Chief Financial Officer

Cedar; London; On-site; GBP 200,000 +; Full time

Job summary

A mid-market services business in London is seeking an Interim Chief Financial Officer for a 6-month assignment, paying £900-£1,100 per day. The role involves leading financial management, driving transformation during a pivotal post-deal phase, and managing relationships with stakeholders. Ideal candidates should possess a formal accountancy qualification and extensive leadership experience in a PE-backed environment.

Qualifications

• Senior finance leadership experience in a PE-backed environment, ideally post-LBO.
• Expertise in cash flow forecasting, working capital optimisation, and margin improvement.
• Proven ability to deliver finance transformation in fast-paced, change-heavy environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead all aspects of financial management including reporting, planning, treasury, and compliance.
• Produce clear, insightful Board reporting aligned to investor requirements.
• Drive delivery of the remaining post-deal priorities and strengthen financial controls.

Skills

Financial management

Stakeholder management

Cash flow forecasting

Finance transformation

M&A oversight

Education

Formal accountancy qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CA)

Job description

Cedar is currently partnered with a PE-backed services business to help them secure an Interim Chief Financial Officer. This role reports into the CEO and will be based in their Central London headquarters. It is a 6-month assignment, paying £900-£1,100 per day (outside IR35).

The Company
This mid-market services business has recently been acquired by a leading private equity firm following a leveraged buyout. Operating nationally with a strong recurring revenue base, the company is well positioned for rapid growth through both organic expansion and strategic M&A. With an experienced leadership team and an ambitious value creation plan, the business is entering a pivotal post-deal phase to professionalise operations, strengthen governance, and enhance commercial insight.

The Role
As Interim CFO, you will take ownership of the finance function during this critical post-LBO period, delivering finance transformation, building investor-grade reporting, and driving value creation initiatives. Partnering closely with the CEO, COO, and private equity backers, you will shape the financial strategy and ensure the business is prepared for its next stage of growth.

• Lead all aspects of financial management including reporting, planning, treasury, and compliance.
• Produce clear, insightful Board reporting aligned to investor requirements and focused on actionable performance drivers.
• Drive delivery of the remaining post-deal priorities and transition the business into execution of the value creation plan.Strengthen financial controls, processes, and systems to ensure resilience and scalability.
• Provide commercial insight on revenue, margin, and cost drivers to inform strategic decision-making.
• Oversee cash flow forecasting and working capital management to optimise liquidity and support growth initiatives.
• Play a key role in M&A activity, including due diligence, financial modelling, and integration oversight.
• Develop and mentor the finance leadership team to ensure the function can support future scale.

Your Profile
You will ideally have:

• A formal accountancy qualification (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CA).
• Senior finance leadership experience in a PE-backed environment, ideally post-LBO.
• A background in services, outsourcing, or other people/process-led sectors.
• Proven ability to deliver finance transformation in fast-paced, change-heavy environments.
• Expertise in cash flow forecasting, working capital optimisation, and margin improvement.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with credibility at Board and investor level.

Compensation & Benefits
As well as the day rate of £900-£1,100 per day (outside IR35), this interim CFO role offers the opportunity to step into a highly strategic leadership position during a pivotal post-transaction period. You will work alongside a high-calibre executive team and play a central role in delivering investor objectives and preparing the business for scale.

Their offices are located in Central London, within easy reach of major tube and rail links.