Head of Finance - Wealth Management in London

London Full-Time On-site

Apply Now

** 5 days per week in the office (West End)**

** Candidates must be available in 1 month or less**

We’re recruiting on behalf of an international investment management group for an experienced, commercially minded and hands-on Head of Finance. You’ll lead financial management, accounting, financial controls and regulatory financial reporting for the Group’s UK entities.

You’ll also serve as Money Laundering Reporting Officer (MLRO), performing the FCA Senior Management Function SMF17, subject to FCA approval. The role combines senior technical finance leadership with direct accountability for financial crime oversight. You’ll work closely with the Group CFO, Group CEO, relevant UK Boards, the Group Compliance Officer and external advisers.

Key responsibilities

Financial accounting and management reporting

Lead the UK finance function, overseeing bookkeeping, transaction recording, month-end and year-end close, reconciliations and financial controls
Prepare, review and deliver monthly management accounts, statutory financial statements and supporting schedules on time
Maintain complete, secure and auditable financial records
Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, statutory requirements and Group financial policies
Provide clear analysis of financial performance, with actionable recommendations to the Group CFO and senior management

Budgeting, forecasting and business support

Coordinate annual budgets, rolling forecasts, cash flow forecasts and scenario analysis for the UK entities
Monitor actuals against budget, explain material variances and propose corrective actions
Support strategic planning, cost optimisation, resource allocation and business decisions through financial analysis

FCA regulatory and prudential reporting

Own the preparation, review and timely submission of all FCA financial and prudential returns using RegData and other prescribed channels
Oversee regulatory own funds, liquidity requirements, prudential monitoring and supporting calculations
Coordinate the financial inputs and review of the ICARA with Group Compliance and external advisers
Maintain robust reporting controls, evidence of review and a calendar of filing obligations, and monitor regulatory developments
Work with external compliance providers on FCA applications, notifications and reporting

MLRO / SMF17

Oversee the adequacy and effectiveness of the firm’s AML and counter-terrorist financing arrangements, including policies, risk assessments, controls and escalation procedures
Act as nominated officer for internal suspicious activity disclosures, assessing them and deciding whether to submit SARs to the National Crime Agency
Oversee AML monitoring, record-keeping and the timely escalation of material financial crime issues
Prepare the annual MLRO report for the relevant UK governing body
Oversee the AML/financial crime training framework and evidence of completion
Liaise with regulators, competent authorities and advisers on MLRO matters
Exercise independent judgement, with direct access to the UK Boards to escalte MLRO concerns

Tax, payroll and audit

Oversee quarterly VAT reporting, corporation tax computations and filings, and relationships with tax advisers
Oversee accurate and timely UK payroll, pension contributions and related payments, coordinating with HR
Lead the annual statutory audit, coordinating requests and ensuring findings are resolved promptly

Treasury, payments and operational control

Oversee UK bank accounts, cash positions, reconciliations, liquidity forecasts and banking relationships
Ensure payments are properly supported, approved and released under documented authorities and appropriate segregation of duties
Maintain oversight of supplier invoices, financial commitments, insurance costs and material finance-related contracts
Identify process weaknesses and implement proportionate improvements to controls, systems and reporting

Leadership and stakeholders

Lead and develop the UK finance function and coordinate with Group Finance and other jurisdictions
Present financial information, regulatory reporting status and material risks to the Group CFO, senior management and UK Boards
Maintain strong relationships with external accountants, auditors, lawyers, and tax and compliance advisers

About you

ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent recognised accountancy qualification
Significant senior finance experience within an FCA-regulated asset management, investment management or closely related regulated financial services firm
Demonstrable hands-on experience preparing and reviewing FCA regulatory and prudential returns, with sound knowledge of FCA requirements
Substantial practical AML/financial crime experience, including suspicious activity escalation, governance and regulatory engagement; prior MLRO/SMF17 experience strongly preferred
Ability to satisfy the FCA fit and proper assessment and obtain SMF17 approval
Strong experience of UK statutory reporting, VAT, corporation tax, payroll oversight, treasury and audit
Proven budgeting, forecasting, financial control and stakeholder management capabilities
Excellent English communication, professional integrity, discretion and attention to detail
Previous FCA-approved SMF17 experience in an investment management business
Experience with international investment groups, family offices or multi-entity structures
Experience of AIFM and/or investment firm prudential reporting, relevant to the Group’s UK permissions
Experience improving financial systems, automation and reporting processes

Personal attributes

Commercially aware, analytical and highly organised, and confident working independently in a hands-on environment
Able to balance operational accuracy with senior-level judgement and effective prioritisation
Comfortable challenging decisions constructively and raising financial crime concerns when required

#J-18808-Ljbffr