Chief Financial Officer / Finance Director

This is an exciting role for an individual to help a small but well established private social purpose company that is highly regarded in its field take its finance function to the next level.

Founded 13 years ago, recent growth in headcount and revenue mean that the company has outgrown its current financial reporting structure, and following an external review is now implementing a new model to improve forecasting, reporting accuracy and commercial skills.

This role is currently filled on an interim basis, but would effectively be defined by the incoming permanent candidate under the direction of the Exec Leadership team. As it is part-time (three days a week), this would particularly suit an individual that has gained significant experience in a commercially minded finance role and is looking to reduce their hours whilst remaining in a senior role. The successful candidate would be expected to be in the office for two of the three days each week.

The ideal candidate will be at least ten years post-qualified with experience of running a finance function within a service based industry (i.e. fees based on rates and hours) and will be comfortable with financial forecasts and reporting, fee preparation, negotiating rates, and giving commercial insights and advice to senior management. They will collaborate with the CEO and the executive team to make decisions regarding the company's financial strategy and operations.

The candidate will possess a strong background in finance and management, be comfortable working with all seniority levels, and have the ability to communicate important commercial and financial information and concepts to their non-finance colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Oversight and leadership of the finance & commercial function.
• Continue the implementation of the recommendations around financial controls and commercial thinking made in a recent externally produced report.
• Work with the Exec Directors and CEO on the rolling three year forecast and related strategy.
• Review and approval of monthly reporting, the budget and re-forecasting process, cash flow, cash management, working capital, and company audits.
• Review and sign-off of financial statements and reports.
• Ensure legal compliance on all financial functions.

Skills and Experience Required

• At least 10 years post-qualified in accountancy (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Strong finance-based analytical skills
• Strong communication skills
• Experience of working with senior management in a finance and/or commercial role
• Experience of leading a finance function
• Experience in negotiating fees based on hourly / daily rates
• An understanding of what drives sustainable improvements in margin in a services/consulting based business

About Crest Advisory

Crest Advisory is a purpose-driven team of experts dedicated to improving justice, policing and public safety through:

• Our in-house think tank, which does the hard thinking on crime and justice reform, publishing robust and independent research in timely, accessible reports.
• Our consulting practice, which quantifies complex problems, devises strategies and transforms services for clients across policing, the criminal justice system, and local or central government.
• Our inquiries and reviews practice, which provides specialist support to public inquiries and independent reviews examining incidents and issues across justice, public safety, health and social care, sport and other sectors.

Our team identifies and helps solve complex problems arising from crime, vulnerability and other social harms. We’re subject matter experts, and many of us have previously worked at the organisations and in the sectors we now serve. We bring expertise, real-world experience and a powerful sense of purpose to our mission - to make communities safer.

Package Offered

• Part time role for three days a week, with at least two of these being in the office.
• £100k-£115k p.a. pro rata (i.e. £60k - £69k actual p.a.) depending on experience and skills.
• Potential bonus opportunity depending on company and individual performance.
• 25 days annual leave pro rata (i.e. 15 days), plus additional days for office closure at Christmas.
• Pension contributions matched at up to 5%.
• Potential to acquire company equity after two years in role dependent on performance and company circumstances.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Crest Advisory is committed to the development of positive policies to promote equal opportunity in employment. Crest therefore encourages applications from all qualified individuals without regard to race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, disability, trade union membership or non-membership, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, gender identity and expression, marriage/civil partnership, age, record of arrest or conviction, or family responsibility. We particularly invite those individuals with lived experience of crime or the criminal justice system to apply.