benefit from robust support systems, opportunities for professional development, and a culture that values diverse perspectives. Join us in the South Home Counties to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to excellence in the housebuilding industry.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry. Attend events, join online forums, or even reach out to folks on LinkedIn. Building relationships can open doors that you didn’t even know existed.
✨Tip Number 2
Show off your skills in interviews! Prepare to discuss how you've influenced stakeholders and driven efficiencies in past roles. Use specific examples to demonstrate your commercial acumen and ability to manage complex financial processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply anywhere; apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining our team. Tailor your application to highlight how your experience aligns with our mission of creating vibrant communities.
✨Tip Number 4
Follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can go a long way. It shows your enthusiasm for the role and keeps you fresh in the interviewer's mind. Plus, it’s a great chance to reiterate why you’re the perfect fit for the Finance Director position.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that align with the Finance Director role. Highlight your commercial acumen and stakeholder management experience, as these are key to impressing us.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Use your cover letter to tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've driven efficiency and maximised profit in previous positions, and don’t forget to show off your communication skills!
Showcase Your Achievements:When detailing your past roles, focus on quantifiable achievements. Whether it’s improving processes or managing budgets, we want to see how you’ve made a difference in your previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our team at Cala.
How to prepare for a job interview at CALA Homes
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, 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. Prepare examples of how you've forecasted profits or managed cash flow effectively.
✨Build Rapport with Stakeholders
This role requires strong relationship-building skills. Think about how you can showcase your ability to influence and collaborate with various teams. Prepare anecdotes that highlight your experience working with non-financial stakeholders and how you’ve communicated complex financial concepts to them.
✨Showcase Continuous Improvement Mindset
Cala Group values a culture of continuous improvement. Be prepared to discuss specific instances where you've identified opportunities for cost reduction or efficiency gains. Highlight any best practices you've implemented in previous roles that align with this mindset.
✨Demonstrate Flexibility and Adaptability
The job description mentions the need for flexibility in workload and projects. Share examples of how you've successfully managed multiple priorities or adapted to changing circumstances in your previous roles. This will show that you're ready to tackle the dynamic nature of the position.
