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 Glasgow
Located on the River Clyde in the western region of Scotland, Glasgow is the largest city north of the border and has the third largest population in the UK.
Known predominantly for its industrial past, which included the production of items ranging from textiles, carpet, furniture, food and drink, through to explosives, chemicals and industrial machinery, Glasgow was known during the 19th century as the Second City of the Empire.
A quarter of all the world's locomotives at the time were manufactured in Glasgow, while the Clyde shipyards were bustling with workers creating seafaring vessels of every shape and size.
Over the last 200 years, Glasgow has changed significantly. Most of the shipyards are gone (although some are still in operation) and many of the factories have been replaced with world-class shopping and high-end accommodation. Indeed, the city is ranked as one of Europe's top financial centres and one of the most liveable cities in the world.
For those seeking Head of Finance roles in Glasgow, there are plenty of opportunities, whether you're interested in manufacturing, retail, technology, biosciences, finance, education, media or transport.
Indeed, just some of the companies based in Glasgow include Clydesdale Bank, BAE Systems Surface Fleet Solutions, BBC Scotland, The Herald and John Dewar & Sons.
There's also the Port of Glasgow and Glasgow International Airport, and the city is home to four universities, a number of colleges and several sports teams, not to mention a variety of entertainment venues.
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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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