Group Director of Finance

The Group Director of Finance is tasked with several essential responsibilities, including overseeing the monthly close processes for portfolio businesses, preparing internal financial reports and statements, and supporting merger and acquisition due diligence. This role requires attention to detail and strong communication skills to ensure effective collaboration across various teams, including those in our Pennsylvania and Toronto offices.

Candidates for the Group Director of Finance role should have at least a BS/BA in accounting or finance, along with a minimum of six years of experience in finance, including management-level experience. A Certified Public Accountant designation is preferred, and experience in public accounting audit and within the software industry is highly beneficial.

The Group Director of Finance plays a crucial role in the company’s growth strategy by managing financial forecasting, budgeting, and analysis. This position directly supports the M&A due diligence process and ensures smooth business integrations, which are vital for maintaining and accelerating the company’s growth through acquisitions.

A solid understanding of IFRS 15 and 16 is vital for the Group Director of Finance to ensure compliance and effective financial practices. This knowledge is critical for those involved in managing both revenue recognition and lease accounting, which play a significant role in our financial reporting.

Success as the Group Director of Finance hinges on several key skills, including strong process improvement abilities, excellent organizational and interpersonal skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. Familiarity with financial statement preparation and advanced Excel proficiency are also essential to excel in this position.

When answering this question, consider sharing specific examples of how you've managed forecasting and budgeting in past roles. Highlight any tools or methodologies you used and discuss how your efforts positively impacted the organization’s financial performance.

When responding, explain how you ensure coordination among team members, how you prioritize tasks, and how you maintain standards for accuracy and compliance. Providing an example of a past successful close will strengthen your answer.

Detail your process for conducting variance analysis, emphasizing its importance in understanding business performance against forecasts. Share an instance where your analysis led to actionable insights or changes in strategy.

Discuss the methods you've implemented in the past to ensure compliance with internal controls, including monitoring processes and performing regular audits. Providing examples of improvements you've made can strengthen your answer.

Choose a specific initiative that showcases your ability to innovate and enhance processes. Be sure to describe the challenge you faced, the solution you devised, and the measurable results you achieved.

Mention any professional organizations, courses, conferences, or publications you follow to keep abreast of changes in accounting standards. This shows your commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Reflect on specific M&A experiences you've been involved in, detailing your role in the due diligence process and how you helped facilitate the integration of newly acquired businesses.

Select a challenging situation and describe how you approached the problem, the steps you took to resolve it, and the outcome. This illustrates your problem-solving skills and resilience under pressure.

Share insights into your leadership style by providing an honest reflection of how you've managed teams and fostered a collaborative work environment. Mention feedback you've received from peers or subordinates to support your claims.

List the financial software and tools you have used in previous roles, elaborating on how they have facilitated your work. Highlight any experience with software specific to the software industry, if applicable.