About The Role
We are hiring a Head of Finance to lead the entire finance function at Vertical Institute.
This is a hands-on leadership role. You will own financial accuracy, cash discipline, claims recovery, controls, and reporting while building a high-performing finance team.
You will lead the existing finance team and work closely with the CEO and General Manager on financial clarity and decision-making.
What You Will Own
1. Financial Accuracy & Discipline
Ensure 100% accuracy and timeliness across:
- Payroll
- Vendor payments
- Instructor payments
- 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
- 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
What We're Looking For
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)
- 812+ 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
- Education, training, or regulated industries
- High-volume transactional finance environments
- Experience building or tightening finance processes in a growing company
How Success Is Measured
You will be evaluated on:
- Accuracy and timeliness of financial operations
- Claims recovery speed and ageing
- Absence of compliance issues or surprises
- Quality and clarity of reporting
- Strength, reliability, and independence of the finance team
This is not a role for someone who only reports numbers.
It is for someone who runs a function.
Working Style & Culture Fit
This role suits someone who:
- Takes ownership without being chased
- Is calm, structured, and decisive
- Escalates early and clearly
- Values integrity, accountability, and execution discipline
Why Join Us
- Direct exposure to senior leadership and company-level decisions
- Opportunity to shape finance governance at scale
- Clear accountability and high standards
- Flat, young and dynamic culture
