Finance Director - Kent location

Empirical Search
in Tonbridge, England, United Kingdom

Permanent, Full time

Up to £110k basic

A well-known corporate bank based in Tonbridge, Kent, have appointed us exclusively to run the search for their new Finance Director. The role will manage a team of 16 FTE’s and have prescribed responsibility for managing the firm’s financial resources.

Role Description

• Lead the bank’s development of its financial strategy, providing sound financial advice to Board directors, the Chief Executive and other senior management colleagues. Contribute to the preparation of the bank’s strategic plans
• Work closely with the Chief Executive and other senior colleagues as part of the leadership team and as a member of the Executive Committee. Support the Chief Executive on the bank’s relationship with current and prospective investors
• Oversee the preparation of the annual budget and forecasts. Ensure the appropriateness of the key assumptions included in the bank’s financial plans and annual budget proposals. Provide advice to senior management colleagues and directors on these matters
• Ensure that an appropriate financial policy framework is in place to guide the bank’s financial decision-making
• Lead the financial management of the bank, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in its fulfilment of its functions. Ensure accounting records comply with current legal, regulatory and tax requirements and applicable accounting standards, and plan effectively for changes in applicable requirements or standards
• Take the lead on financial matters between management and the Board of Directors and its related committees, supporting the Chief Executive accordingly. Advise the Board and senior colleagues on major financial issues and the likely financial consequences and risks of proposed courses of action
• Contribute effectively on behalf of the finance function to the bank’s risk management and internal control systems and management of enterprise risk. Develop financial management mechanisms that minimise financial and related operational risks with well-designed and appropriate controls
• Ensure any potential weaknesses in the system of internal control in relation to the finance function that have been identified by Internal Audit are addressed and any resulting recommendations implemented promptly
• Oversee the preparation of the statutory annual accounts and ensure appropriate arrangements are in place for the annual external audit process
• Oversee the bank’s capital monitoring and forecasting processes, providing accurate and timely information on the bank’s capital position
• Lead on oversight of the management of the bank’s investment portfolio, which is outsourced to an external manager. Lead on cash flow management and ensure arrangements for the management of market and liquidity risks are in place and operating effectively
• Lead on the analysis of the bank’s exposure to treasury risks including interest rate risk and their mitigation
• Ensure all accounting, financial, legal and tax regulatory requirements are met in relation to the PRA, the FCA, the Bank of England and Companies House. Ensure appropriate arrangements are in place to deliver key regulatory documents including the Internal Capital Adequacy Assessment Process (ICAAP); the Contingency Funding Plan (CFP); the Recovery & Resolution Plan (RRP); the Internal Liquidity Adequacy Assessment Process (ILAAP); and the Pillar 3 report
• Lead the management of the bank’s deposit strategy and related actions and oversee the activities of the savings team
• Ensure appropriate cost control disciplines are implemented and adhered to
• Monitor and provide recommendations on effective revenue and pricing strategies for the bank’s lending and deposit-taking strategies
• Ensure that effective mechanisms to measure both the inputs, and the outcomes of the bank’s operations, are in place with supporting management information and key performance indicators
• Provide accounting services for use by managers in planning and controlling the work of the bank, including financial accounting, management accounting, forecasting, budgeting and control systems
• Plan and manage the bank’s tax liabilities under existing and proposed legislation. Evaluate the tax liability impact of contemplated courses of action, minimise the tax burden and deal with tax authorities
• Lead the finance team, providing strategic direction to their work and providing coaching, mentoring and support for their ongoing development
• Ensure arrangements are in place to manage external relationships with auditors, the PRA and HM Inland Revenue as required

Role Requirements

• Qualified accountant (Ideally ACA, ACCA)
• Development and implementation of financial strategy within a PRA/FCA-regulated environment in a leadership controller/director position
• Experience with PRA reporting
• Leading finance teams and delivering high quality financial support, information and advice to other business departments
• Project implementation and management
• Managing financial operations
• Issue of accounting and financial reports and management information and the design of key performance indicators and other measures
• Able to demonstrate a tenacity and drive to progress and develop role
• Strong commercial acumen
• Strategic thinker with an ability to deal with changes and potential restructures
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Flexibility and adaptability in juggling a range of different tasks and willingness to work extra hours to meet deadlines
• Excellent financial modelling and forecasting skills; comfortable working with databases and using technology to produce high quality management information