Finance & Operations Director

Ross Wallace Image

Ross Wallace

Executive Consultant
Interim & Transformation

Ross Wallace
  • Location: Barnsley
  • Salary: £80,000 - £90,000
  • Job Type: Interim
  • Job Role: Full Time
  • Posted: 01 July 2026
Applications end: 31 July 2026

Finance & Operations Director

Become the driving force behind the next chapter of a highly respected independent accountancy practice.

This is a rare opportunity to become the right-hand person to the Partner group, helping shape the future of a business that has been part of the local community for more than 100 years.

We’re partnering with a long-established, independent accountancy practice that has grown significantly in recent years and is now looking to appoint its first Finance & Operations Director.

The business is successful, profitable, and ambitious, but with growth has come complexity. They need someone who can bring greater structure, accountability, and operational discipline across the firm while helping modernise systems and processes.

This isn’t a role where you’ll simply keep the lights on. It’s an opportunity to leave a lasting mark on an established business and play a key role in what comes next.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Partner group, you’ll lead both the finance and operational functions of the practice, acting as a key sounding board and trusted advisor to the senior leadership team.

Finance Leadership

  • Lead the internal finance function
  • Oversee management accounts, KPIs, statutory accounts, and cashflow
  • Manage banking, payroll, invoicing, WIP, and debtor management
  • Improve financial reporting, controls, and processes
  • Support credit control and client accounts where required

Operations & People

  • Build greater structure and accountability across the business
  • Improve reporting, performance management, and training processes
  • Drive commercial thinking throughout the firm
  • Lead and develop five direct reports across operations, IT, HR, and administration

Systems & Transformation

  • Review and improve systems and processes across the practice
  • Drive technology adoption and digital efficiencies
  • Lead systems implementations and process improvements
  • Support the transition to new systems and explore opportunities around automation and AI

Strategic Development

  • Help modernise and future-proof the business
  • Support the continued growth of existing service lines
  • Identify new opportunities and drive continuous improvement
  • Help prepare the business for industry change and regulatory developments
  • Provide strategic support to a growing financial planning division

What They’re Looking For

This role would suit someone who enjoys bringing order to complexity and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo.

You’ll likely have:

  • A strong leadership presence
  • Experience driving change and implementing structure
  • Excellent stakeholder management skills
  • The confidence to have difficult conversations and hold people accountable
  • A hands-on approach and willingness to roll your sleeves up
  • Experience improving systems, processes, and operational performance

Candidates from the following backgrounds would be particularly interesting:

  • Accountancy practice
  • Financial planning
  • Other regulated environments

Systems implementation and technology project experience would be highly advantageous.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to join a business that genuinely cares about its people and has no interest in following the industry’s consolidation trend.

  • Shape the future direction of an established and respected firm
  • Become a trusted advisor to the Partner group
  • High-profile role with genuine influence
  • Significant opportunity to improve processes, systems, and strategy
  • Independent business with a long-term outlook
  • Supportive, family-first culture where people are genuinely looked after
  • Beautiful refurbished offices with free parking
  • Flexible and hybrid working
  • Extensive wellbeing and benefits package
  • Strong investment in professional development
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