A well-established, fun, bold, innovative eyewear brand seeks a new Head of Finance based at our Head Office in Leighton Buzzard.
Here is some of the information you'll need to know …
Wolf Eyewear is a dynamic eyewear business operating within the Optical Sector that focuses on being customer-centric, producing quality products and bringing colour into focus.
We work with independent opticians in the UK and internationally who are passionate about patient care and want to be different, just like us.
We are currently growing our business and are introducing several new systems to improve efficiencies, including finance, stock management, and HR and in doing so, make our team even happier.
The Head of Finance will be a major contributor to help further our growth plans and support the Board with strategic business decisions.
In addition to technical capability, the qualities of the team member we are looking for will be engaging, have a positive approach, demonstrate an awareness of personal brand and impact, and be comfortable in a culture that promotes living our core values.
Our new colleague will also have a positive solution focus and contribute to the continually evolving ‘Centre of Excellence’. Be able to communicate at all levels effectively, have the confidence to challenge the ‘as is’ and have the courage to accept future challenges.
Demonstrate outstanding attention to numeracy detail, administration, and documentation control capability, inclusive of mandatory and statutory financial and ISO compliance requirements and with proven aptitude for organising.
Meticulousness with presented reports and supported with clarity of analytical data.
Have excellent time management and multi-tasking abilities.
Has the desire and aspiration to grow into an executive-level position.
Head of Finance
Reporting to COO (Chief Operating Officer): The Principal duties and responsibilities include:
- Support the CEO (Chief Executive Officer) and COO in the tactical decisions and direction of the business with robust financial details to assist with business growth plans.
- Full P&L accountability.
- Work collaboratively with the Directors on all aspects of planning, purchasing, forecasting, budgeting and associated controls.
- Challenge current business performance and recommend efficiencies where relevant.
- Build, maintain and report on balance sheets, cash flow, cash position and forecasting.
- Complete monthly financial performance reporting, analysis, and update to COO & CEO.
- Conduct financial analysis and identify areas of concern (e.g., product profitability, overheads etc.)
- Develop and implement new initiatives and improvements, working closely with the COO, CEO, and Senior Team with an initiative-taking approach to business development and ad-hoc tasks such as M&A, FDD support.
- Present new insight(s) or improved financial operational processes.
- Oversee the financial month-end process and controls to ensure a smooth and robust process with adequate controls, creating efficiencies and continuously improving resource requirements and reporting output.
- Line manage and oversee the accuracy of work by the Bookkeepers.
- Ensure the business complies with all relevant financial filings and taxation(s) (e.g., Corporation Tax, VAT, PAY & NIC).
- Liaise with 3rd party professionals to support the execution of key responsibilities (e.g., Accountancy firm for statutory accounts).
- Ownership of final management accounts pack ensuring accuracy and compliance with relevant accounting standards and reviewing all balance sheet reconciliations.
- Lead the Year-End process, including the year-end audit, all tax-related matters, and the statutory accounts.
- Perform other job-related duties as assigned.
Knowledge, skills and qualifications required:
- Have a strong record of accomplishment in finance and have previously worked in a Finance Management role with a proven understanding of fiscal management and accounting.
- Use of tools and techniques to visualise data in easy-to-understand formats, such as diagrams and graphs.
- Effective in the use of IT software such MS365.
- Proficient/Advanced use of Microsoft Excel.
- Power BI and Dashboard creations.
- Some previous experience with manufacturing or import/export business that hold stock
- Experience of working with various accounting software packages (e.g., Xero, QuickBooks, and Sage50).
- System-minded, able to pick up and integrate new systems or processes (e.g., stock control)
- Strong statistical analysis of data and decision-making abilities.
- Emotionally intelligent; a team player with exceptional listening and communication skills.
- Manipulation of data in CSV or similar for import and export into ERP/Accounts platforms.
- Has appetite for personal development of self and others.
- Be a CIMA/ACA/ACCA qualified accountant or equivalent.