About Us

The Heart of England Co-operative Society is seeking a skilled and passionate Head of Finance to join our Finance team. We are committed to providing outstanding service to our communities while fostering a positive and growth-oriented work environment. If you're looking to make an impact, contribute to continuous improvement, and be part of a supportive team culture, we'd love to hear from you.

Role Overview

As the Head of Finance, you will be responsible for leading the month-end close process, supporting budgeting and forecasting, and providing valuable financial insights to both the executive team and the wider business. This role is a key part of our finance leadership team, requiring hands-on involvement in year-end accounts, liaising with auditors, and ensuring compliance with tax regulations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end process to deliver timely financial close.
• Manage and develop the finance team, ensuring high performance and efficiency.
• Provide commercial finance support to aid the monitoring and growth of business plans.
• Prepare ad-hoc financial reports, scenario analyses, and provide actionable insights.
• Enhance cash flow, balance sheet, and profit and loss (P&L) forecasting.
• Review cash flow forecasts to manage debt levels effectively.
• Analyse financial performance against budgets and forecasts, preparing commentary with key recommendations.
• Foster a collaborative and high-performance work environment.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives across finance processes.
• Collaborate across departments to align financial targets and objectives.

What We're Looking For

• Qualifications: A qualified accountant (CIMA, ACA, ACCA) with over 5 years of accounting experience.
• Experience:
  • Proficient in Microsoft Excel and other accounting software.
  • Experience with year-end accounts, working with auditors, and managing tax computations.
  • Demonstrated experience in managing financial reporting, delivering commercial finance support, and working with large data sets.
  • Proven ability to lead, motivate, and develop a finance team.
• Skills:
  • Strong analytical skills with great attention to detail.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Advanced Excel skills, with experience in scenario planning and data analysis.
• Attributes:
  • A growth mindset with a desire for continuous learning.
  • Ability to work as part of a team and foster positive relationships across the Society.
  • A passion for innovation and improvement.

Desirable Skills

• Experience using the Access accounting package.
• Previous experience in the retail industry.

Why Join Us?

• Become a vital part of a respected community-focused organisation.
• Opportunity for career growth, with the potential to develop into a senior role as the deputy to the Finance Director.
• A supportive and collaborative team environment that values continuous improvement and innovation.

INDLP