Job Description

Job type

: Part-time or full time

Location:

Hybrid or Remote

Job Purpose:

To lead Upperdog's finance function end-to-end, delivering clear, accurate and commercially focused financial reporting, forecasting and insight, while ensuring operational finance runs smoothly during a period of growth. This role combines strategic financial leadership with hands-on ownership of day-to-day processes.

Role Overview

Upperdog are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Finance to join our team. This is a broad and hands-on role where you will oversee all financial operations; from payroll, expenses and month-end processes through to forecasting, budgeting and strategic partnering with the Founder and SLT.

As our sole finance professional within Upperdog, you will be responsible for both high-level financial leadership and the day-to-day operations that keep the agency running smoothly. While the role includes hands-on finance duties, a core part of the remit is developing the financial structure, automation and reporting frameworks needed to support scalable and sustainable growth.

Central to the role is building the financial controls, forecasting models and commercial insight that guide our strategic decision-making as we continue to grow.

Experience in an agency or professional services environment is preferred.

Key Responsibilities

Day-to-day finance operations

Manage monthly payroll (currently supported by external providers)

Oversee staff expenses, credit cards and reimbursement processes

Maintain and reconcile Xero including bank accounts, journals and control accounts

Manage accounts payable and receivable processes, including debtor management

Produce timely invoicing and ensure accurate revenue recognition across projects and retainers

Maintain robust month-end files, reconciliations and documentation

Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement, including recommending additional finance support where needed as the agency continues to grow.

Financial management & reporting

Produce monthly management accounts with clear analysis and actionable insight

Prepare and present the monthly management pack for SLT, including KPIs, variances and recommendations

Ensure accuracy across income, costs, overhead allocations and profitability reporting

Strengthen and document financial controls as the agency scales

Forecasting, budgeting & planning

Lead the annual budgeting process

Build and maintain rolling forecasts across revenue, cost, cashflow and EBITDA

Run scenario planning to support growth, hiring and commercial decision making

Support long-term planning including 1-, 2- and 5-year financial models

Commercial analysis & performance optimisation

Analyse client and project profitability

Monitor utilisation and capacity across departments

Define hiring triggers based on financial and operational indicators

Partner with SLT to improve margin, pricing and performance visibility

Cashflow, controls & compliance

Build and maintain weekly and monthly cashflow models

Monitor working capital, debtor days and payment terms

Strengthen internal controls and ensure audit readiness

Liaise with external accountants for statutory accounts, VAT and compliance

Systems, tools & process development

Improve reporting and financial visibility using Xero, Synergist or similar systems

Implement scalable processes and automation to reduce manual data handling

Create documentation for all finance processes and reporting cycles

Business partnering

Act as a trusted adviser to the Founder and SLT

Translate financial data into clear recommendations for non-finance stakeholders

Support department leads with KPI setting and performance reviews

Contribute to SLT meetings with data-driven insight

Requirements

Experience as a Head of Finance, Finance Manager, Financial Controller or Finance Business Partner

Strong background in an agency or professional services environment (highly preferred)

Fully qualified accountant (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) or equivalent advanced experience

Strong financial modelling skills and high-level Excel competence

Experience producing management accounts and SLT-ready reporting packs

Ability to handle both senior strategic work and hands-on transactional finance

Confident communicator, able to simplify complex information for non-finance stakeholders

Highly organised, detail-focused and proactive in improving systems and processes

What would set you apart from other candidates?

Previous experience as the

sole finance person

in a growing business

Strong working knowledge of agency operations, billing models and profitability analysis

Experience using

Synergist

or having set up similar agency systems such as Productive, Paprika, WorkflowMax or Harvest

Practical experience implementing Xero improvements or financial automation tools

Evidence of building forecasting models, dashboards or KPI frameworks

Experience working through restructures, integrations or periods of rapid growth

Ability to quickly diagnose financial issues and design clear, structured solutions

A passion for operations and commercial performance

What benefits can Upperdog offer you?

Hybrid or WF

30 days of paid annual leave from day one, plus Bank Holidays

Private healthcare - including diagnostics, therapies and mental health support

Annual learning and development allowance

Gym membership or subsidised parking

Referral bonuses for new hires and new clients

Monthly team lunches

Quarterly team activities

Dog friendly office

Regular 1-1s

Pension scheme

Central Bournemouth office, close to shops, cafes and the beach

Salary:

Dependent on candidate experience

To apply, please email your CV and a short introduction. You will receive a response within 28 days confirming whether you have been selected for interview. Please no recruitment agencies.

Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

Licence/Certification:

qualification (ACCA/ACA/CIMA) or equivalent (required)
Work Location: Hybrid remote in Bournemouth BH2 5BD