Fractional CFO

Axon Moore; Carlisle; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Axon Moore is partnering with a privately owned, multi-site business to appoint a commercially focused Fractional CFO. This executive role will build a modern finance function, provide strategic financial leadership, and act as a trusted adviser to the owners from a pivotal growth phase.

The role is flexible: Fractional, Interim, Part-Time or Full-Time. You will lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance reporting, drive profitability, and guide major commercial decisions with insightful

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification (or equivalent).
• Previous experience operating as a CFO, Finance Director or Fractional CFO.
• A proven track record of delivering operational improvements, cost savings and enhanced profitability.
• Strong commercial acumen with the confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing finance functions and improving financial reporting.
• Excellent cash flow, treasury and banking experience.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate financial information into clear commercial recommendations.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for driving business performance.

Responsibilities

• Acting as the principal financial adviser to the Owner and senior leadership team.
• Building and developing a fit-for-purpose finance function capable of supporting future growth.
• Introducing robust financial controls, governance and reporting processes.
• Producing timely and insightful management information to support strategic decision-making.
• Developing meaningful KPIs, dashboards and performance reporting across the business.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and long-term financial planning.
• Providing commercial analysis to support investment decisions and business strategy.
• Reviewing the financial performance of individual operating locations, identifying opportunities to improve profitability, improve returns and support strategic decisions.
• Identifying and delivering significant cost-saving initiatives and operational efficiencies across the business.
• Reviewing supplier agreements, procurement processes, overhead expenditure and energy costs to improve margins.
• Strengthening working capital management and treasury processes.
• Managing banking relationships, funding facilities and financing arrangements.
• Building robust financial models to support strategic projects and business cases.
• Working closely with operational leaders to improve commercial performance through better use of financial data.
• Managing relationships with external accountants, auditors, banks and professional advisers.

Skills

CFO experience

Strategic finance

Financial modelling

Stakeholder management

Cost optimization

Education

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Financial modelling tools

Job description

Axon Moore is delighted to be partnering with a well-established, privately owned multi-site business to appoint a commercially focused Fractional CFO.

This is a rare opportunity to join an organisation at a pivotal stage in its journey. Historically, the business has operated with limited financial leadership, creating an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to build a modern finance function and become a trusted strategic adviser to the owners.

We're deliberately keeping the structure of this appointment flexible and welcome applications from candidates seeking a Fractional, Interim, Part-Time or Full-Time opportunity. The priority is finding the right individual to help transform the commercial performance of the business.

Reporting directly to the Owner and Shareholder, you will play a key role in shaping strategy, improving profitability and ensuring major business decisions are underpinned by meaningful financial analysis.

The Role

This is a hands-on executive leadership role where you'll be responsible for establishing financial discipline, improving visibility of performance and driving long-term value creation across a multi-site operation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Acting as the principal financial adviser to the Owner and senior leadership team.
• Building and developing a fit-for-purpose finance function capable of supporting future growth.
• Introducing robust financial controls, governance and reporting processes.
• Producing timely and insightful management information to support strategic decision-making.
• Developing meaningful KPIs, dashboards and performance reporting across the business.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and long-term financial planning.
• Providing commercial analysis to support investment decisions and business strategy.
• Reviewing the financial performance of individual operating locations, identifying opportunities to improve profitability, improve returns and support strategic decisions.
• Identifying and delivering significant cost-saving initiatives and operational efficiencies across the business.
• Reviewing supplier agreements, procurement processes, overhead expenditure and energy costs to improve margins.
• Strengthening working capital management and treasury processes.
• Managing banking relationships, funding facilities and financing arrangements.
• Building robust financial models to support strategic projects and business cases.
• Working closely with operational leaders to improve commercial performance through better use of financial data.
• Managing relationships with external accountants, auditors, banks and professional advisers.

The Person

We're looking for an experienced commercial finance leader who thrives on improving businesses and influencing strategic decisions.

You will ideally possess:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification (or equivalent).
• Previous experience operating as a CFO, Finance Director or Fractional CFO.
• A proven track record of delivering operational improvements, cost savings and enhanced profitability.
• Strong commercial acumen with the confidence to influence and challenge senior stakeholders.
• Experience developing finance functions and improving financial reporting.
• Excellent cash flow, treasury and banking experience.
• The ability to combine strategic thinking with a hands-on approach.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to translate financial information into clear commercial recommendations.
• A proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with a passion for driving business performance.

Why Apply?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine and lasting impact within an established owner-managed business.

You’ll have significant autonomy to shape the finance function, influence strategic direction and deliver measurable improvements across the organisation. From identifying efficiencies and strengthening financial controls to improving profitability and supporting key investment decisions, your work will directly influence the future success of the business.

The business is flexible on the engagement model and is open to considering Fractional, Interim, Part-Time or Full-Time appointments for the right individual.