Head of Finance
Job Summary
We are hiring a Head of Finance to lead the entire finance function at Vertical Institute. This is a hands-on leadership role where you will own financial accuracy, cash discipline, claims recovery, controls, and reporting. You will lead the finance team and work closely with the CEO and General Manager on financial clarity and strategic decision-making.
Responsibilities
- Lead entire finance function and team
- Ensure financial accuracy and internal controls
- Manage cash flow and government claims
- Produce financial reporting and insights
- Oversee budgeting and forecasting
Required Skills
- 8-12+ years finance/accounting experience
- Professional accounting qualification (CA/CPA/ACCA)
- Strong team leadership capabilities
- Operational/Hands-on financial management
- Experience with government grants/claims
Job Details
Responsibilities:
1. Financial Accuracy & Discipline
- Ensure 100% accuracy and timeliness across payroll, vendor payments, instructor payments, and internal settlements.
- Close monthly accounts on time with clean reconciliations.
- Maintain strong internal controls and audit readiness.
2. Cash Flow & Claims Management
- Own end-to-end SkillsFuture and government claims tracking.
- Ensure strict claims and cash flow discipline.
- Implement a weekly claims follow-up cadence with clear escalation.
- Provide visibility on receivables, cash runway, and risk.
3. Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure full compliance with CPF, MOM requirements, contracts, and statutory obligations.
- Maintain and enforce finance SOPs and checklists.
- Proactively surface financial or compliance risks early.
4. Reporting & Decision Support
- Produce clear, decision-useful financial reports for CEO, GM, and Department heads.
- Translate numbers into insights, not just reports.
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and scenario planning.
5. Team Leadership & Capability Building
- Lead, coach, and develop the finance team.
- Set clear roles, standards, and accountability.
- Ensure work is properly tracked, closed, and documented.
- Reduce dependency on individuals through systems and processes.
Requirements:
Must-haves:
- Bachelor’s degree in Accountancy, Finance, or a related field, and/or a recognised professional qualification (e.g. ACCA, CA, CPA, or equivalent).
- 8–12+ years of experience in finance, accounting, or controllership roles.
- Prior experience leading a finance team.
- Strong operational discipline with proven ability to close loops and enforce controls.
- Comfortable operating in a fast-moving, execution-focused environment.
- Able to engage confidently with senior leadership and present financial insights clearly.
- Hands-on experience is essential; this role is not suitable for candidates who are purely advisory or non-operational.
Strong advantages:
- Experience with government grants or SkillsFuture-style claims.
- Experience in education, training, or regulated industries.
- Experience in high-volume transactional finance environments.
- Experience building or tightening finance processes in a growing company.