Head of Finance

Acorn Engineering is seeking a Head of Finance role that will work with the Acorn and BMS CEOs and Mecsia GFC to support the development of the businesses, wider Mecsia Finance Function and a leading financial control environment in a fast‑growing PE‑backed business. The role is a great canvas for the Head of Accounts to make an impact; the company is growing profitably, the Finance Team uses Sage 200 and a stronger Group Finance Function has been established by new Private Equity backers Synova to support organic and acquisitive growth.

Location: Slough, Berkshire

Salary: up to 65K

Hours: Mon‑Friday, 37.5 hours.

Company Benefits:

• Company Events
• Wellbeing Benefits – 24 hours turnaround GP appointment for the whole family
• 25 days holiday (not including bank holidays)

Responsibilities:

• Main Tasks:
• Transactional Finance: Oversee and support the accounting Team, ensuring their processes fit into the overall control framework and enable a smooth management accounts cycle. Identify efficiencies through automation, use of technology and centralisation of processes to achieve improved reporting timelines and more insightful management reports.
• Management Accounts: Lead the company’s monthly reporting process providing management accounts which are always audit‑ready and aligned with the financial standards followed by the Group. Own the month end process from the start through to close of accounts and handover to the Group Head of FP or part‑qualified and on track to qualify.

Requirements:

• 3 or more years’ financial management experience.
• Excellent knowledge of UK GAAP.
• Excellent understanding of processes and controls to enable robust financial reporting.
• Proven ability to deliver monthly management reporting and analysis.
• Excellent analytical skills, able to understand the business and its key drivers, explain complex requirements and processes.
• Results driven with the ability to deliver to tight deadlines in a fast‑paced business.

Desirable:

• Experience in Facilities Management, business services or similar sector.
• Worked in a finance function, ensuring adherence to group policies and processes.
• Experience of the implementation of new accounting systems.
• Experience of working in an acquisitive PE backed business.
• Experience of working in a leveraged environment.
• Experience of working in a multi‑site business.
• Understanding and experience of long term contracts and accounting for WIP.

Skills:

• Organised, get things done attitude with a top‑level focus on accuracy and attention to detail.
• Confident, proactive and a good team worker.
• A natural ability and enthusiasm to train teams around the country.
• An ability to communicate at all levels and develop good working relationships, being a trusted internal consultant on technical matters.
• Self‑starter who can demonstrate initiative, with the ability to prioritise workloads of self and those in subsidiary companies.
• Be comfortable with ambiguity; be adaptable and flexible in a fast‑growing business.
• Strong IT skills including Excel; ability to understand new systems quickly.

Personal Attributes:

• Personal integrity and strong values – to support the CEO and GFC in developing the culture.
• Excellence – maintain the high standards that are delivered across the business and share what you love about your job.
• Positive, enthusiastic and honest in all aspects of the job.
• Self‑motivated with the ability to motivate others to achieve great results both within and outside of their teams.