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 Stockton-on-Tees
Stockton-on-Tees is a large town to the west of Middlesbrough, which is historically notable as being one end of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, the first commercial railway in the world, which opened in 1825. The railway wasn’t built for fun, though – Stockton was an important industrialised town that had a thriving shipbuilding industry as well as a market that attracted people from miles around. Other industries connected to shipbuilding, such as rope-making and sail-making, also prospered. Two years after the railway was opened, in 1827, another world-changing event took place in Stockton – the strikeable match was invented by local chemist John Walker.
Heavy industry declined in the post-war period, and Stockton residents were more likely to commute to Middlesbrough, Hartlepool or Darlington to work than to work close to home. However in the 1990s and 2000s there was a good deal of redevelopment, with business parks being constructed and a new industry – the call centre – making an appearance here, along with other North East towns and cities. The friendly nature of the local accents is often cited as one of the reasons for the concentration of call centres in this area.
In 2012 Stockton-on-Tees became one of Mary Portas’s twelve “Portas Pilot” town centres which are set for regeneration via some government cash and a sprinkling of expertise. The regeneration is hoped to create new jobs and give the retail sector a boost, which could be good news for anyone looking for a Head of Finance job in the town. With plenty of heavy industry in the immediate vicinity, it’s definitely worth having a local search, too.
Popular locations
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.
If you’re looking for your next job as head of finance, we can put you in touch with top companies who need your talents. Please register with us by clicking the link below.
Contact us