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 Plymouth
It is impossible to separate the Devon city of Plymouth with its naval heritage. With a seafaring history dating back to before Roman times, it would go on to become a key military port in the Spanish Armada attack and has played a part in most naval battles in British history owing to our nation’s fractious relations with its southern neighbours. It is also the place from where the Pilgrims set off for the New World in the early 1600s, hence the name Plymouth Rock that marks their landing place.
The city had a good Industrial Revolution, with industry growing around the port, ideal for import and export, and nearby Devonport became a shipbuilding centre. The port’s success and importance did have a drawback, however. The city and its docks were heavily damaged by German bombers in World War II, and much of what stands in the centre of Portsmouth today is of post-war origin.
While seafaring still plays a part in the culture of Plymouth, and connected industries still exist in the area, its importance as a naval and commercial maritime centre have diminished somewhat since the 1980s. There has been a growth in hi-tech industries, with establishments such as the Tamar Science Park providing innovation opportunities.
The city is also in the top 20 by population in the UK, which, together with its overseas trading opportunities, make it the kind of transport hub where Head of Finance jobs often show up.
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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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