Head of Finance (Vesta EUROPE)

Full Job Description

The Vesta Software Group acquires, manages, and builds software companies in a variety of vertical markets, enabling them to be clear leaders in their industries. Our companies provide mission-critical enterprise solutions for vertical industries across the entire industry value chain.

Being a portfolio group of Jonas Software (within Constellation Software Inc.), the Vesta Software Group is all about strengthening businesses within the markets in which we compete and enabling them to grow – whether through organic measures such as new initiatives and product development, day-to-day business, or through acquisitions.

POSITION:

As a result of expansion into Europe we are seeking a dedicated Finance professional to join our team on a full-time basis in the role of Head of Finance (EUROPE). The successful candidate will be an integral part of the finance team (Vesta) in a high growth organisation and will be responsible for building our European Finance Function. This will include recruiting and leading personnel, adapting and implementing systems and installing and enhancing processes across the finance function within the Vesta European Portfolio.

Reporting into the Chief Operations Officer (COO), you will be responsible for the management and strategic direction of the European finance operation to ensure the delivery of accounting information within a high-performance culture. Vesta operates in a casual working environment and promotes both team and individual growth.  

This role is based in the Central European Region, but Vesta operates across multiple geographical locations and may acquire across countries throughout Europe. Therefore, the role will require travel to across Europe (and beyond).

You will be responsible for ensuring the integrity of all financial information and reporting as well as working closely with the Heads of Business across the European portfolio where expansion via various acquisitions is expected.

You will deal with commercial areas including planning, forecasting and analysis, customer relationships and issues as they relate to commercial interest of the business units. 

This is a fantastic opportunity to progress and begin a career within a rapid expansion software portfolio.

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

Build, manage and motivate staff:

• Build a plan in line with the Mergers and Acquisition Team’s pipeline of acquisition targets across the region to align the finance department geographically against the expected growth.

• Continuously analyse and review the most efficient staffing / function structure to meet the demands of the continuously growing portfolio. Create an environment that motivates employees ensuring they are fully aware of what is expected of them and regularly review performance with direct reports, resolving any issues and providing constant guidance.

• Lead on the selection, management, development and motivation of your team and the wider organisation as applicable.

• Uphold and enforce an environment of ethical practices.

• Continue to build a finance team that promotes innovation and automation to control costs as we grow whilst also ensuring growth and development of key staff members.

• Ultimately responsible for the end-to-end process for financial transactions including billing, accounts payable, cash allocation, credit control and management accounting.

Develop and deliver the financial plans and reporting:

• Deliver pro-active and professional financial strategy support to the senior managers within the organisation.

• Oversee monthly management accounts for the business units, quarterly rolling forecasts and annual statutory accounts. Review balance sheet accounts and month end processes on a monthly basis.

• Manage the financial analyst(s) to produce timely and reliable management information on a monthly basis to tight deadlines.

• Support the business heads with the Group’s Quarterly Strategic Review process, budgeting, pricing, planning and general commercial direction.

• Drive improvement of working capital management throughout the business

Anticipate business requirements, trends and variances:

• Develop action plans to measure and analyse financial results.

• Review business performance against forecasts and budgets, assist the senior management team with corrective action.

Improve operational finance practices:

• Create and implement processes to drive sustainable improvements in the efficiency of business processes, through automation and process improvement over unnecessary headcount increases.

• Evaluate operational systems and staffing levels, address inefficiencies and develop and recommend policies and procedures to ensure organisational effectiveness.

Support Acquisition Activity:

• Assist in preparation of Purchase Price Accounting for new deals.

• Lead the financial Integration process and support delivery of investment objectives.

• Assist in the valuation, planning and deal negotiation as applicable and required.

Statutory, Compliance and Tax:

• Analysing and communicating financial results.

• Along with the CEO and COO, certify quarterly financial statements and internal control compliance checklists for submission to Jonas Head Office

• Prepare and/or review quarterly tax packs and provisions.

• Liaise with Jonas Head Office to meet all routine and ad-hoc reporting requirements and ensure IFRS is adopted throughout.

• Responsible for the preparation of periodic financial statements and supporting schedules, together with variance analyses, tax computations and cash flow forecasts. Including working with external auditors to ensure filing on time.

• Support the Portfolio Controller to ensure compliance with all statutory and taxation matters, including Payroll Taxes, Local Taxes, Corporation Tax and VAT

• Ensure the team efficiently maintain company secretarial records and filings.

• Assist the Portfolio Tax Manager with tax planning across the Vesta Portfolio

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE

• Proven experience at a Senior Manager/Director level in a finance environment

• CIMA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent geographical accounting qualification.

• Ability to lead a finance function (preferably in a high growth / constant change environment) and build a culture of commitment, professionalism and success as well as being an enjoyable place to work.

• Exposure to Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) is desirable.

• Strong commercial acumen and financial analysis skills.

• Highly computer literate, with reference to accounting and management software and their application in a project-based, software engineering environment

• People management, leadership and mentoring skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.

• Project management skills.

• Strong Excel modelling, data interrogation and reconciliation skills.

• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills

• Knowledge of IFRS (International Financial Reporting Standards)

• Experience in software or high-tech industry is an asset.

• Multilingual is preferable and excellent verbal and written grasp of the English language is a must.

PERSONAL CHARACTERISTICS

• Excellent communication, interpersonal and team building skills, comfortable interacting and motivating personnel at all levels of the organisation.

• Strong analytical skills, with a good command of detail.

• People oriented with excellent client facing skills.

• Ability to influence the decisions of senior business leaders through effective verbal and written communication, logical reasoning, and the presentation of alternatives.

• The ability to self-motivate and work to tight deadlines, under pressure to produce accurate and complete results.

• Ability to manage a team to produce timely and reliable management information reports in accordance with deadlines.

• Ability to take the lead on various projects, including new acquisition integrations and business process improvements which will involve liaising with personnel from non-financial backgrounds.

• Personable with the ability to promote and maintain excellent communications between respective sites and divisions.

• Self-motivated with high energy levels, able to instigate and manage change and growth.

• To be successful in the role you will also need a high degree of personal initiative and the ability to interact with non-financial managers and employees at all levels.

• As part of a global Company, the jobholder may be required to work unsociable hours across time zones to meet contractual and business demands and have flexibility to travel occasionally as and if required.

Jonas Software is the leading provider of enterprise management software solutions to the Country and Golf Clubs, Foodservice, Construction, Fitness & Sports, Attractions, Salon & Spa, Education, Radiology/Laboratory Information Systems, and Product Licensing industries. Within these vertical markets, Jonas is made up of over 65 distinct brands, which are respected and leaders within their own domain.

Jonas’ vision is to be the branded global leader across the aforementioned vertical markets and to be recognized by customers and respective industry stakeholders as the trusted provider of ‘Software for Life’ and as an ambassador for technology, product innovation, quality, and customer service.

Jonas Software is the valued technology partner of over 60,000 customers worldwide in more than 30 countries. Jonas employs over 2,000 skilled individuals consisting of a cross-section of industry experts and technology professionals.  Jonas is headquartered in Canada and also operates offices throughout North America, the United Kingdom, Europe, Australia New Zealand and Africa.  Jonas is a 100% owned subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc., headquartered in Toronto and traded on the S&P/TSX 60.