Head of Finance

About the Company

Established in 2002 by Louise Chance, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Ltd has developed a renowned reputation as a reliable, cost effective and innovative service provider, operating throughout the North of England and Scotland. We have expertise in working with clients with acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, amputations and other complex injuries. We are specialists in Rehabilitation Support Work, Case Management, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Medico-Legal Reports. Often, our clients have a variety of needs requiring a variety of services, and we create individualised plans that address their social, physical, mental, vocational wellbeing, and more. We are a friendly, independent company that feels more like a community. We’re dedicated to what we do, and committed to the families who rely on us for care of their loved ones.

Job Description

Job Title: Head of Finance
Accountable to: Director, [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal] Ltd
Base: 5 Hobson Court, Penrith Cumbria, CA11 9GQ (can incorporate some working from home)
Hours: Full time
Salary: Competitive salary, dependent on experience (plus car allowance)

Reporting directly to the Director this role offers an excellent level of autonomy in many areas that add value to the wider business, whilst remaining very hands on with day-to-day accounting duties. You will own all aspects of financial reporting, forecasting and budgeting and produce timely management accounts. You will use your financial skills and experience to contribute to the smooth running of the company and whilst there is a degree of supervision from the Director, you will be given the freedom to work unsupervised and prioritise and maintain your own workload.

Main Tasks & Overview of Responsibilities

• Member of the Senior Management Team (SMT). Active participation in Senior Management meetings, reviewing company strategy and plans. This includes presenting financial information to members of the SMT
• Presentation of financial information to the wider Company both formally and informally
• Preparation and presentation of timely and accurate management accounts, financial dashboard, KPIs, and financial forecasts to tight deadlines
• Maintain an excellent working relationship with the Company’s external Accountants and Company Secretary to ensure the Company meets statutory reporting and tax filing deadlines, including producing annual reports and information for external Accountants
• Responsibility for the Company IT function, including the provision of the “external IT department”, the relationship with our IT Helpdesk provider and software procurement
• Keep abreast of the grant landscape to ensure that the company is bidding for and winning all appropriate grant funding for relevant projects
• Management and reconciliation of the Business and Client Bank Accounts
• Maintain the cash flow forecast to make best use of the available working capital and keep the organisation in a strong financial position
• Sales ledger management, oversight of / assistance with the sales invoicing process and subsequent credit control
• Purchase ledger management including managing supplier accounts and setting up supplier payments
• Payroll oversight and payment using an external payroll bureau, for both monthly and 4-weekly paid staff
• Administration of the Company pension scheme
• Administration of the Company employment benefits including the Electric Car Salary Sacrifice Scheme and the Health Cashback Scheme
• Ensure all appropriate insurances are in place
• Maintain the fixed asset register through Xero and appraisal of new capital expenditure.
• Maintain digital and paper records to comply with HMRC and GDPR
• Ad-hoc analysis and reporting
• Meetings with Director to discuss management information

Education and Experience

• Proven experience as a SME Finance Manager with 2+ years post qualification experience
• Ideally Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Knowledge and experience of relevant software applications (e.g. MS Word, Excel, Teams, Xero)

Person Specification

Essential Attributes: Formal accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA); ability to organise workload and meet deadlines; confident communication; problem-solving; experience with Xero, Microsoft Word, Excel; good organisation; attention to detail; team working and line management.

Knowledge & Experience: Minimum 2 years post qualification experience; previous experience as SME Finance Manager or similar senior role; flexible working and switching between demands.

Other: Willing to work within Company policies; occasional out-of-hours work; strong stakeholder management and business partnering; driving licence preferred; willingness to undertake training.

How to Apply

To discuss this role, call [contact hidden] or email [Employer hidden — sign up to reveal], quoting reference LC443. To apply, please complete our online application form at www.achanceforlife.co.uk/careers-a-chance-for-life.