Head of Finance Job Description, Role, and Responsibilities
A head of finance, or chief financial officer (CFO), is a critical senior leadership role tasked with overseeing the financial operations and strategy of a company. This pivotal position requires a unique blend of financial acumen, business expertise, and leadership capabilities.
Head of Finance Job Description
- The head of finance is the highest-ranking financial executive, reporting directly to the CEO
- They oversee all aspects of financial management including accounting, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management
- A strategic role, the CFO helps guide major initiatives and advises the executive team on financial matters
- Leads and manages the finance team, establishes department goals and objectives
Key Duties and Responsibilities
- Financial Planning and Analysis
- Develop financial plans and budgets
- Perform financial forecasting and modeling
- Conduct variance and cost-benefit analysis
- Guide business decisions and strategy with financial insight
- Accounting and Reporting
- Oversee preparation of financial statements
- Ensure timely and accurate regulatory reporting
- Lead financial audits and implement internal controls
- Monitor financial performance with KPIs and metrics
- Risk Management
- Identify and mitigate organizational risks
- Implement policies for financial safeguards and risk reduction
- Oversee insurance coverage
- Manage credit and liquidity risk
- Treasury and Capital Management
- Direct cash management and oversee banking relationships
- Execute capital-raising strategies
- Manage debt financing and equity investments
- Oversee mergers, acquisitions, and investments
- Compliance and Controls
- Ensure compliance with accounting standards and regulations
- Establish and maintain internal controls
- Oversee implementation of financial systems and IT infrastructure
- Set policies around financial procedures and governance
- Strategic Leadership
- Participate in high-level decisions as a key member of the executive team
- Partner with business leaders on initiatives with financial implications
- Identify opportunities for organizational growth and improvement
Requirements and Qualifications
To be an effective head of finance requires specialized education, extensive experience, technical skills, and leadership capabilities:
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, or business; Master’s degree or MBA preferred; CPA license ideal
- Experience: At least 10+ years in senior finance positions with increasing responsibility
- Accounting and Technical Expertise: Thorough knowledge of accounting principles, financial analysis, budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting
- Leadership: Experience managing finance teams and overseeing departmental operations
- Communication Skills: Ability to communicate complex financial information clearly and persuasively
- Strategic Thinking: Business acumen with the ability to see the big picture and make data-driven strategic recommendations
- Technology Skills: Proficiency with financial management software, databases, and data analysis tools
- Ethics: Commitment to integrity, transparency, compliance and building trust
Performing as a head of finance requires wearing many hats – leader, strategist, analyst, and communicator. It’s a role central to guiding the financial health and strategy of any company.
Head of Finance Job Description Template
We are seeking a strategic, results-driven Head of Finance to oversee the financial operations of our company. The Head of Finance will be responsible for managing accounting, budgeting, financial reporting and analysis, risk management, and developing financial business plans.
Role and Responsibilities
- Develop and implement financial and accounting strategies, policies, and procedures
- Prepare short-term and long-term financial plans and budgets
- Lead the preparation of accurate financial statements and reports
- Complete balance sheet reconciliation and overhead allocation
- Manage the preparation of regulatory reporting materials (10-K, 10-Q, etc.)
- Lead financial audits and work with external auditors
- Analyze financial data and create reports, projections and dashboards to provide insights and metrics to executive leadership
- Identify financial risks and opportunities and advise on mitigation strategies
- Direct treasury activities including cash management, debt financing, and capital raising
- Manage relationships with financial institutions and investors
- Assess operational performance and highlight variances between actual and budgeted results
- Oversee acquisition valuation analysis and due diligence
- Implement strong internal controls and financial procedures
- Guide process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiency
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Accounting or related field; MBA or CPA strongly preferred
- 10+ years experience in a senior finance leadership role
- Expert knowledge of GAAP and financial regulations
- Demonstrated success in financial planning, analysis and reporting
- Strong leadership, communication, presentation and relationship-building skills
- Strategic mindset with the ability to drive organizational alignment
As Head of Finance, you will lead the financial operations of the company and provide strategic recommendations to guide profitable growth. You will oversee accounting, reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and risk management activities. Advanced financial acumen paired with leadership skills make you an ideal candidate for this critical executive position.
Interested in applying for our Head of Finance position? Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this critical leadership role:
What are the core responsibilities of your Head of Finance?
The Head of Finance oversees all financial operations including accounting, reporting, planning and analysis, risk management, and strategic direction. Key responsibilities include financial statement preparation, budgeting, forecasting, managing capital and liquidity, and advising the executive team.
What are the day-to-day duties of the Head of Finance?
Daily duties include reviewing financial reports, monitoring cash flow, analyzing variances, reviewing departmental budgets, meeting with the accounting team, connecting with department heads, and handling high-level finance projects and initiatives. The role oversees the preparation of all regulatory reporting.
What skills and experience should the Head of Finance possess?
We are looking for 10+ years of finance experience including prior leadership roles. Key requirements include an MBA or CPA, expertise in GAAP, budget management skills, financial analysis skills, and strategic thinking. Strong communication skills are also vital.
What is the Head of Finance’s role in strategy and growth?
The Head of Finance takes a big-picture view and provides financial guidance on major corporate initiatives, investments, and growth opportunities. This individual will analyze M&A deals, vet potential partners, value investments, and assess expansion opportunities.
How does the role interact with the CEO and Board?
As a key member of the executive team, the Head of Finance will work closely with the CEO on strategy and lead the preparation of financial reports for the Board. This role also makes recommendations on financial matters to both groups.
What makes someone successful as your Head of Finance?
We are looking for a true financial leader – someone who can manage a team, communicate complex financial data, and balance tactical details with big picture thinking. The ideal candidate will partner with our business leaders and influence outcomes.