Head of Finance

About Sipsynergy

Sipsynergy is a Private Equity backed, Unified Communication As A Service (UCAAS) provider to the SME market in UK & Ireland. We offer white labelled products through a network of resellers.Supported by new funding, we are looking to scale up an exciting new brand (‘Callroute’) targeting the very large and fast growing Microsoft Teams market, through resellers and directly to the end user. Callroute is a cloud service that integrates seamlessly with Microsoft Teams, adding telephony capabilities within minutes, providing businesses with a truly Unified Communications solution, giving them the opportunity to dispose of or coexist with their traditional telephone system (PBX).

We are looking for a Head of Finance with the potential to progress to Finance Director for the business becoming a key member of the executive management team of Sipsynergy and to support the business through a period of rapid change and high growth from £2.5m to £8m by June 2023. You will play a vital part in ensuring strong and agile processes and structure are in place to facilitate growth, play a critical role in commercial performance management and help shape both tactical and strategic decision making and execution in the business. Given the size and anticipated growth of the company, a high degree of hands-on involvement will be required to ensure financial and non-financial integrity of management information to facilitate quick and effective decision making.

The role reports to the CEO and will be office based at Chandlers Ford, with limited WFH options post Covid. There will be an initial hand over period with the current Chair/Interim FD.

Key Objectives

• Deliver transparency and visibility of business performance through setting and monitoring of key KPIs.
• Work with the CEO and senior management team to identify appropriate infrastructure investment.
• Drive business planning, strategy development and commercial input for sales and marketing function.
• Manage all financial matters relating to the business including bank relationships and interface with the PE backer.
• Recruit, develop and retain the appropriate finance team resource.
• Deliver appropriate financial control and management.
• Produce and interpret management accounts, rolling forecast.
• Issue all required financial information and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Attend board meeting and produce the minutes in consultation with the CEO.
• Act as Company Secretary and ensure full regulatory compliance.
• Contribute to the debate around the strategic direction of the business and assist in the delivery of the overall business strategy.
• Proactively report to the Board on company performance against forecast and ensure all financial and reporting requirements are satisfied.
• Use financial information to increase profits and improve efficiencies.
• Liaise with the Bank and Investors on an ongoing basis.
• Work with other executives in the ongoing development and delivery of KPIs for the business.
• Manage the budgeting process to define spending plans, assess and report on their impact on cash flow.
• Manage and reduce costs.
• Ensure all appropriate financial controls exist across the business.
• Provide clear leadership and direction to the Finance team setting clear objectives and targets.
• Manage financial, operational and legal risk within the business.
• Manage tax and treasury for the business as appropriate.

Person Specification

• Experience of working with Private Equity/Venture Capital investors for at least one of those roles (desirable).
• A strong track record of supporting sustained growth in a start-up/SME environment.
• Experience working in the B2B Technology market and an understanding of what drives value in the space.
• A desire and capability to broaden the finance remit and actively engage across the business.
• Be hands on, flexible with a proactive drive to succeed.
• Have strong commercial acumen to be able to support the CEO in the running of the business.
• Possess strong communication and management skills to develop the broader team.

• Clear understanding of key business value drivers and excellent financial and management reporting skills.
• A strong operational understanding preferably within a technology focused service-based business.
• Solid technical accounting and tax skills.
• Good cash and treasury management skills.
• Demonstrable track record in the development and application of KPIs.
• Strong Financial Controller candidates looking for a first Head of/FD role will be considered.
• Experience gained in tech businesses is preferable.

Attributes

• Ability to lead and implement tactical initiatives on a ‘rolling up sleeves basis, and to grow into an enhanced strategic role as the company grows.
• Decisive and robust - able to take ownership and drive decision making.
• Commercial and practical but with an entrepreneurial streak.
• Strong communicator at all levels, a real team player – able to build productive and effective. working relationships with customers and the broader team.
• A good influencer and diplomat with high levels of emotional intelligence, able to build strong and productive working relationships with a broad variety of stakeholders.
• Committed and hard working, driven to succeed.
• Interest in working and dealing with entrepreneurial management teams and Private Equity investors.
• Strong hands on accounting and excel skills and ability to produce accounts from TB.
• Methodical and consistent performer.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent at presenting financial information concisely and effectively.
• Collaborative approach, pragmatic temperament and high attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Manage and deliver all finance activities assisted by one support staff.
• Report financial results and rolling forecast to the board of directors, together with a commentary on both past and forecast performance.
• Develop the financial function to help execute the company’s strategy as it goes through rapid growth.
• Manage cash position and predict impact of tactical decisions.
• Work closely with current investor.
• Ensure that the company complies with all legal and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain relations with external auditors and investigate their findings and recommendations.
• Assist in delivering the company's future direction and own tactical initiatives.
• Monitor the implementation of strategic business plans.
• Continue development of KPIs and monitoring systems to support the company's strategic direction