Head of Finance

Harper May Limited; Teddington; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper May Limited is partnering with a profitable, growing, PE-backed technology business based in south-west London. The Head of Finance will run the group finance function day to day, partner closely with the current CFO, and be developed as the longer-term CFO successor.

This role requires hands-on ownership of group consolidation, FP&A, and reporting across multiple entities, with responsibility for covenant reporting, cash management, and tax compliance.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA with proven post‑qualification experience.
• Experience reporting to CFO/FD in a multi-entity group.
• Strong FP&A, budgeting and covenant reporting to board.
• Experience of PE sponsor reporting is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own monthly group close and consolidated management accounts.
• Deliver monthly reporting to PE sponsor and covenant reporting to lenders.
• Lead FP&A including budget, forecasts, 13-week cash flow, and variance commentary.
• Partner with CFO on post-deal value creation plan and investor reporting.
• Oversee statutory reporting, group audit and tax compliance across entities.
• Own cost control, cash management and working capital.
• Manage, develop and build out the group finance team across sites.
• Deputise for the CFO at board and committee level as the role grows.

Skills

Group consolidation

FP&A

Investor reporting

CFO liaison

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

Job description

Harper May is partnering with a profitable, growing, PE-backed technology business based in south-west London.The group operates across a multi-company structure serving regulated UK B2B markets, has grown rapidly through a mix of strong organic performance and selective acquisitions, and is now embarking on the next phase of scale under new institutional ownership.A Head of Finance is being appointed to run the group finance function day to day, partner closely with the current CFO, and be developed as the longer-term CFO successor.

The Role

Reporting to the CFO, the Head of Finance will take hands-on ownership of the group finance function across the operating entities, lead consolidated reporting, FP&A and controls, and act as the finance lead on the group's post-deal priorities.The role suits a fully qualified, fast-trajectory accountant currently reporting into a CFO or FD, who is ready to step into a true number-two seat with a clear path to CFO over the next 12 to 24 months.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly group close and consolidated management accounts across multiple trading entities
• Deliver monthly reporting to the PE sponsor and quarterly covenant reporting to the group's lender
• Lead FP&A - annual budget, rolling forecast, 13-week cash flow, and clear budget vs forecast vs actual commentary for the board
• Partner with the CFO on the post-deal value creation plan and investor reporting
• Lead the integration of acquired businesses onto a single group accounting platform
• Oversee statutory reporting, the group audit and tax compliance across the operating entities
• Own cost control, cash management and working capital across the group
• Manage, develop and build out the group finance team across multiple sites
• Deputise for the CFO at board and committee level as the role grows

What we are looking for

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Currently reporting into a CFO or FD in a group environment, on a clear upward trajectory
• Hands-on experience of group consolidation across multiple trading entities
• Prior 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 in parallel
• Based within a comfortable commute of south-west London; office-first initially moving to hybrid