Financial Controller

Head of Finance (Financial Controller)

Location: United Kingdom (Hybrid) Salary: £65,000 + £20,000

performance-based bonus

Benefits: 25 days' holiday, comprehensive healthcare, professional development

About Our Client Magpie Recruitment is partnering with a leading luxury travel company that specialises in highly curated VIP experiences across the UK, Ireland, Paris, and Normandy. They deliver bespoke, once-in-a-lifetime itineraries-from exclusive estate tours to behind-the-scenes cultural access-backed by exceptional service and deep local expertise.

Why This Role Is Exceptional

• Strategic Visibility: Report directly to the Owner, with immediate influence on financial strategy and business growth.
• Immediate Impact:
• First Six Months: Refine core accounting processes, ensure flawless Xero-Salesforce integration, and elevate management reporting.
• Year Two: Lead technology and efficiency initiatives-implement new tools to streamline operations and maximize profitability.
• Career Progression: Shape the finance function from a small, high-performing team to a scalable operation, with potential to evolve into a CFO-style role.
• Competitive Package: Solid base salary plus a consistently paid £20k bonus, plus 25 days' holiday and healthcare.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and mentor a lean finance team, fostering accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Conduct performance reviews, training, and ensure day-to-day financial operations run smoothly.
• Collaborate with the Owner on commercial decisions, providing data-driven insights.

Financial Strategy & Planning

• Develop and execute financial strategies aligned with short- and long-term company objectives.
• Own budgeting and forecasting-partner with senior leaders to set targets and resource allocations.
• Present clear, actionable financial forecasts and risk analyses to the Owner.

Reporting & Analysis

• Prepare accurate monthly management accounts: P&Ls, balance sheets, and cash-flow statements.
• Ensure seamless reconciliation between Xero accounting records and Salesforce sales data.
• Deliver insightful reports on sales performance, commission structures, and cash-flow projections.

Compliance & Governance

• Oversee statutory reporting and corporate governance-ensure all filings (including VAT under the TOMS scheme) are timely and accurate.
• Maintain robust internal controls, data protection, and GDPR compliance.
• Manage interactions with external auditors, HMRC, and banking partners.

Operational Finance & Cash Management

• Lead all banking relationships and daily cash-flow management.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities, resolve general ledger discrepancies, and manage payroll journals.
• Oversee AP/AR processes: reconcile control accounts, monitor debtors, and resolve supplier queries.

What We're Looking For:

Sector Expertise:

• Experienced in a senior finance/accounting role (e.g., Head of Finance, Finance Director, Financial Controller or Finance Manager) within travel, hospitality, or luxury services.

Professional Qualifications:

• Part-qualified or fully qualified (ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent).

Technical Proficiency:

• Deep hands-on experience with Xero (cloud accounting) and strong Excel skills.
• Working knowledge of Salesforce data reconciliation or similar CRM-accounting integration is highly desirable.

Commercial Acumen:

• Proven understanding of profit margins, VAT (including TOMS), tax planning, and cash-flow management in a seasonal environment.

Leadership & Communication:

• Experienced in managing a small finance team, conducting reviews and training.
• Excellent verbal and written communication-able to produce professional reports and present to senior stakeholders.

Personal Attributes:

• Solutions-focused, proactive, and able to operate with high integrity and discretion.
• Collaborative mindset-comfortable liaising with Operations, Sales, Marketing, and external advisors.

Desirable (but not essential):

• Experience working with Virtuoso travel agents or similar high-end networks.
• Hands-on familiarity with Tour Operators Margin Scheme (TOMS) and foreign-exchange risk management.