Head of Finance
Occupying a position below the board but with a huge amount of responsibility, the head of finance for a company is mainly responsible for gathering financial information from the business and reporting the data to the board. They might also be involved with decision making where finances are concerned, but they will usually have to defer to the CEO, COO or CFO, and might therefore be employed in an advisory role.
The head of finance will also be involved with forecasting, both in the company’s own activities and with regard to the region or wider world. While forecasts are not always strictly scientific, they must be informed and educated enough to make a case for the board to make spending and investment decisions on their basis.
In some head of finance jobs, there is, however, a good deal of autonomy to make decisions without daily reference to the board, within certain budgetary and projected constraints. It depends on the size and structure of the business.
Head of finance skills
As head of finance, you’ll have to be extremely adept at all manner of accountancy, bookkeeping, forecasting and reporting. Experience at a senior level within the financial department of a large business will stand you in good stead, although everyone has to start somewhere, so a specific head of finance title is not always requested, as long as you have a proven track record of financial management.
As far as qualifications are concerned, a BSc/BA in accounting or finance will often be a minimum requirement, but other related qualifications and experience will also be considered in many cases.
Head of Finance Jobs in Gateshead
Located just over the River Tyne from Newcastle, Gateshead has always been somewhat overshadowed and culturally engulfed by its neighbour in the public conscious, but it’s a happening town in its own right, with a huge amount going for it in terms of art, sport and industry. Gateshead was busy during the Industrial Revolution, with coal mining and ironworks playing important roles; the town produced ships’ anchors and chains for which demand was insatiable.
As the availability of electric energy took hold, Gateshead would become known as a cable manufacturing town, and the first trans-Channel telegraph wire was made there, as was half of the first transatlantic one. Sir Joseph Swan, one of those credited with the invention of the lightbulb, lived and performed his experiments in Gateshead, and it is thought that his house was the world’s first to be electrified for lighting. Modern Gateshead is still thriving. It is home to Europe’s largest shopping centre, the Metro Centre, as well as several trading and industrial estates. Gateshead, and its neighbour Newcastle, are ideal places to look for a Head of Finance position. The region is doing well economically, and there’s still a good deal of industry to complement the huge opportunity offered by its retail sector.
Culturally, Gateshead is head and wings above many larger towns and cities. Right at its south point is Antony Gormley’s towering Angel of the North statue, and at its northernmost point are the Sage Gateshead and the Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, which occupies what was a flour mill. Tow of the north’s most iconic bridges, the “Blinking Eye” and the steel arch Tyne Bridge, both join Newcastle with Gateshead (along with five others). Gateshead stadium plays host to top athletics meetings, and for a month in 2006 was the location of the world 100 m sprint record (9.77 seconds) set by Asafa Powell.
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Head of finance recruitment at Cast UK
When looking for the right person to fill such a key role in a business, you need as relevant a shortlist as possible so you can decide on the perfect one. That’s where Cast UK comes in. We only work with recruits at senior levels, so you can be sure that any candidates who have been through our filter will be relevant and ready to make a difference. Call 0333 121 3345 to speak to one of our experts.
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