Finance Manager in Hitchin

Our client is a family-owned private partnership of a country estate, involved in mixed farming, shoot and property including retail, a café and a public house, based in a rural location near Hitchin. You will join a small, friendly team at an exciting time in this forward thinking and progressive business.

Responsibilities will include managing the day-to-day finances of the organisation, leading a team of two experienced staff members and ensuring insightful, accurate and timely financial information is available to support the business.

The Role: As the leader of the Finance Team, you will be responsible for financial planning, management and financial reporting and financial compliance. To underpin these activities, you will ensure transactions are accurately recorded, by having adequate and appropriate financial procedures in place. Further, to provide assurance over the integrity of the financial information, you will maintain a robust system of financial analysis and control. You must be a qualified accountant with relevant knowledge and experience and be proficient and confident in using IT systems extensively.

You will report directly to the CFO and have significant interaction with the business owner and staff members outside of the Finance Team. You should be flexible and willing to be involved in a broad range of activities and be able to prioritise appropriately. You will need to work in a proactive manner, focusing on continuous improvement, by identifying and proposing changes that will benefit the business, particularly utilising technological advances. Once an enhancement is agreed, you will need to demonstrate strong project management skills to lead the implementation of the work required to maximise the positive impact on the business.

Key Responsibilities:

• Team Leadership: Management and supervision of two experienced staff members ensuring, as a team, an excellent service to all stakeholders. Focus on efficient working methods to meet deadlines, whilst achieving high standards of accuracy.
• Financial planning: Developing budgets and reviewing individual budgets with relevant business managers. Updating the forecasting model monthly and summarising any key issues.
• Management Reporting: Ensure all month end, quarter end and annual reports are accurately prepared in accordance with agreed deadlines, which include insightful commentary highlighting any key variances and significant issues. Specific attention should be paid to monitoring cash balances on a continuous basis.
• Financial Reporting: Production of financial reports for partnership and for companies in line with GAAP.
• Financial Compliance: Ensure full compliance with laws and regulations, in particular accountability for maintaining financial records in line with GAAP, payroll together with payment of associated taxes and pension obligations, HMRC tax and VAT returns and associated payments. Using knowledge and experience to improve current procedures.
• Receipts and Payments: Timely production of required invoices, particularly in respect of rental and utility recharges. Ensure receivables are collected promptly and follow a clear escalation process for chasing any aged debts. Settling purchase invoices on a timely basis.
• Projects/Ad Hoc work: Identifying and leading projects to enhance current processes, particularly involving technological advances. Providing financial support to meet management requests and prepare ad hoc reports. Guidance and support is obtained from professional advisers where required to supplement the skills, knowledge and experience of the staff team. Liaison with such external advisors and financial institutions will be required.

About You:

• Qualified Accountant with good knowledge of GAAP and experience in financial role(s).
• Experience of leading a team.
• Capable and practical with a high level of attention to detail, producing high quality work.
• Strong understanding of governance, compliance and risk management.
• Superior analytical and critical thinking, displaying good judgement.
• Highly developed organisational and project management skills.
• Highly proficient in using IT systems (Currently use Landmark Systems - prior experience not required).
• Excellent communication, relationship-building and interpersonal skills.
• Highly articulate with strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Works effectively within a team environment, flexible and responsive to changing priorities.
• Comfortable working in a livestock farming and commercial shoot environment.

Whats on Offer:

• Minimum of 25 hours to be spread over a 5-day working week.
• Working hour pattern to be agreed but will need to be office based (near Hitchin).
• C.£60K FTE (pro-rata based on a 35-hour working week).
• 25 days holiday entitlement (pro-rata).

The role requires a minimum of 25 hours (up to full time) to be spread over a 5-day working week and is office based. Start and finish times are to be agreed with the business owner. The salary equates to a full-time equivalent of c.£60k to be adjusted on a pro-rata basis for contracted hours (based on a 35-hour working week). Holiday entitlement will be 25 days to be adjusted pro-rata on contracted hours.

If you're looking for a flexible opportunity where you can take on real responsibility and grow with an ambitious business, please apply today.