About the Shaw Gibbs Group

Oxford

Shaw Gibbs is a growing top 40 accountancy practice who provide expert solutions for entrepreneurial businesses and private individuals in Central and Southern England. Shaw Gibbs invest in their teams of high-quality specialists who work with best-in-breed technology to create value for our clients which exceeds expectation. 

Our culture is very important to us and is based on our company values of expert, respectful, innovative and collaborative. We develop high performing teams diverse in experiences, backgrounds and ideas. As a growing company, there are plenty of opportunities for development and quick progression. Our practice is known for having a friendly and supportive team culture where everyone receives training and development to increase their technical knowledge and their commercial and management skills. We put our people first and are constantly looking for ways to improve our people experience. With respectful as one of our values, we are committed to creating an inclusive culture that respects, values and celebrates cultural and individual differences.

We have several offices in Central and Southern England and have ambitious plans to expand our business. To support the organisation’s growth, we have created a new opportunity for a Head of Financial Planning and Analysis to join our central finance team in Oxford. This is a permanent full-time role with hybrid and flexible working options. 

Position Overview

We are seeking a strategic and results-oriented Head of Financial Planning and Analysis (FP&A) to lead and manage the financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and analysis functions across Shaw Gibbs reporting to the Chief Financial Officer. 
As the Head of FP&A, you will work closely with the senior leadership team and departmental heads to provide actionable financial insights, drive business performance, and support key decision-making processes.

This is a critical leadership role responsible for overseeing the company’s financial strategy and ensuring that financial plans align with overall business objectives. The ideal candidate will be an experienced finance professional with strong leadership skills, a deep understanding of financial modeling, and the ability to turn complex data into strategic insights.

The Role

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Financial Planning & Strategy
  • Lead the development and execution of the company’s annual financial plans, budgets, and forecasts in collaboration with senior leadership.
  • Provide strategic financial insights and recommendations to support business objectives and growth initiatives.
  • Establish and manage long-term financial projections and models to support decision-making.
• Financial Reporting & Analysis
  • Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with company goals.
  • Analyse financial performance, identifying trends, risks, and opportunities; and present findings to the executive team.
  • Provide variance analysis of actuals vs. budget and forecast, explaining key drivers and recommending corrective actions.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration
  • Partner with department heads to drive financial performance, aligning departmental budgets with overall company goals.
  • Support M&A activities, capital investment analysis, and cost optimisation initiatives.
  • Work closely with the Chief Financial Officer to present the financial health and outlook of the business to stakeholders, including investors and board members.
• Team Leadership & Development
  • Lead, mentor, and develop the FP&A team, fostering a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement, and high performance.
  • Drive the development of FP&A best practices and ensure the team is using advanced financial tools and technologies.
• Process Improvement & Automation
  • Continuously assess and improve the FP&A processes, including budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting, to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
  • Implement and leverage financial systems and automation tools to streamline workflows and improve data accuracy.

What We Can Offer You

• Hybrid working after successful completion of your probationary period (three days in the office and two days at home)
• Flexible working (flexing your hours around the core working hours of 10am to 4pm)
• Joining a fast growing company with exciting growth plans ahead
• Plenty of opportunity to increase your technical knowledge and skills
• A varied role within a talented and experienced team
• ERIC internal recognition awards – monthly recognition awards that celebrate those who champion the Shaw Gibbs values 
• Regular employee events including a company-wide summer party
• A competitive benefits package, including:
  • A 25-day core holiday allowance plus other holiday-related benefits, such as: Holiday trading (the ability to buy or sell up to 5 days holiday per year), flexible bank holidays (the ability to flex your bank holidays to a day that suits you best) and additional holiday with service
  • A dedicated “Wellbeing Day” – an additional day off per year to focus on your wellbeing
  • Employee Assistant Programme (EAP) which includes access to 24/7 online GP consultations, 2^nd medical opinions, online counselling, and mental health first aiders present in every office
  • Shaw Gibbs Rewards – access to discounts on a wide range of retailers
  • Health Cash Plan – money back on routine health appointments
  • Electric Vehicles Salary Sacrifice Scheme
  • Pension Salary Sacrifice Scheme
  • Cycle to Work Scheme
  • Enhanced maternity leave
  • Client and employee referral bonuses
  • Death in Service Life Assurance
  • Bus pass discounts and loans
  • Gym membership discounts

About You

• Professional accounting qualification and evidence of continuous professional development.
• Strong decision support and FP&A background ideally in a private equity backed business.
• Strong finance system skills including Excel and using and developing reporting tools.
• Super organised, able to juggle multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Able to prioritise workload effectively and work in a flexible manner.
• High attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Enjoys a fast paced work environment.
• A self-starter with a with a high level of resilience.
• Demonstrates a strong team spirit but also very effective working independently.
• A positive “can do” attitude with a strong desire to learn and develop.

How to Apply

To apply for this vacancy, please click on the ‘Apply for this job’ button at the bottom of the page.

About us

Shaw Gibbs is an inclusive employer and we are committed to providing equal opportunities to all candidates by ensuring a comfortable and accessible interview experience. We understand that some individuals may have specific needs or require accommodation/adjustments during the recruitment process. If you require any adjustments to ensure your recruitment experience with Shaw Gibbs is as inclusive and accessible as possible, please let us know at your earliest convenience via email.

We believe that diversity makes Shaw Gibbs a stronger firm and we look to employ people with different ideas, styles and skillsets. This diversity stimulates a rich, creative environment – one in which our people develop, and our clients enjoy enduring results. We’re committed to recruiting, promoting and rewarding our people solely based on their ability to contribute to Shaw Gibbs’ goals, without regard to their sex, gender, race, disability, religion, national origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation, age or marital status.