Head of Finance

We are working with a growing UK-based technology and software group as they appoint a Head of Group Finance to play a key role in the next stage of the organisation's growth. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant who wants to broaden their remit and take genuine ownership across Group reporting, financial control, forecasting, technical accounting and finance improvement. The business operates through a number of established divisions, each with its own finance capability, supported by a central Group Finance team and external advisers. This is therefore not a role where you will be expected to do everything yourself. Instead, you will provide Group-level ownership, judgement and coordination, bringing together divisional finance teams and advisers to improve consistency, visibility and performance across the organisation. A role with scope to shape the future The Group is at an exciting stage of its development and is looking to evolve how Finance operates. There is a clear opportunity for the successful candidate to improve processes, make better use of systems and data, and explore automation and emerging technologies, including AI, where these can genuinely add value. Your first few months will be focused on understanding the different businesses, finance processes and systems, while building strong relationships with divisional finance leaders and key stakeholders. Working closely with the CFO, you will then help establish and deliver a practical roadmap for the continued development of the Group Finance function. This is a hands-on, high-visibility role with genuine scope to grow as the business does. What you will be responsible for You will take ownership of the Group's core finance processes, including:

• Group reporting and consolidation – leading the monthly consolidation and management reporting process and coordinating half-year and year-end reporting.
• Financial control – strengthening controls, processes and documentation while improving the quality, consistency and timeliness of Group reporting.
• Audit and technical accounting – leading the Group audit and providing guidance on IFRS, UK GAAP and significant or judgemental accounting matters.
• Budgeting and forecasting – leading the Group budgeting and forecasting cycle and developing more effective approaches to financial analysis and performance reporting.
• Finance improvement – identifying opportunities to simplify, automate and improve recurring finance activities, data quality and reporting.
• Systems and technology – developing the use of reporting and FP&A tools and exploring practical applications of automation and AI.
• Tax and corporate activity – coordinating Group tax matters and supporting acquisitions, integration and other corporate activity from a finance and accounting perspective.
• Leadership and stakeholder management – working closely with divisional finance leaders, senior stakeholders and external advisers to drive consistency and capability across the Group.
• CFO support – providing high-quality analysis, management information and decision support, while deputising for the CFO where appropriate. What we're looking for We are looking for a qualified accountant – ACA, ACCA or CIMA – with strong core finance experience and the ambition to move into a broader Group-level position. You may currently be a Financial Controller, Senior Finance Manager or similar, or already have some Head of Finance responsibility and be ready to take the next step. You should bring:
• Strong experience across financial reporting, month-end, management accounts and financial control.
• Experience of Group reporting, consolidation or audit in a multi-entity environment.
• Good working knowledge of IFRS and UK GAAP, with the ability to investigate and resolve technical accounting matters.
• Experience working across multiple businesses, entities or divisions.
• Experience of budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Strong Excel and financial systems capability.
• An interest in data, systems, automation and technology-enabled finance.
• The ability to manage competing priorities and deliver accurately against important deadlines.
• Confidence to make and communicate sound accounting and commercial judgements.
• A practical approach and willingness to get into the detail when required. Experience within software, technology, SaaS or wider services would be advantageous, as would exposure to listed, investor-backed or PE-backed environments, multi-currency structures, FP&A platforms, automation or AI-enabled finance processes. The person Ultimately, we are looking for someone who wants to build something and grow with the business. You will be commercially curious, comfortable operating at both strategic and detailed levels, and interested in understanding how the wider organisation operates rather than viewing Finance in isolation. You will be someone who takes ownership, challenges constructively and follows things through. You will enjoy improving processes rather than simply maintaining them, and be confident enough to make decisions while recognising when specialist input is required. Crucially, you will be comfortable leading through influence as well as direct reporting lines, building credibility with senior stakeholders and bringing different finance teams together around common processes, standards and priorities. For the right individual, this is an opportunity to take on a genuinely broad Group Finance remit, work closely with an experienced CFO and help shape how Finance supports the next phase of growth.