Chief Finance Officer
Keeping on top of the balance sheet is about as essential a job as it’s possible to have for a business. Whether it’s a profitable company already or a startup that’s running on loans and investment, unless every penny of income and expenditure is accounted for, it’s going to hit financial problems. That’s why large companies have a whole team of people working in the finance department, and overseeing them is the chief financial officer (CFO).
CFO jobs aren’t just for accountants who want a bigger desk, of course. They are embedded in the whole fabric of the company’s financial wellbeing and decision making. They will be in charge of risk management, financial planning, green-lighting investment proposals, budgeting, overseeing payroll and taxation, and will often be actively seeking new investment in the company.
In large companies, the CFO will be overseeing managers, who in turn will be in charge of finance staff ensuring every invoice is chased up and every bill paid, but the grand financial strategy of the company will be in their hands.
CFO jobs: the skills required
Chief financial officer positions go to professionals with a track record in balancing the books of a major business, whether that’s running one themselves or rising through the ranks of accountancy, financial officer roles and other similar career paths.
You’ll be highly adept at data analysis – managing the finances of a company is part science, part instinct, and you’ll need to be able to analyse proposals with an open but critical mind. CFOs are mostly educated to BA or MA level, preferably in finance, accounting or economics, or perhaps also mathematics or some subject closely related to the company’s niche.
Chief Finance Officer Jobs in the West Midlands
Comprising seven metropolitan boroughs - the city of Birmingham, the City of Coventry, Dudley, Solihull, Sandwell, Walsall and the City of Wolverhampton, the West Midlands is an English county with plenty of opportunities for those seeking Chief Finance Officer vacancies.
Throughout history, the region has been known for its commerce and industry. During the Middle Ages, wool and cloth manufacture brought a significant amount of wealth to the West Midlands, particularly in Coventry.
By the 1700s, metalworking, small arms manufacture and mining were all important for the local economy, and this expanded to include bicycle building during the Industrial Revolution and beyond. In addition, two large banks - Lloyds and Midlands Bank (which later became HSBC) were both founded in the region during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Fast forward to today and the West Midlands is thriving. Birmingham, which vies with Manchester for the title of Britain's second city, has been called one of the best places in the country to have a business and it seems that big companies agree.
From finance and media, to manufacturing, engineering, tourism, retail and the service sector, there are many well-known organisations with headquarters or other large facilities in the region - including Cooks the Bakery, Marston's, Chubb Locks and Carillion.
Jaguar, Land Rover and MG cars are also manufactured in the West Midlands, along with London's iconic black taxis.
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CFO jobs at Cast UK
At Cast UK, we’re used to dealing with candidates looking for CFO jobs and employers seeking the best applicants. So whether you’re running the recruitment for a business and need some top talent in your finance department or have the skills and need new challenges, we’re here to help.
Employers should call 0333 121 3345 so we can start matching up your business needs with those of the executive and management level candidates who use our services. If you’re looking for employers who deserve your talents, register with us today by clicking the link below, so we can help to get your CV in front of the decision makers in some of the world’s best companies.
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