This specialist sporting retailer has grown into a national, multi-channel retail platform operating a predominantly franchised, owner-operator network of 50 stores nationally, with a clear strategy to expand beyond 60 locations over the medium term.

Reporting directly to the CEO, the Head of Finance will lead a small team and take responsibility for the integrity, accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting across multiple entities. The role carries ownership of the monthly close, consolidated reporting, Board and management reporting, balance sheet control, cash flow, budgets and rolling forecasts.

A key part of the role is actively managing the outsourced accounting provider. The Head of Finance will establish clear standards, close timetables and accountabilities, review work for accuracy and completeness, resolve recurring issues and ensure appropriate financial controls remain in place.

The role will also support improvements to financial systems and processes, including fuller adoption of MS Business Central, reducing unnecessary manual activity and improving the accuracy, consistency and timeliness of reporting. Working closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, the Head of Finance will provide financial analysis and commercial insight to support decision-making, with appropriate financial oversight across company-owned stores, operating subsidiaries and franchise-related transactions.

The successful candidate will be CA or CPA qualified, with strong technical accounting capability, demonstrated multi-entity accounting and consolidation experience,



and a disciplined approach to month-end and balance sheet control. This is a genuine step-up opportunity for a Financial Controller, or a Finance Manager already operating at that level.

Core Accountabilities:

- Own the monthly financial close and consolidated reporting across multiple entities.
- Produce accurate and timely management and Board reporting, including clear analysis of financial performance and material variances.
- Maintain strong balance sheet control, including reconciliations, intercompany balances and transactions.
- Maintain visibility of cash flow, working capital, budgets and rolling forecasts.
- Manage the outsourced provider, setting transparent standards, workflows, timetables and accountabilities.
- Drive improved use of MS Business Central and related finance systems, simplifying processes.
- Improve the accuracy, timeliness and consistency of financial reporting.
- Partner closely with the CEO and senior leadership team, providing financial analysis and commercial insight to support decision-making.
- Provide appropriate financial oversight across company-owned stores, operating subsidiaries and franchise-related transactions.

About You:

- CA or CPA qualified,



with strong technical accounting capability and current knowledge of statutory and tax obligations.
- Experience within retail, franchise, multi-site, wholesale or consumer-facing businesses.
- Experience as a Financial Controller, or as a Finance Manager operating at that level and ready to step up.
- Demonstrated multi-entity accounting and consolidation experience, including intercompany balances, eliminations and consolidated reporting.
- Strong balance sheet control, including reconciliations, controls and disciplined month-end processes.
- Demonstrated ownership of monthly financial close processes.
- Experience producing accurate and timely management and Board reporting.
- Ability to analyse financial performance and clearly explain material variances to non-finance stakeholders.
- Budgeting, rolling forecasting, cash flow forecasting and working capital management experience.
- Experience coordinating statutory accounts, tax, BAS and audit requirements with external advisers.
- Demonstrated experience improving financial processes, reporting quality or month-end efficiency.

CA or CPA qualification, multi-entity consolidation experience and demonstrated ownership of the monthly close are essential. If the prospect of stepping up to be the Head of Finance in a high-growth branded sporting retailer holds genuine appeal, and your experience and industry alignment is commensurate with the above, please submit your application and we will respond to arrange a confidential discussion.

📌 Head of Finance | National Sporting Retailer (City of Bayside)
🏢 Yorkshire Bridge
📍 City of Bayside