Head of Finance

A highly regarded hospital and events organisation operating from one of the most impressive and distinctive venues in the Farnham area.  Set within beautiful historic surrounding, the location offers a working environment that is genuinely unlike a traditional office setting.  Not only will you be working within the enviable environment but you will be working in a very collaborative and choesive working environment.

You will take full ownership of its finance function. This is a broad and highly visible position combining financial control, management reporting, commercial business partnering and hands-on operational accounting.

Working closely with the Board of Directors, the successful candidate will provide clear financial insight, maintain robust controls and support informed commercial decision-making across the organisation.

Job Title: Head of Finance

Job Type: Permanent

Location: Farnham

Salary: £65,000 - £75,000

Reference no: HT6126

Head of Finance – Benefits

Senior and highly visible position within an established hospitality business

Direct exposure to the Board of Directors

Full ownership of the finance function

Opportunity to influence financial controls, systems and commercial decision-making

Broad role combining strategic input with hands-on accounting

Support from a part-time Finance Assistant

Hybrid working: 4 days in the office, 1 day working from home.

Hours:  09.30 am – 17:30

25 days annual leave

Private health cover

Discretionary bonus

Head of Finance – About The Role

The successful Head of Finance will take responsibility for the complete day-to-day financial management of the organisation, ensuring accurate reporting, effective controls and full compliance with statutory requirements.

You will act as a key business partner to Board of Directors, providing commercial insight, challenging financial performance and supporting the delivery of the organisation’s strategic objectives.

This is a hands-on role that will require the successful candidate to manage the monthly reporting cycle while retaining oversight of payroll, invoicing, cash flow, supplier payments, revenue recognition and financial controls.

Responsibilities will include:

Producing accurate monthly management accounts, including the profit and loss account, balance sheet and supporting schedules

Preparing the monthly accounts pack and presenting financial performance to the Board in a deck slide formation

Leading the annual budgeting process and completing monthly forecast updates

Producing cash flow forecasts and identifying potential financial risks and opportunities

Analysing financial results, investigating variances and recommending appropriate actions

Providing commercial support and financial insight to Heads of Department

Developing and maintaining effective financial controls, processes and accounting policies

Managing year-end statutory accounts, audit requirements and tax matters in conjunction with external advisers

Ensuring compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, workplace pensions, VAT and other statutory obligations

Processing monthly payroll for permanent and casual employees

Managing pension submissions and payments through NEST

Overseeing client invoicing, receipts, deferred revenue and credit control

Completing daily and monthly bank reconciliations

Managing supplier reconciliations, payment runs and credit card expenditure

Maintaining accruals, prepayments and the fixed asset register

Managing monthly stock takes and calculating food and beverage cost of sales

Preparing profit and loss reporting in USALI format

Ensuring all balance sheet accounts are reconciled and fully supported

Completing quarterly VAT returns

Coordinating finance-related projects and process improvements

Managing and developing the part-time Finance Assistant

Representing finance at weekly operational meetings

Supporting the administration of casual workers, including starter documentation, payroll information and right-to-work records

The successful Head of Finance will have:

A minimum of five years’ experience within a self-accounting finance environment

Previous financial management experience gained within hospitality, events, hotels or a similarly operational business

Experience producing management accounts, budgets, forecasts and cash flow reporting

Strong working knowledge of balance sheet controls, payroll, VAT and statutory compliance

The ability to operate at both a strategic and detailed transactional level

Experience working with senior leadership teams and presenting financial information to directors

Strong commercial awareness and the confidence to challenge and influence operational decisions

Experience managing or supervising a member of a finance team

Advanced Excel skills and strong knowledge of Microsoft Office

Experience using Xero, Sage or a comparable accounting system

Knowledge of property management, venue management or point-of-sale systems would be advantageous

Familiarity with USALI reporting would be beneficial

CIMA, ACCA or ACA qualification would be desirable, although candidates qualified by experience will also be considered

Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we currently receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.

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