Job Description

This role is a key enabler in the development of the finance function as part of the overall Group strategy. The overarching goal of the function is to “To embed the right financial framework across the Business; achieving financial control and commercial creativity; neither at the expense of the other”.
The implementation and upgrade to a single finance system along with the consolidation to one trading entity are key strategic initiatives which will deliver synergies and scalability through process improvement and adopting best practices, directly impacting the financial performance of the Group.
Key responsibilities will include but not limited to:

• Developing the “To Be” finance processes and system requirements along with the associated implementation plan and delivering to the agreed timescales
• Understanding and mapping existing system requirements across existing Sage Line 50 and Xero systems, liaising with key areas of the business to understand their touch points and to capture requirements to ensure that the future system meets both control and reporting requirements whilst continuing to support the wider business
• Responsible for the final design and implementation of the new Finance system and master data (CoA, hierarchies etc.) ensuring that all necessary functionality is enabled and working to exploit new modules in order to maximize the efficiency of Finance processes ensuring accurate and appropriate data migration
• Mapping and refining existing Finance processes to ensure that the system is fully exploited removing manual processes, duplication and “work around” to provide a robust control environment
• Reviewing and re-designing the finance reporting suite to meet finance and business needs optimizing the new system and minimizing manual processing for report production
• Working with the CFO and finance team to define the “one system, one function” approach defining the new standardized ways of working
• Ownership of the implementation project plan for the systems integration:
  • Key stakeholder engagement across all functions
  • Budgetary responsibility for the integration spend
  • Communicating milestones to the business; mitigating risk and exploiting opportunities for further process improvement and cost savings
  • Ensuring robust documentation regarding system usage, defining roles and responsibilities and ensuring training is given where needed
• Alignment of the Finance work stream with the wider systems integration programme, ensuring the interdependencies are managed, risks are mitigated, and benefits are realized
• Working with the CFO & the Senior Management Team to merge the two existing businesses into a single trading entity. This will involve:
  • Novation of all contracts including customer, supplier and staff contracts across the businesses
  • Mapping all existing transactions across to the new entity and ensuring the new entity has robust Financial and Management Accounts
  • Liaise with Tax Advisors to ensure the integration of the corporate structure doesn’t incur any tax liabilities and utilizes any existing tax breaks to the full
  • Ensuring the transfer or all assets is tax efficient and meets statutory and legal requirements
• Liaise effectively with IT consultants and Legal and Accountancy advisors
• Working with key stakeholders across the Group to deliver process improvements, directly improving the financial performance of the Group.
• Assist in other ad-hoc projects as requested by the CFO

Skills & Experience
Key Skills and Experience would include but not limited to:

Preferred:

• Experience of Sage Accounting packages, up to and including Sage 200.
• Knowledge of CRM/ ERP systems.
• Experience of working in fast paced SME environment.
• Previous IT or Telco experience.
• Experience of Xero.
• Knowledge of corporate finance and trading entities.

Personal Qualities:

• Professional attitude.
• Integrity.
• Self-motivated
• Effective communicator.
• Adaptable and positive attitude to change.
• Credible.
• Confident.
• Strong work ethic.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

ACA, ACCA or CIMA Qualification or equivalent. Experience of a Finance Systems integration. Strong Financial Accounting knowledge – understanding of all core finance processes including AP, AR, GL, month-end and accounting standards. Advanced Excel skills. Excellent time and project management skills. Ability to operate at pace, meeting targets in a high pressurized environment. Capability to manage difficult situations. Genuine desire to improve the finance function. Ability to communicate effectively at all levels. Excellent communication and presentation skills, including written reports and presentations.