Full job descriptionHead of FinanceCoventry | £50,000–£60,000 per annum
Are you an experienced SME finance professional who enjoys taking ownership, leading a small team and rolling your sleeves up?
Macildowie is recruiting a Head of Finance for an established, privately owned, family-run SME in Coventry. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will lead a three-person accounts team, taking responsibility for financial reporting, day-to-day financial controls and oversight of payroll and HR administration.
This is a hands-on SME Head of Finance role. You will personally prepare accounts, complete VAT returns, investigate discrepancies and support the team with day-to-day activity. Alongside delivering accurate figures, you will help the Managing Director understand performance and identify opportunities to improve the business.
Finance responsibilities*Personally prepare monthly management accounts and reports, explaining performance, margins, expenditure, significant variances and financial risks.

*Prepare quarterly VAT returns, including supporting reconciliations, checks and timely submission.

*Lead month-end close, reviewing bank, supplier, customer, general ledger and control account reconciliations.

*Investigate discrepancies and ensure accounting records are complete and accurate.

*Oversee purchase and sales invoicing, transaction coding, journals, payment processing, bookkeeping and credit control, providing practical support when required.

*Monitor cash flow, overdue debts, supplier commitments and expenditure.

*Oversee weekly supplier payment preparation within agreed approval procedures.

*Prepare year-end schedules and work with external accountants on statutory accounts, corporation tax and other finance requirements.

*Maintain consistent financial reporting and controls across the businesses supported by the accounts department.


Team leadership, payroll and HR administration*Lead, support and develop the accounts team, clearly allocating responsibilities and checking the quality of work.

*Ensure continuity across key finance processes, providing hands-on cover where needed.

*Oversee weekly payroll, which is prepared and processed by a designated team member, checking accuracy, pensions, staff costs and associated reconciliations.

*Provide practical payroll cover when required.

*Oversee confidential personnel records and ensure employee information is accurate and maintained appropriately.

*Coordinate administration for new starters and leavers, holidays, sickness absence and employment paperwork.

*Work with departmental managers to support routine HR administration and keep documentation up to date. Recruitment decisions, disciplinary outcomes and changes to employment terms remain with authorised management.

About youYou will have proven hands-on experience producing management accounts and quarterly VAT returns, supported by strong reconciliation and financial control skills.
You will be comfortable supervising a small team while remaining personally involved in the detail. An organised, discreet and practical approach is essential, alongside the confidence to communicate with senior management and take ownership of issues through to resolution.
Strong Excel and accounting software skills are required, with Sage 50 Professional experience advantageous. Experience within an SME or family-run business would be particularly useful, as would exposure to payroll oversight and HR administration.
Relevant practical experience and capability are the key here, ACA/ACCA/CIMA Qualified or Qualified by experience candidates are encouraged to apply.
The opportunityThis role offers variety, ownership and direct access to the Managing Director. It would suit an experienced Finance Manager ready to take on a broader remit, or an existing Head of Finance who enjoys the practical involvement of an SME environment.
The core remit is finance leadership, supported by oversight of payroll and HR administration. Property maintenance, building compliance, contractor management, general IT and shop-floor operations are handled elsewhere in the business.