Ark Recruitment EST
Head of Finance
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Head of Finance
Chelmsford, Essex
£65k-£70k (depending on experience)
Ark Recruitment is partnering with a highly respected international events and intelligence business to recruit an experienced Head of Finance.
This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established organisation that has experienced significant growth in recent years and is now entering its next phase of expansion. Reporting directly to the CEO, you'll play a pivotal role in shaping the financial strategy of the business while leading the day-to-day finance function.
We're looking for a commercially minded finance leader who enjoys combining strategic thinking with a hands-on approach and wants to make a genuine impact within a growing SME.
The Role
As Head of Finance, you'll take ownership of the entire finance function, ensuring robust financial controls while providing commercial insight to support business growth and strategic decision-making.
Working closely with the leadership team, you'll oversee financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, compliance and cash flow management, whilst driving improvements to systems, processes and financial governance. Importantly, you’ll be in charge of preparing the business for external auditing following their exceptional growth over the last three years.
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
This is a broad leadership role offering significant autonomy and the opportunity to influence the future direction of the business.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the finance function and manage the day-to-day accounting operations
- Produce monthly management accounts, financial reports and board reporting
- Oversee budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management
- Ensure compliance with UK Financial Reporting Standards and statutory requirements
- Manage year-end accounts and external audit processes
- Oversee payroll, VAT returns and financial reconciliations
- Drive continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and reporting
- Partner with senior leadership to provide commercial insight and support strategic decision-making
- Lead, coach and develop the finance team
- Identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and financial performance
About You
We're looking for an experienced finance professional who enjoys working within a growing, entrepreneurial business and can operate both strategically and operationally.
You'll likely bring:
- ACCA or ICAEW qualification (ACA or CIMA full or part qualified desirable)
- Previous experience leading a finance function within an SME or growing business
- Proven hands on experience managing external audits from planning through to completion
- Strong experience producing management accounts, statutory reporting and year-end accounts
- Excellent knowledge of UK accounting standards and financial compliance
- Experience managing audits, VAT and payroll processes
- Strong commercial awareness with the confidence to influence senior stakeholders
- Proven experience implementing or improving finance systems, controls and processes
- Previous people management and leadership experience
- Experience using Xero is highly desirable
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
What's On Offer
- Competitive salary depending on experience
- 28 days annual leave plus an additional discretionary Christmas shutdown
- Ongoing professional development
- Opportunity to work directly with the senior leadership team and recruit your own team as the business continues to grow
- Regular company socials and international event travel
- Genuine opportunity to influence the growth and direction of a successful business
If you're an experienced Finance Manager looking for your next step into a Head of Finance position, or an existing Head of Finance seeking a broader commercial role within a growing business, we'd love to hear from you.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills