HOF

A Head of Finance is responsible for overseeing a company’s financial operations and day-to-day activities, including risk management, forecasting, budgeting, and investments. They will ensure that the company’s financial activities align with its strategic goals, including identifying investment opportunities and ensuring regulatory compliance. A Head of Finance typically reports to the CFO or CEO.

Their daily responsibilities include financial forecasting, managing the financial department, producing reports, and ensuring adequate cash flow. SMEs and start-ups may choose to recruit a Head of Finance as an alternative to a CFO, while larger companies may have both positions, with the Head of Finance overseeing internal financing and the CFO being responsible for external engagement.

Our guide takes an in-depth look at the job description for a Head of Finance, including desirable skills and common interview questions.

Are you looking for a new role as a Head of Finance or recruiting for this position? Contact our team at recruitment@fdcapital.co.uk or call us on 020 3287 9501 for a no-obligation consultation. Find Head of Finance roles at www.fdcapital.co.uk.

A Head of Finance is an executive role, comparable to that of a Finance Director or CFO. It’s a role that can be adjusted to suit the needs of your specific company, depending on your leadership hierarchy and other roles. The main role of a Head of Finance is to ensure the company remains profitable, working alongside other executives to make appropriate investments to help support sustainable growth.

A Head of Finance’s primary responsibility is to identify opportunities to maximise the company’s revenue and make appropriate investments, while ensuring adequate cash flow. They’ll oversee the company’s finance department and work closely with C-suite executives to maximise value creation. A Head of Finance needs to be data-driven and able to analyse consumer research, real-time data, and market trends for their forecasting.

Candidates hoping to progress their career to the role of Head of Finance should have a commercial mindset with analytical skills. While the role is often considered similar to that of a Financial Controller, a Head of Finance oversees the finance department, is responsible for risk management, and identifies new opportunities for revenue growth.

The role and responsibilities of a Head of Finance will vary depending on the company’s size, the industry it operates in, and its hierarchical structure. The job description of a Head of Finance includes:

• Developing and implementing strategies to maximise value creation, increase revenue, and reduce operating costs to create sustainable growth.
• Overseeing the company’s budgeting, including departmental and overall budget, including implementing cost-saving measures.
• Support the CEO by providing data-driven insights and analysis for commercial decision-making.
• Ensuring the company maintains adequate cash flow to support its day-to-day operations, while still making investments.
• Preparing business activity reports and financial statements in line with regulatory requirements.

• Collaborating with other departments to align financial management with short and long-term planning.

• Managing internal auditing processes and engaging with external auditors.
• Responsible for the company’s accounting, including collections, and taxation information.
• Responsible for the company’s taxation filing, ensuring they are accurate and filed on time.
• Overseeing the finance department, including recruiting new employees, mentoring, and training existing employees.
• Preparing financial reports for regulatory bodies, stakeholders, and C-suite management.
• Identifying investment opportunities that align with the company’s growth strategies and long-term plans.

• Developing and implementing strategies to improve the company’s financial performance and cash flow.

A Head of Finance will typically have a degree in finance, accounting, or a similar field. Most will also hold a master’s degree in accounting, business administration, or finance. The role of Head of Finance is a senior executive position with candidates expected to have extensive experience in financial leadership roles.

Successful candidates need experience in forecasting, financial operations, auditing, and preparing financial statements. Most candidates will have started their career as a financial analyst or accountant before progressing to a leadership role, such as Financial Controller. A Head of Finance may then progress to the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

Candidates need the skills and experience to work in fast-paced environments, lead the finance department, and engage with stakeholders. If you’re recruiting for a Head of Finance, you’ll want to consider your company’s specific needs. Most start-ups and SMEs requiring a Head of Finance might also have them take on roles and responsibilities typically assigned to a Finance Director, CFO, or Financial Controller.

Requirements for a Head of Finance:

• Experience as a senior financial professional, such as a Director of Finance or equivalent role. Most candidates will have at least ten years of experience.
• Analytical and decision-making skills, including engaging with third-party stakeholders and translating financial forecasting and ideas.
• Experience in budgeting, risk management, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Knowledge of accounting software, including forecasting tools to provide real-time data insights. Candidates should have the skills to navigate the latest accounting software to automate data processing.
• Practical knowledge of data analysis, forecasting, and analysing market insights to advise the CEO and other C-suite executives.
• Experience leading a department, delivering results, and engaging with other executives as part of the senior leadership team.

The ideal candidate for a Head of Finance role will have a proven track record of leadership and management experience.

Here are five popular interview questions for a Head of Finance role that you should prepare answers for as part of the recruitment process.

1. What size of budgets have you previously worked with, and what challenges have you faced?
2. How do you stay on top of the latest trends in the financial sector, including technology?
3. What are the most important parts of planning and implementing a successful budget?
4. How do you ensure that a company is fully compliant with regulatory measures and policies?
5. How would you assess the financial performance of a company at the start of your role as Head of Finance?

Most of our Head of Finances are based in London and available to work both in-house and remotely, as well as hybrid, providing full flexibility. FD Capital is based in Great Portland Street in London with a wide network of financial professionals throughout the capital.

An interim London Head of Finance can help to stabilise your organisation during times of economic upheaval and to oversee specific projects, including financial restructuring and private equity engagement. Recruiting a Head of Finance on an interim basis provides flexibility, along with credibility for your organisation with private investors and traditional financial institutions.

You don’t need to be a multi-national organisation to recruit an Head of Finance  in London. Dozens of our financial executives are available to work on a part-time or fractional basis for London companies. You’ll get access to industry-leading experts without the financial burden of a full-time leadership position when recruiting a Head of Finance through FD Capital.

London SAAS Finance Directors

CEOs need a trusted advisor to oversee the company’s financial health and fundraising efforts, particularly those within the SaaS industry. It’s why they turn to Finance Directors with experience working with SaaS companies throughout the seed and Series A funding process.

Our portfolio of candidates includes a range of FCs experienced within the tech industry and a background in private equity. These candidates are ideal for tech companies, including SaaS organisations, searching for an FC to spearhead their fundraising campaign, conduct internal auditing, or build investor confidence.

FD Capital has an extensive network of Financial Controllers located across London with experience working in the local tech industry who understand the challenges SAAS companies face

We’ll work with you to identify your company’s needs, spot your skills gap, and determine what you need to support your long-term strategy.

FD Capital is Oxford’s leading recruitment agency for senior financial executives. Most of our Oxford Head of Finance are ACA/FCA (ICAEW) qualified accountants. Many of them are available to work in-house or remotely with immediate starts. Our Oxford Head of Finances are available to work on a part-time, interim, or full-time basis.

Part-Time Head of Finance Oxford

The changing role of Head of Finance makes them a vital part of any company’s leadership team. Oxford is one of the UK’s main business hubs in the UK with a diverse range of industries spread across the region.

A part-time Head of Finance is more financially viable for start-ups and SMEs in the Oxford area. It provides the flexibility to develop the position as your company grows. Start-ups and SMEs typically don’t have a large enough workload for a full-time position, making a part-time Head of Finance the best of both worlds.

Almost every industry is making the move to digital. An e-commerce Head of Finance has experience working across departments to deliver a cohesive financial strategy that accounts for consumer behaviour and technological trends. A financial director will implement forecasting, use MS Power BI, real-time data analysing, and KPIs that enable your company to track its development and prevent unnecessary spending.

FD Capital is committed to making Head of Finances more accessible for start-ups and SMEs by promoting part-time positions with portfolio and specialist Head of Finances. A part-time Head of Finance is an affordable option to grow your business without a long-term contractual obligation or the financial burden of a full-time leadership position.

Birmingham is quickly becoming a leading business hub in the West Midlands with links to financial capitals across the world. It’s quickly becoming competition for London with companies like Cadburys, Gymshark, and Lloyds Bank.

Have one of our specialists call you back to discuss your hiring needs.