CFO

AUSTIN MATLEY; England; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A dynamic finance-driven SME is seeking a strategic CFO in Ipswich. This role involves shaping financial strategy for growth and preparing for private equity investment. Key responsibilities include leading M&A initiatives, overseeing ERP implementation, and inspiring a high-performance finance team. The ideal candidate is a qualified accountant with a proven track record in scaling businesses and delivering finance transformation. Join this growing company to influence its strategic direction and culture.

Benefits

Dynamic work environment

Influence and ownership opportunities

Focus on people and culture

Qualifications

• Proven CFO or senior finance leadership track record in scaling SMEs.
• Experience preparing a business for PE investment or strategic funding event.
• Direct M&A transaction experience, including post-merger integration.
• Delivery of ERP or digital finance transformation initiatives.
• Deep understanding of commercial finance and strategic planning.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver a 3-year financial strategy aligned with business growth.
• Lead on mergers, acquisitions, and divestments.
• Oversee ERP implementation ensuring it supports growth and efficiency.
• Inspire a high-performing finance team with a culture of ownership.
• Act as a key voice in Board-level strategic discussions.

Skills

Financial Strategy

Data-driven Insights

M&A Experience

Leadership Skills

Communication Skills

Education

Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Tools

ERP systems

NetSuite

Job description

Chief Financial Officer

Reporting to: CEO

Location: Ipswich| Onsite | Full-time

Leading a dynamic team of finance professionals

Lead Growth. Drive Value. Shape the Future.

Our client is on a transformative growth journey—with a clear vision to scale up to 50% over the next three years and to position the business for Private Equity investment or strategic exit. To support this ambition, we are seeking a strategic, solutions-focused CFO who blends boardroom credibility with operational agility.

This role is an opportunity to join a fast-moving, entrepreneurial SME and shape its financial and strategic architecture. You'll work closely with the CEO as a thought partner, leading M&A initiatives, scaling systems and processes, and creating a high-performance finance function built for long-term value.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic & Commercial Leadership

• Design and deliver a 3-year financial strategy aligned with business growth and PE exit readiness.
• Partner with the CEO and senior leadership to shape commercial decisions through data-driven insights.
• Act as a key voice in Board-level strategic discussions, scenario planning, and risk management.
• Translate the business vision into a scalable operating model, underpinned by performance metrics.

M&A & Capital Strategy

• Lead on mergers, acquisitions, and divestments—including target evaluation, due diligence, structuring, and integration.
• Develop and execute capital formation strategies (debt and equity) in collaboration with investors and stakeholders.
• Support all aspects of investment readiness: financial modelling, investor packs, operational KPIs, and governance uplift.

Finance Transformation & Infrastructure

• Oversee and complete an ERP implementation (potentially NetSuite), ensuring the platform supports growth, reporting, and operational scalability, creating efficiencies.
• Build a robust FP&A framework, enabling predictive forecasting, budgeting, and performance monitoring.
• Establish a modern risk, audit, and compliance framework suitable for a high-growth, investment-ready environment.

Leadership & Culture

• Inspire and develop a high-performing, commercially aware finance team with a culture of ownership and continuous improvement.
• Instil a "business partner" mindset across finance—ensuring the function enables and challenges strategic decisions.
• Live their leadership virtues: Hungry for growth, Humble in collaboration, and Smart in approach.

About You

Experience & Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with a proven CFO or senior finance leadership track record in scaling SMEs.
• Demonstrable experience preparing a business for PE investment, trade sale, or strategic funding event.
• Direct M&A transaction experience—including post-merger integration.
• Proven delivery of ERP or digital finance transformation initiatives.
• Deep understanding of commercial finance, strategic planning, and capital structuring.

Skills & Behaviours

• Strategically minded, commercially driven, and solutions oriented.
• Comfortable operating in fast-paced, high-growth environments with ambiguity and evolving priorities.
• Strong leadership and people development capabilities.
• Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills—across Board, executive, and investor audiences.
• Values-led with a commitment to creating a collaborative, high-performance culture.

Why Join our client?

• Opportunity to play a central role in shaping a high-growth business on a path to strategic investment.
• A seat at the table with real influence, ownership, and purpose.
• A dynamic, forward-thinking environment where people and culture matter.
• The chance to build a legacy—through systems, people, and impact.

Interested?

We’re looking for a CFO who doesn’t just report on performance—but defines it. If you thrive on building, leading, and creating value at pace, and you're ready to join a business with real ambition and heart, we’d love to hear from you.