Head of Finance

Harper May Limited; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper May Limited is partnering with a profitable, PE-backed technology group in south-west London to recruit a Head of Finance. Reporting to the CFO, you will own consolidated reporting, FP&A, controls and the finance stream of post-deal priorities, with a view to becoming CFO successor.

The role suits a qualified accountant currently reporting to CFO/FD, hands-on with group consolidation and PE sponsor reporting, ready to step into a number-two seat over 12–24 months.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with upward trajectory in a group role.
• Experience reporting to CFO or FD and acting as number-two in a multi-entity group.
• Hands-on consolidation across multiple entities with strong FP&A and reporting skills.
• Exposure to PE sponsor reporting and bank covenants is highly preferred.
• Experience bringing multiple companies onto a single accounting platform and leading a finance team.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly group close and consolidated management accounts across operating entities.
• Prepare monthly reporting for PE sponsor and quarterly covenant reporting to lender.
• Own FP&A end-to-end: budget, rolling forecast, 13-week cash flow, variance commentary.
• Collaborate with CFO on value creation plan and investor reporting.
• Project-manage integration of acquisitions onto a single group platform.
• Oversee statutory reporting, group audit and tax compliance across entities.
• Drive cash management, working capital discipline and cost control.
• Develop and build out the finance team across sites; deputise for CFO when needed.

Skills

Team leadership

FP&A

Group consolidation

Stakeholder reporting

Multisite finance

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Job description

Harper May is partnering with a profitable, acquisitive, PE-backed technology group in the south-west London area.The group runs across a cluster of trading entities serving regulated UK B2B markets, has grown rapidly through strong organic performance alongside targeted acquisitions, and is now entering a new phase of scale under institutional ownership.A Head of Finance is being hired to run the day-to-day group finance function alongside the current CFO and be developed into the longer-term CFO successor.

The Role

Reporting to the CFO, the Head of Finance will be a hands-on operator across the group's trading entities, owning consolidated reporting, FP&A, controls, and the finance stream of the group's post-deal priorities.The role will suit a fully qualified, fast-rising accountant currently reporting into a CFO or FD, who is ready to step into a genuine number-two seat with a line of sight to CFO over the next 12 to 24 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly group close and the consolidated management accounts across the operating entities
• Produce monthly reporting for the PE sponsor and quarterly covenant reporting for the group's lender
• Own FP&A end to end: annual budget, rolling forecast, 13-week cash flow, and board-grade variance commentary
• Work alongside the CFO on the value creation plan and ongoing investor reporting
• Project-manage the integration of acquired businesses onto a single group accounting platform
• Oversee statutory reporting, the group audit and tax compliance across the trading entities
• Drive cost control, cash management and working capital discipline across the group
• Develop and build out the finance team across multiple sites
• Deputise for the CFO at board and committee level as the role matures

What we are looking for

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Currently reporting into a CFO or FD inside a group, on a clear upward trajectory
• Hands-on group consolidation experience across multiple trading entities
• Exposure to PE sponsor reporting and bank covenant reporting is strongly preferred
• Strong FP&A, with the ability to explain variances crisply at board level
• Experience of bringing multiple companies onto a single accounting platform is a plus
• Hands-on team leader, comfortable owning the detail and the strategic picture together
• Based within a comfortable commute of south-west London; office-first initially, moving to hybrid