Our client is a friendly, award-winning Architectural practice in central London with around 50 people, currently looking for a Finance Director to join their team. This could be on a 3, 4, or 5 day basis. The Finance Director will work alongside the MD, Directors and Heads of Department to outline company goals and oversee the organisation's long-term financial health and will coach and develop their Finance Coordinator with support from the Studio Manager. This role could also suit someone slightly more junior but looking for a step up in role.
The successful candidate will be responsible for overseeing all financial aspects of the business, ensuring the efficient and effective management of all financial resources and will be a strategic partner to the Directors, providing financial insights, guidance, and support to drive informed decision-making. Your expertise in financial due diligence and planning will be instrumental in identifying and evaluating potential issues, risks and future proofing the company.
To support the team with their wellbeing and personal commitments, they offer flexible start and finish times, working from home one day per week, and five days per year working from anywhere.
Overall responsibilities:
Audit & Reporting
- Managing cash flow for the business.
- Preparing the monthly management accounts, cash flow updates and maintenance
- Overseeing all reporting, forecasting, and budgeting.
- Monthly presentation and analysis of financial results to key members of the business.
- Ensure compliance with regulatory standards and timely completion of audits.
- Overall responsibility for the company's financial health, including implementing financial strategies, policies and procedures.
- Overall responsibility for the business accounting processes end to end.
- Analysing variances from plans and budgets and identifying areas requiring improvement. Considering the results to identify the risks, threats, opportunities and challenges, enabling contingency planning to take place.
- Ensure the group meet their AOP targets and do not breach any covenants.
Project Finance & Invoicing:
- Weekly project health checks with Senior Teams.
- Project progress reports.
- Oversee monthly client invoices, debtors and maintenance of project cashflow.
Payroll, Pension & Expenses:
- Overall responsibility for payroll and regulatory compliance.
- Sign off of all company expenses.
- Maintenance of Pension Portal & Records.
- Liaising with external consultants for monthly invoicing.
R&D:
- Identification of qualifying projects & activities throughout the business.
- Data extraction & reporting.
- Annual accounts and liaison with auditors.
Tax:
- Overall responsibility for regulatory reporting such as Vat, Corporation Tax, audit, and risk.
Planning:
- Developing financial strategy alongside preparing forecasts and comprehensive budgets.
- Full management of processes and controls.
- Contribute to the achievement of the company’s business objectives by providing advice and guidance on financial strategy and business decisions including business planning.
- Identify and implement cost saving initiatives and analysis.
- Monitoring and help direct the implementation and execution of business plans.
3rd Parties:
- Managing external relationships with banks, auditors, accountants.
- Management of relationships with auditors, insurers, IT service providers and solicitors with support from the Studio Manager.
Team:
- Responsible for managing and developing the Finance Coordinator.
- Provide financial advice and guidance to management and staff to enable them to achieve their objectives.
- Oversee Finance Induction with Finance Coordinator and Studio Manager.
Systems:
- Utilisation of all finance systems.
- Maintenance and development of all financial reporting, financial systems and information within the business.
Skills & Abilities:
- Proven experience in a similar role within Architecture, Construction or a similar industry is essential.
- Fully Qualified Accountant -, either ACA, ACCA or CIMA is essential.
- Degree level qualification in either Finance, Accounting, Business or Mathematics.
Personal Qualities:
- Group and team leadership skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Business acumen.
- Target-driven.
- Strategic thinking.
IT & Software:
- Xero.
- Microsoft 365.
- CMap.