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 Yorkshire
A historic county in northern England, Yorkshire is well known for its beautiful green spaces, as well as its intriguing past - but it has also long been a centre for industry and commerce, making it an ideal choice for those seeking Head of Finance jobs.
During the 15th century, the region was locked in civil war against neighbouring county Lancashire. Known as the Wars of the Roses, this series of conflicts over the throne lasted for more than 85 years, although a more friendly rivalry between the regions still exists today - mainly when it comes to sport.
Renowned for its wool and textile industry, Yorkshire also gained prominence for coal mining in the 16th and 17th centuries.
As the Industrial Revolution took hold, the region flourished - this was especially true of Sheffield, which was known for its innovation in the steel industry. What's more, a series of canals and railways was also developed, simplifying the transport of goods and raw materials throughout the region.
Today, a number of large cities and towns can be found in Yorkshire, including, Sheffield, Leeds, Hull, Halifax and Bradford, and within these locations job seekers can find a variety of industries - from financial and retail, through to manufacturing and technology.
Some of the top employers in the region include Morrisons, Asda, Yorkshire Bank Leeds, First Direct, Timothy Taylor Brewery and McCain Foods (GB).
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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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