Chief Financial Officer

Moore Kingston Smith; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading professional services firm in London seeks a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to shape its financial and operational future. The role includes overseeing financial operations, engaging with stakeholders, and driving performance. Candidates should have a strong background in finance leadership, risk management, and proven skills in managing growth through acquisitions. This position is vital for the firm’s long-term success and requires a strategic mindset supported by a recognized professional qualification.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as a CFO or senior finance leader in a growing business.
• Experience in private equity-backed environments and managing acquisitions.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to influence stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Shape the financial and operational future of the firm.
• Oversee financial operations and ensure robust control frameworks.
• Develop performance measures aligning with the group's strategic direction.

Skills

Leadership

Financial strategy development

Risk management

Stakeholder engagement

Communication skills

Acquisitions management

Education

Professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA or equivalent)

Job description

Department: Business Operations

Location: City, London

Description

As Moore Kingston Smith continues its ambitious growth journey, bolstered by strategic acquisitions and private equity investment from Waterland, we are a leading multidisciplinary professional services firm with £200 million in annual group revenue and a team of over 1500 professionals. This scale, combined with our PE‑backed strategy, positions us for accelerated expansion and innovation.

The Chief Financial Officer (CFO) will play a central role in shaping the financial and operational future of the firm. As a key architect of the firm’s financial strategy, governance, and performance management, the CFO will report to the Managing Partner and collaborate closely with the COO and Senior Leadership Team. This role demands a commercially astute leader with deep experience in corporate finance, risk management, and stakeholder engagement, who can translate strategic vision into operational excellence.

The CFO will oversee financial operations across the group, ensuring robust control frameworks, insightful reporting, and efficient systems. They will be instrumental in evaluating and integrating acquisitions, managing relationships with equity investors and financial institutions, and driving continuous improvement across finance processes. With gravitas and credibility, the CFO will challenge performance constructively, foster cross‑functional collaboration, and contribute to the firm’s long‑term success as a trusted advisor and forward‑thinking, strategic partner.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Partnership

Build strong relationships with the Senior Leadership Team, Board, partners, and other stakeholders. Provide clear financial insights and recommendations to support business growth and profitability. Participate in key decisions as a member of the management board.

Planning and Performance Management

Develop the group’s financial strategy aligned with overall business objectives. Assist in formulating future direction and support strategic initiatives. Coordinate the development of annual operating and capital budgets, monitor progress against strategic growth plans, and oversee cashflow projections. Develop performance measures and monitoring systems that support the group’s strategic direction.

Financial Leadership

Take final responsibility for financial policy, budgeting, control cycles, consolidation, accounting, tax management, and reporting to partners and stakeholders. Ensure robust governance over management information and reporting on key business revenue streams.

Business Operations Leadership

Partner with the COO and senior operational leaders to drive strategic alignment between financial objectives and operational delivery across the group.

Funding and Capital Structure

Control and evaluate the group’s fundraising plans and capital structure. Monitor, plan, and arrange working capital and equity financing as necessary. Build and maintain relationships with group financiers, including banks and capital partners.

Drive Clear and Accurate Reporting

Lead the continued development and implementation of transparent, reliable, and timely financial reporting processes. Collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure that financial information is accessible, actionable, and supports both operational and strategic objectives.

Change Management and Digitisation

Champion projects focused on growth, efficiency, and digitisation. Guide the organisation through continuous change, ensuring financial processes evolve to meet the needs of a growing business.

Integrate Acquisitions Successfully

Oversee the financial due diligence, integration, and consolidation of acquired entities. Ensure seamless alignment of financial processes, systems, and controls, supporting the smooth onboarding of new teams and the realisation of synergies.

Simplify Group Structure

Drive initiatives to streamline and optimise the group’s legal and operational structure. Identify opportunities to reduce complexity, improve efficiency, and enhance the clarity of financial information across the organisation.

External Representation

Represent the company with key vendors, financiers, and other stakeholders, including capital partner investors.

Team Development

Lead and develop a high‑performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Operations and Process Efficiency

Oversee the financial operations and management of all group companies. Enhance the efficiency of transaction processing systems and assess finance software improvements to streamline and automate accounting processes. Oversee employee and partner benefits in collaboration with the People Team to ensure cost‑effectiveness.

Risk Management and Compliance

Identify and address financial risks and opportunities for the group. Design, implement, and monitor reliable financial control systems. Work with the Head of Compliance to ensure adherence to legal and regulatory requirements and report financial risk to the Senior Leadership Team and Governing Board.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Proven experience as a CFO or senior finance leader in a fast‑growing, people‑focused business (professional services, finance or accountancy sectors preferred but not essential).
• Proven ability to scale businesses through both organic growth and acquisitions. Experience in private equity‑backed environments and managing mergers or acquisitions is highly desirable.
• Engaging leader with strong organisational and communication skills, with the ability to influence key stakeholders.
• Experience in finance systems transformation and digitisation to drive efficiency and scalability.
• Strong background in risk management, regulatory compliance, and governance.
• Hands‑on, pragmatic approach with the ability to balance strategic vision and attention to detail.
• Excellent people leadership, coaching, and team‑building skills, fostering a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• Strong conceptual, commercial mindset with a holistic view of business and finance.
• Recognised professional qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CFA or equivalent) and a proven track record of technical excellence.
• Deep alignment with Moore Kingston Smith’s values: integrity, collaboration, client focus, and community impact, combined with a growth mindset.