At a Glance
- Tasks: Drive financial performance and support strategic decision-making in a fast-growing pet cremation business.
- Company: Join VetSpeed, a £25m innovative company in the pet services sector.
- Benefits: Enjoy 26 days annual leave, a cycle to work scheme, and a dog-friendly office.
- Other info: Inclusive employer focused on employee wellbeing and career development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on business growth while working in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong analytical skills and finance business partnering experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Vetspeed is a £25m fast-growing business providing B2B and B2C services in the UK within the pet cremation sector as well as hazardous waste management. With a strong growth agenda ahead, and many exciting opportunities in the sector, we’re looking for a commercially minded Head of Finance to join the team. As Head of Finance, you will play a pivotal role in driving performance, supporting strategic decision-making, and ensuring financial integrity across the business. Reporting directly to the CFO, this role combines hands‑on financial management with commercial insight, data analytics, and business performance analysis. You’ll work closely with operational and commercial teams to translate data into actionable insights, support monthly close processes, and help shape the company’s growth strategy through robust financial planning and analysis.
Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities
- Partner with business leaders across commercial, operations, and marketing to drive financial performance and accountability.
- Lead financial analysis and reporting, providing insight into key drivers of revenue, margin, and profitability.
- Develop and maintain dashboards and analytics to monitor business performance, trends, and KPIs.
- Manage the month‑end close process with our offshore financial service team (AP, AR, R2R), ensuring timely and accurate reporting and continuous improvements.
- Prepare and present monthly performance reviews and variance analysis to senior management.
- Own the budgeting, forecasting, and long‑term planning activities.
- Manage the integration accounts of a newly acquired business unit.
- Identify and implement process improvements to enhance financial visibility and efficiency.
- Drive and support strategic projects including investments from appraisal to ROI analytics, corporate tenders, pricing analysis, product profitability, and support ambitious growth plans.
- Responsible for the health of the business units’ balance sheet in close collaboration with the regional financial controller, providing explanations, investigations and clear‑down activities.
- Lead the outsourcing of payroll.
- Line‑manage a team of 2–3.
- As the financial accounting is offshore it is vital to manage and engage with the offshore team closely to ensure all financial processes are adhered to and results and BS are correct and well controlled.
About You
You are a proactive, analytical finance professional who enjoys getting under the skin of a business and helping to drive performance. You’ll be comfortable managing detail while also stepping back to provide strategic insight. You roll up your sleeves and get things started and finished, working well stand‑alone as well as across different teams. As part of driving performance, you are responsible for identifying opportunities and risks as well as recommending action plans and serving as a catalyst to challenge the business and drive forward critical initiatives to deliver the strategy.
Experience / Qualifications
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
- Proven experience in a Finance Business Partner or Commercial Finance role as well as strong management accounting skills.
- Strong analytical and data interpretation skills, with the ability to tell the story behind the numbers and develop new analytics models and tools that make an impact.
- Experience across analytics, FP&A, management accounting and finance business partnering preferred.
- Excellent Excel and data visualisation skills.
- Strong communication skills with the ability to influence and challenge stakeholders.
- Organised, detail‑oriented, and comfortable managing multiple priorities.
- Experience working in Oracle would be a plus.
We are an inclusive employer. As a BAME and LGBTQ+ inclusive employer, we are keen to hear from candidates from all minority and diverse groups. As a Disability Confident Employer, we are keen to hear from candidates with disabilities and long‑term health conditions and would be happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments needed during the recruitment process.
Benefits
- Work‑life balance
- 26 days annual leave
- Cycle to Work scheme
- Initiatives focused on employee wellbeing
- Pension
- Discretionary Bonus
- Discounted staff pet care
- Dog‑friendly office
- Free parking available at Head Office
Head of Finance - VetSpeed in Royston employer: Inspiring Vet Care
Vetspeed is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment where innovation and collaboration thrive. With a strong focus on employee wellbeing, the company provides generous benefits such as 26 days of annual leave, a cycle to work scheme, and a dog-friendly office, fostering a positive work-life balance. As a rapidly growing business in the pet cremation sector, Vetspeed presents ample opportunities for professional growth and development, making it an ideal place for finance professionals looking to make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance - VetSpeed in Royston
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Inspiring Vet Care. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Finance - VetSpeed in Royston
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Inspiring Vet Care.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Inspiring Vet Care's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Inspiring Vet Care
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Inspiring Vet Care.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Inspiring Vet Care will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Inspiring Vet Care employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
