1,077 Head Of Finance jobs in the United Kingdom

Head of Finance – Fast-Growing Tech Consultancy

Step into a pivotal role as Head of Finance in a dynamic, with our client who are a fast-growing tech consultancy. This position offers the chance to shape the financial future of a business that thrives on delivering high-value consulting services. As the financial linchpin, you will be instrumental in driving sustainable and scalable growth, providing crucial insights to support strategic decision-making, and ensuring the smooth financial operation of the company.

• Strategic Influence: Partner with the leadership team and Board to shape the company's financial direction, supporting long-term planning, investment decisions, and commercial strategy.
li>Autonomy & Impact: Operate independently within a lean finance function, with the opportunity to make significant contributions to both day-to-day operations and high-level strategy.
• Professional Growth: Join a small but ambitious business where your expertise will be highly valued, and your role will evolve as the company scales.

Key Responsibilities:

• Finance Function Ownership: Develop and manage the end-to-end finance function, ensuring a framework that supports growth.
• Management Reporting: Deliver timely and accurate financial data, KPIs, dashboards, and insights to the CEO, Leadership Team, and Board.
• Accounting Operations: Oversee all accounting activities, including general ledger, month-end close, journal entries, accruals, and reconciliations.
• Project Accounting & Commercial Support: Collaborate with project teams to maintain accurate project P&Ls, track time utilisation, and manage resource planning.
• Proposal Support & Pricing: Assist in the financial modelling of project proposals and bids, ensuring alignment with margin targets and pricing strategy.
• Revenue Recognition: Ensure correct treatment of revenue from consulting services in line with accounting standards.
• Cash Flow & Working Capital Management: Prepare cash flow forecasts and manage client invoicing cycles, banking relationships, and other treasury-related activities.
• Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process, periodic reforecasts, and financial scenario planning.
• System Integration & Automation: Enhance integration between finance, project delivery, and CRM tools, enabling real-time insight.
• Statutory Reporting & Year-End: Liaise with external accountants and auditors for statutory accounts, year-end filing, tax, and R&D credit claims.
• Controls & Risk: Implement robust internal controls, risk management practices, and financial policies.
• Grant Funded Projects: Manage financial planning and claims for grant-funded projects, ensuring compliance with funding requirements.

Skills & Experience Required:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with 5+ years’ experience in finance roles.
< i>Experience in a professional services or consulting environment is essential.
• Proven experience managing a standalone finance function in a fast-growing scale-up.
• Strong understanding of project accounting, revenue recognition, and financial audit.
• Proficient with Xero and advanced Excel skills.
• Experience with financial automation and APIs.
• Strong working knowledge of UK financial and tax regulations, including R&D credits.

Personal Attributes:

• Proactive, hands-on operator who enjoys variety and independence.
• Self-starter with excellent organisational skills and a commitment to quality and accuracy.
• Strong commercial awareness, with the ability to see the bigger picture and contribute strategically.
• Clear communicator with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Calm under pressure, with a high degree of resilience and a solutions-focused mindset.
• High integrity, dependable, and committed to the success of the wider team.

This role is perfect for a commercially astute financial professional ready to take on a central role in a thriving consultancy. If you have the expertise and drive to make a significant impact, this could be the next step in your career.

A commercially astute Head of Finance is needed to join a high-performance, fast-growing scale-up in the technology sector. This is a business with bold ambitions, an innovative edge, and a culture that rewards agility, drive, and fresh thinking.

As Head of Finance, you’ll take full ownership of the finance function — running day-to-day operations with precision, while setting the strategic financial direction that will fuel the next phase of growth. You’ll work hand-in-hand with leadership to ensure every decision is backed by robust data, insightful analysis, and sound commercial judgement.

Job Title:     Head of Finance
Job Type:     Permanent
Location:     Godalming (Hybrid)
Salary:     £70,000 – £5,000 + Benefits
Reference no:    15875

Head of Finance – Benefits

• 25 days holiday
li>Hybrid working model
• Life Assurance
• Discretionary annual bonus – based on business and personal performance

Head of Finance – About The Role

This is an exciting scale-up leadership role where your impact will be both immediate and long-term. You’ll be building the financial foundations for sustainable growth while keeping pace with the demands of a fast-moving technology consultancy.

In the early stages, you’ll need to be hands-on and adaptable, taking ownership of:

• Man ging day-to-day accounting operations — general ledger, month-end close, journals, accruals, and reconciliations.
< i>Partnering with project teams to produce accurate project P&Ls, track margin performance, and optimise resource planning.
• Preparing commercial and financial models for project proposals and bids, ensuring commercial viability.
• Leading cashflow forecasting and working capital management.
• Driving the annual budgeting process and reforecasting, including profitability modelling by headcount.
• Maximising system utilisation & integration — ensuring finance, CRM, and project systems talk to each other to deliver real-time dashboards and insights.
< i>Overseeing statutory reporting and year-end, including R&D claims and year-end commentary.

About You

• Qualified accountant (ICAEW, ACCA, CIMA) with 5+ years PQE.
• Proven experience in a fast-growing scale-up environment.
• Strong knowledge of project accounting, revenue recognition, pricing, and financial audit.
• Working knowledge of UK tax regulations, including R&D claims.
• Commercially minded, with the ability to influence at senior level and thrive in a business where change is the norm.

Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation, without discrimination on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume you have not been successful.

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Head of Finance - Manufacturing

Our client, a fast-growing and innovative manufacturer, is looking for a Head of Finance to join their leadership team and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the business. This is a rare opportunity to make a real impact.

The Role
You'll take ownership of the finance function-driving strategic initiatives, ensuring robust governance, and delivering accurate, insightful reporting. You'll work closely with senior leadership, influence business decisions, and lead a motivated finance team in a dynamic environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead financial control, reporting, and governance , ensuring compliance with IFRS and best practices

• Oversee financial operations including AR, AP, payroll, and monthly reconciliations

• Manage treasury and cashflow , forecasting six months ahead

• Handle external stakeholder management including audits, tax strategy, and regulatory compliance

• Develop, coach, and inspire a high-performing finance team

About You:

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with IFRS experience

• Proven background in manufacturing or a product-driven industry (aviation experience advantageous)

• Strategic thinker with strong leadership and problem-solving skills

• Skilled communicator able to explain complex financials clearly

• Experienced with ERP systems (Epicor preferred) and advanced Excel

Why Join?

• Competitive salary & benefits package

• Exciting, fast-paced, and innovative work environment

• Opportunities for professional growth

• Collaborative culture where your ideas will be heard

If you're a forward-thinking finance leader ready to take on a challenging and rewarding role, we'd love to hear from you. Apply today

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Finance Lead to oversee the UK Finance function, driving performance and ensuring the delivery of a best-in-class service across the group's UK entities. This is a high-profile position where you'll act as the senior face of finance, shaping strategy while also rolling up your sleeves to support day-to-day delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the UK Finance team, ensuring consistent achievement of all deliverables and reporting requirements

• Represent finance at Senior Leadership Team meetings, contributing to strategic initiatives and operational improvements

• Oversee the UK Accounts department, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency

• Build strong relationships with senior stakeholders across UK entities, providing financial insight and guidance

• Review, communicate, and deliver monthly KPIs, implementing action plans to address performance gaps

What We're Looking For

• Qualified accountant (ACCA / ACA / CIMA)

• Proven track record of leading a high-performing finance team

• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to present and collaborate at senior levels in a matrix organisation

• Ability to add value through creativity and innovation, driving improvements and efficiencies

• Comfortable balancing strategic thinking with hands-on operational support

Why Join Us?
This role offers the opportunity to lead a talented finance team, influence key business decisions, and work closely with senior leadership in a respected and growing organisation.

Head of Finance – UK
Location: Mansfield, Nottinghamshire
Salary: £70,000 - £5,000 Car Bonus Benefits
 

A high-growth, international organisation is seeking an experienced Head of Finance to lead its UK finance operations and play a critical role in supporting the wider European business strategy.

As a key member of the UK senior leadership team, you will be responsible for overseeing all financial activities, ensuring compliance, and delivering actionable insights to guide executive-level decisions. This is a strategic and hands-on leadership role within a business undergoing transformation and expansion.

You’ll be leading a capable finance team, managing all core finance functions including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, statutory compliance, payroll, pensions, and external reporting. You will also take ownership of internal control environments, automation initiatives, and long-term investment validations. Working closely with commercial and operational teams, you will act as a trusted business partner, challenging assumptions and driving performance through clear, data-driven insights.

The role also includes accountability for managing insurance policies, supporting M&A activity, and maintaining key external relationships with auditors, HMRC, and banking partners. Experience with ERP/BI systems and data-led reporting will be useful, as will be the ability to modernise and enhance finance processes for scale.

The Ideal Candidate:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)

• Strong technical and commercial finance background

• Proven experience in a senior finance role, ideally within a business £20 00m turnover

• Skilled in financial planning, modelling, and reporting

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach

• Confident in cross-functional collaboration and stakeholder management

• Experienced in improving systems, controls, and data automation

This is a fantastic opportunity for a finance leader looking to step into a pivotal UK-wide role with significant visibility and influence across a European group.

Devon County Council are looking for a Permanent Head of Finance.

65,248 per year.

Fixed Term 18 Months

Full Time 37 hours per week

Location: County Hall (Exeter) / Remote

Lead with Purpose. Deliver with Impact.

Are you a strategic payroll leader ready to shape the future of a large, complex organisation? Devon County Council is seeking an experienced and visionary Head of Payroll to lead our high performing team through a period of transformation and excellence.

This is a unique opportunity to make a significant impact by delivering business-focussed payroll solutions that support over 15,000 employees across the Council, maintained schools and external clients. You'll lead both strategy and operations, ensuring compliance, innovation, and service excellence. You will be part of the People & Culture Senior Leadership Team and as such will play a critical role in contributing to Devon County Council's strategic objectives, including fulfilment of our People Strategy.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced payroll professional with a proven track record of leading a large, high-performing team covering multiple payrolls. We are looking for candidates who:

• Are self-motivated and driven;
• Can work collaboratively across People & Culture to achieve desired outcomes;
• Are an inspiring leader with experience of managing a large diverse team;
• Adapt easily to changing legislative and organisational requirements;
• Have attention to detail with the ability to analyse and effectively harness HR data, whilst always considering the use of technology to ensure efficiency;
• Demonstrate an ability to network successfully with a capacity to benchmark to support business case and decision making;
• Use strong negotiation and influencing skills to achieve successful outcomes;
• Think creatively with an ability to turn ideas into tangible outcomes;
• Are CIPP management qualified, or have an equivalent qualification or suitable experience;
• Preferably have knowledge of local government and/or education payrolls.

What You'll Be Doing

• Being responsible for the strategic leadership, operational direction, management, development and delivery of the payroll service and team members.
• Working collaboratively with and advising senior officers, elected members and other stakeholders across Devon County Council on any initiatives impacting payroll.
• Supporting the Director of People & Culture and wider Senior Leadership Team on Devon County Council's strategic priorities.
• Managing the delivery of payroll services to traded customers, ensuring compliance with and enhancement of Service Level Agreements.
• Maintaining a commercial awareness of budgets, income streams, and potential new business opportunities.
• Identifying and communicating the payroll implications of current and proposed legislation and determine the most appropriate method of implementing changes.
• Working with our Tax Compliance team to ensure that all legal and regulatory deadlines and requirements are met.

Why Join Us

At Devon County Council, we value our people. In return for your expertise, we offer:

• Generous annual leave and other holiday entitlements along with flexible working
• The option to purchase additional annual leave
• Entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Salary sacrifice schemes including additional pension contributions, electric vehicle leasing, purchase of home & electronic items and cycle to work
• Discounts at over 900 national & local high street retailers through our benefits platform

RECfinancial is partnering with a historic Leicestershire based business in the appointment of a Head of Finance to be based at its Leicester office. 

Due to the role's location, the business is commutable distance from all areas of Leicester / Leicestershire, Nottingham, Derby, Northamptonshire and Coventry / Warwickshire.

Leading the business from a finance point of view, the role reports directly to the CEO and will work closely with the CEO, The Board and the Owners.

The role will lead several business areas from a group perspective. Responsibilities will include leading the central finance team, strategic oversight across the group companies, support board level decision making and ensure governance and controls across the group are robust and appropriate.

Day to day tasks will include team management and development, operational and process improvements, balance sheet control, working capital management, long range planning, consolidated year end accounts, capex and supporting the family office.

The role will also include acquisition integration.

The business is highly profitable and does not stand still in its operating market. There is constant change in the business and opportunities to add value. 

The role would best suit an experienced Financial Director / Finance Director, Financial Controller or Head of Finance. You will be a highly technically capable accountant and leader, whilst also having the oversight and understanding to spot commercial opportunities for the business. You will be a great leader and be able to develop and grow your team.

The ideal candidate will be qualified in either the ACCA, ACA or CIMA qualification and have a CV that demonstrates your decision making, career growth and value that you would bring to the role. 

The business is keen to hire a candidate who has a consistent CV, is on an upward career curve and is looking for a long term role with a company with a solid background and history.

The role has a salary range of between £95,000 and £125,000 and the benefits include a premium electric car and a bonus.

Head of Finance

Salary: Hybrid | Competitive + 15% non-contractual bonus + Car of 7,000 + comprehensive benefits package

Work Pattern: Monday - Friday. 37.5 working hours per week, total 8.5 hours per day, between hours of 7.30am - 18.00pm

Overall purpose of job:

The Head of Finance is a pivotal leadership role within our client's organisation. Reporting to the UK Executive Team and with matrix reporting to the Group Finance function in Europe, you will lead a team of 17 finance professionals and play a critical role in driving business performance, ensuring compliance, and enabling strategic decision-making.

This position demands exceptional strategic vision combined with operational expertise, offering the opportunity to make a significant impact on our 0.4bn UK business. You will partner closely with operational leaders across multiple business units to drive profitability while maintaining robust financial governance.

The ideal candidate will bring strategic financial leadership experience from within FMCG or a comparable industry environment. You must demonstrate a track record of building high-performing teams and driving business value through financial insights and commercial acumen.

Key areas of responsibility:

Strategic Financial Leadership

- Partner with UK Executive Team to develop and execute financial strategies aligned with global business objectives
- Provide critical financial insights and decision support to drive business performance
- Lead strategic projects including potential acquisitions, business integrations, and major capital investments
- Identify and implement synergies across UK business units to maximise operational efficiency
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across finance operations

Financial Management & Reporting

- Oversee all financial operations for UK entities with combined turnover of circa 0.4bn
- Ensure timely, accurate monthly, quarterly and annual reporting to both UK leadership and Group headquarters
- Maintain rigorous financial controls and governance frameworks
- Lead the annual budgeting and forecasting processes
- Manage relationships with external auditors to deliver consistently clean audit outcomes
- Oversee tax planning and compliance, working with specialist advisors to optimise the Group's tax position
- Ensure compliance with all relevant accounting standards including FRS101, FRS102, and IFRS

Commercial & Business Partnering

- Act as key financial partner to business unit Managing Directors
- Provide sophisticated financial analysis to support strategic decision-making
- Challenge commercial assumptions and ensure robust business cases for investments
- Identify profit maximisation opportunities and develop strategies to action
- Present financial performance and insights to senior stakeholders at local and Group level

Risk Management & Governance

- Ensure robust Internal Control Framework for Financial Reporting (ICFR)
- Develop and maintain effective risk management strategies
- Lead the ongoing enhancement of financial policies and procedures
- Ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements and Group policies
- Maintain oversight of cash management and working capital optimisation

Systems & Process Innovation

- Partner with IT to drive digital transformation within finance operations
- Lead the evaluation and implementation of finance technology solutions
- Develop enhanced management information systems and reporting tools
- Champion process automation and efficiency improvements
- Design and implement data analytics capabilities to provide deeper business insights

Person specification and experience required:

- Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with 10+ years post-qualification experience
- Minimum 10 years in a senior finance leadership role
- Experience within an SME background an advantage due to the businesses operating as stand-alone units
- Proven track record of leading and developing finance teams of 10+ people
- Experience working in a matrix structure within a multinational organisation
- Demonstrable success in business partnering with commercial operations
- Experience managing financial integrations and change projects
- Strong background in financial reporting, planning and analysis
- Experience with ERP systems implementation or optimisation (JDE experience advantageous)

- Distinct advantage if you have previous FMCG industry experience; or worked within another Manufacturing company.

Technical Skills

- Expert knowledge of UK accounting standards and IFRS
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling capabilities
- Strong understanding of tax legislation and treasury management
- Experience with business intelligence tools and data visualisation
- Working knowledge of modern finance technologies and automation tools
- Familiarity with internal controls frameworks and risk management

Additional benefits include;

Car Allowance 7,000.

Annual holiday allowance 25 days. After 4 years completed service, it will increase to 26 days and after 5 years completed service it will increase to 28 days.
Employees will be given the opportunity to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per holiday.
Pension: Group personal pension, company contribution of 4%.
Life Cover: 3 x your salary in the event of your death to your nominated beneficiary
Medical plan