At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and client delivery for a dynamic accountancy firm.
- Company: Join a top accountancy firm focused on the hospitality industry.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, flexible working, and extensive holiday entitlement.
- Other info: Enjoy fun company events and a supportive culture prioritising mental health.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment with growth opportunities.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance leadership and hospitality sector.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 110000 £ per year.
Salary: £110,000 per annum plus 20% performance bonus
Location: Hybrid – London or Manchester (minimum 2 days a week in office)
Hours: Full Time
About Us
Williams, Stanley & Co is a leading accountancy firm catering to a diverse range of clients within the hospitality industry, from high street chains to family‑run cafes. Our company began with a mission to provide accurate and actionable financial insights to businesses, drawing from our founders' own experiences in managing multiple rapidly growing ventures. Driven by a commitment to customer‑first accounting, we've assembled a team of experienced and trusted accountants who share our vision for excellence. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and expertise, our team operates seamlessly across different locations, including the UK, Philippines and Dubai.
About You
We are hiring a Finance Director to take full ownership of the accounts division and the client delivery underneath it. The successful candidate will work in the way of a Divisional MD position, running multi‑million pound revenues, an international footprint, and a leadership layer of Financial Controllers, AP, and offshore delivery in the Philippines. The ideal candidate will have already operated as a Finance Director in a multi‑site hospitality/Leisure or professional services environment. You will be commercially aggressive, technically credible, and confident running a P&L with full margin and growth accountability. You will be ready to grow the business.
You Are
- A qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post‑qualification experience.
- An operator who has run a finance function with full P&L responsibility.
- Experienced in financial control, management reporting, and compliance across multiple entities.
- Proficient in Xero, Netsuite and other financial management systems.
- Commercially aggressive – comfortable pushing back on decisions and defending margin.
- A strong communicator, confident sitting in front of client CFOs and senior stakeholders.
- Tech‑savvy enough to set the direction on automation and systems, not just approve the spend.
- Experienced in hospitality, leisure, or another high‑volume service business.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Own client delivery across accounts, AP, and management reporting – monthly close inside agreed windows, on‑time delivery above 95%, and error and rework rates held to the standard set with Quality and Compliance.
- Run the divisional P&L, with monthly accountability for revenue, gross margin, EBITDA contribution, and year‑on‑year growth.
- Set and own the growth strategy for the accounts division – services, capacity, geography, and revenue mix.
- Hold client retention above 90% annually, protect revenue concentration across the book, and own the commercial relationship with the top‑tier client portfolio.
- Lead client budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and cash flow and working capital monitoring across the book.
- Hold statutory compliance across the client base – audit, tax advisors, regulatory bodies – and the WS‑side relationships with them.
- Set, refresh, and enforce the financial policies, controls, and operating standards that delivery runs on.
- Sit alongside clients as the senior accounting and commercial adviser, owning the “how” and “why” behind the numbers.
- Build, lead, and develop the team – from senior delivery leadership through to delivery staff – with accountability for retention, succession, capability, training, and career path.
- Run delivery to a single standard across the UK, Philippines, and Dubai, including capacity planning, team productivity, and the growth targets agreed for the international book.
- Sit on the Senior Leadership Team and own divisional risk and compliance jointly with the Quality and Compliance lead.
- Hold the senior client relationship at CFO and Founder level, with personal accountability for retention and growth of the top‑tier book.
- Lead pricing, scope, write‑offs, and bad debt across the division. Lead new client onboarding in partnership with the Commercial Director.
- Drive adoption of WS technology – Teampay, Troncmaster, OpsDesk, and WS Insights – across the client base, in partnership with the Product function.
Skills And Qualifications
- Experience setting and delivering financial strategy at FD level.
- Qualified Accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA…)
- Strong understanding of UK tax regulations and compliance requirements.
- Proven ability to improve operating margin through process and automation.
- Experience working in the hospitality, leisure, or wider service sector.
- Strong working knowledge of automation, technology, and process design.
What We Offer
- Competitive base salary of £110,000 with 20% performance bonus
- Membership on our Employee Recognition platform Hospitality Rewards – with numerous free perks and access to counselling services and training providers
- Ongoing career progression, training and support in gaining nationally recognised qualifications (including Education Scheme and ACCA Support)
- 30 days holiday entitlement pro rata (including Bank Holidays) with an additional day for each year of service
- Great pension scheme (Penfold)
- Fun company socials and events
- Flexible hybrid working model (2 days minimum in the office)
- Employee Assistance Programme and coaching for personal and professional development
- Enhanced parental leave policy (subject to length of service requirements)
- Birthday leave – an additional day of leave to be taken on or around your Birthday
- Mental Health Half Days – celebrating the power of ‘Me Time’
- Annual Pay Reviews and Biannual Appraisals – career progression is everything!
- Perks and benefits on our HR platform Employment Hero
We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age.
Finance Director in London employer: Williams Stanley and Co
At Williams, Stanley & Co, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a competitive salary of £110,000 plus a 20% performance bonus, alongside a flexible hybrid working model that promotes work-life balance. Our vibrant work culture fosters collaboration and innovation, with ample opportunities for career progression and professional development, including support for gaining nationally recognised qualifications. Join us in our London or Manchester offices and be part of a dynamic team dedicated to delivering excellence in the hospitality sector while enjoying unique benefits like birthday leave and mental health half days.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its culture. Understand their financial strategies and challenges, especially in the hospitality sector. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in being part of their team.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to discuss your experience with P&L management and how you've driven growth in previous roles. Highlight your tech-savviness and how it can benefit their operations. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage directly with us. Let’s get you that Finance Director role!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Director role. Highlight your experience in managing P&L, financial control, and any relevant achievements in the hospitality or leisure sectors. We want to see how your background aligns with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for us. Share specific examples of how you've driven growth and improved margins in previous roles. Let your personality come through!
Showcase Your Tech Savviness:Since we're all about tech at StudySmarter, make sure to mention your proficiency with financial management systems like Xero and Netsuite. If you’ve implemented automation or improved processes, we want to hear about it!
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows you’re keen to join our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Williams Stanley and Co
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in managing P&L and financial reporting. Brush up on key metrics like EBITDA, gross margin, and revenue growth. Be ready to discuss how you've driven these numbers in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team across multiple locations. Prepare examples of how you've built and developed teams in the past. Highlight your experience in mentoring and ensuring high performance, especially in a hybrid working environment.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the hospitality industry and the specific challenges it faces. Be prepared to discuss how you can contribute to client retention and growth strategies, particularly in a competitive market.
✨Be Tech-Savvy
With a focus on automation and technology, make sure you can speak confidently about your experience with financial management systems like Xero and Netsuite. Discuss how you've implemented tech solutions to improve efficiency and accuracy in financial processes.
