Financial Director @ Alexander Kaye Recruitment Limited

Full or Part time

1 Day Hybrid

Alexander Kaye Recruitment are working with a growing SME business based Nottinghamshire.

The role is reporting directly into the owner/board and is ideal for a qualified accountant with strong interpersonal skills.

The Finance Director is responsible for leading the financial management and strategic financial planning of the business. As a key member of the senior leadership team, the Finance Director will ensure the company maintains strong financial controls, delivers accurate financial reporting, supports commercial decision-making, and drives sustainable profitable growth.

Within an SME environment, this role combines strategic leadership with hands-on financial management, requiring the ability to operate at both board and operational levels.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Develop and implement the company's financial strategy aligned with business objectives.
• Act as a trusted advisor to the Managing Director and senior leadership team.
• Support business growth initiatives, investment opportunities, and strategic projects.
• Provide financial analysis and recommendations to support decision-making.
• Evaluate business risks and opportunities from a financial perspective.

Financial Management

• Lead all aspects of financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management.
• Review and ensure accurate monthly management accounts.
• Produce accurate board reports.
• Monitor financial performance against budgets and KPIs.
• Ensure adequate working capital and treasury management.
• Manage company banking relationships and funding arrangements.
• Oversee foreign currency exposure where applicable.

Financial Control & Compliance

• Maintain robust financial controls and processes.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, tax legislation, and statutory requirements.
• Manage statutory accounts preparation.
• Work Closely with our external accountants for year end and taxes.
• Oversee Corporation Tax, VAT, payroll taxes, and other regulatory returns.
• Ensure accurate maintenance of accounting records.

Commercial Support

• Provide financial insight into pricing, margins, profitability, and product performance.
• Analyse customer, product, and channel profitability.
• Drive initiatives to improve operational efficiency and profitability.
• Work closely with department heads to improve budget ownership and accountability.

Cash Flow and Working Capital

• Manage daily and long-term cash flow requirements.
• Monitor debtors, creditors, inventory levels, and working capital metrics.
• Develop strategies to optimise cash generation and financial performance.
• Ensure appropriate funding is available to support business operations and growth.

Team Leadership

• Lead, develop, and motivate the finance team
• Establish clear objectives and performance measures.
• Identify training and development opportunities.
• Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and commercial awareness.
• Support succession planning within the finance function.

Systems and Process Improvement

• Drive financial systems improvements and digital transformation initiatives.
• Ensure efficient financial reporting processes.
• Support Sage 200 and business intelligence system development.
• Implement best practice processes and controls across the organisation.

HR & Payroll

• Work Closely with our external HR to support in house HR communication and admin.
• Attend virtual monthly HR review meetings.
• Review and authorise monthly payroll processed by our external payroll company.
• Review and authorise P11D submissions.

Person Specification

Experience & Qualifications Essential

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• Senior finance leadership experience.
• Experience within an SME environment.
• Budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning expertise.
• Strong cash flow management experience.
• Experience managing external accountants and statutory compliance.
• Proven experience leading and developing finance teams.

Desirable

• Manufacturing, distribution, retail, e-commerce, digital or supply chain experience.
• Sage 200 and business systems improvement experience.
• Experience with IOSS and OSS.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Strategic thinking
• Commercial acumen
• Leadership and team development
• Communication and influencing skills
• Stakeholder management
• Process improvement mindset

SME-Specific Expectations

In addition to strategic leadership responsibilities, the Finance Director will be expected to maintain a hands-on approach, becoming actively involved in operational finance activities where necessary. The successful candidate will be comfortable working within a fast-paced SME environment and capable of balancing strategic planning with day-to-day execution.

Keywords: Financial Director/Financial Controller/FD/FC/Nottingham/NG1/NG2/NG3/NG4/NG5/NG6/Management Accountant