Chief Operating Officer

An excellent opportunity has arisen for a Chief Operating Officer within a business that underwent an MBO 18 months ago and since then has experienced substantial growth and are continuing in the ascendancy. They are Reading based with offices in London, The Midlands and Northern England, who provide specialist professional services to businesses across the UK. They require a strategic and commercially creative professional to provide finance and operational leadership across the organisation during this continued period of growth. Reporting to the Managing Director, this is a fantastic opportunity for an experienced Finance Director to broaden their horizons and gain operational exposure.

The COO is responsible for the non-client facing management and operations of the organisation.

Key areas of responsibility and duties will encompass:

Finance:

• To act as the organisation's Finance Director including responsibility for all aspects of the day to day management and operations to ensure an efficient and compliant finance function
• Supervision of an accounts team with responsibility for billing management, credit control, purchase ledger and related payments, expenses, company bank accounts, VAT and tax - including timely returns to HMRC
• Preparation of monthly management accounts and completion of year end accounts
• Preparation of budgets and forecasts. Ensuring client profitability
• Procurement, within agreed budget, of advice and support on accountancy issues
• Developing and maintaining a robust accounting system with appropriate controls
• Managing all aspects of the organisation's payroll and working effectively with external auditors

Human Resources:

• All aspects of the management of the organisation's people resource
• Determining the appropriate level of staffing, their seniority, skill mix and diversity and make recommendations in this respect to the Board
• To lead on the recruitment of new people
• In conjunction with the Managing Director, to set the remuneration policy for all team roles
• To define and manage the line management structure and performance review process
• To deal with misconduct and discipline issues and formal performance management processes, working with HR support
• To define and manage the team training programme and enforce the firm's CPD policy
• To design and periodically review the progression matrix for team members and support line managers in leading the team through the progression matrix

Insurance:

• Identify the insurable and uninsurable risks and, from the board, get agreement to their risk appetite (ie for uninsured risks and excesses)
• Acknowledge and consider new risks as they emerge - from the board and Head of Risk and Compliance
• The appointment of a broker from time to time on competitive terms. The provision of company data to the broker. The consideration of quotes/terms.
• The selection of insurance provider within budget or without the budget subject to approval of the board.
• The management of claims and claims notifications.
• The publication of policies, within the business, required by law eg Employer's Liability

Risk Management and IT:

• Compilation of overall compliance database. Creation and maintenance of checklists
• Scheme return, accounts and DC CAS monitoring. Client take on and AML
• Staff compliance training. CPD monitoring. Peer review/quality control
• Breach reporting. Management of company AAF process
• Organisation's and Client GDPR compliance process.
• Creation and maintenance of a risk register and ensure all IT systems are robust and fit for purpose

About you:

• Qualified Accountant ACA / ACCA / CIMA, ideally with at least 5 years' post qualified experience, preferably in a professional services or related business, and had previous experience as a stand-alone FD
• A goal orientated, motivated finance professional with a passion for people management
• Personable, pragmatic and professional. A strong, confident person with strong values
• An ability to develop and build a strong reputation for the professionalism of the organisation
• A commitment to delivering good service. Creative, innovative and open minded.
• Able to provide constructive challenge to those around you. Resilient without being arrogant.
• Professional, assured, with the ability to communicate effectively at all levels
• Works well under pressure in fast paced environment
• Strong technical, problem solving and analytical skills
• Sound experience in IT systems and highly process driven

This is a great opportunity to transition from pure Finance to Operations and make a significant, long term, strategic impact in a well-respected growing company with the potential for significant personal and professional growth for the right candidate.