Head of Finance

Harper May Ltd; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Harper May Ltd is partnering with a profitable, PE-backed technology business in south-west London to appoint a Head of Finance. You will run the group finance function day to day, lead consolidated reporting, FP&A and controls, and serve as finance lead on post-deal priorities.

A fast-tracked path to CFO is envisaged within 12–24 months. The role suits a fully qualified accountant currently reporting to a CFO/FD, with hands-on experience in group consolidation and PE sponsor reporting, ready to

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Hands-on experience of group consolidation across multiple trading entities.
• Exposure to PE sponsor reporting and bank covenant reporting preferred.
• Strong FP&A with ability to explain variances at board level.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly group close and consolidated accounts across entities.
• Deliver monthly reporting to PE sponsor and covenant reporting to lender.
• Lead FP&A including budget, rolling forecast, 13-week cash flow and variance commentary.
• Partner with CFO on post-deal value creation and investor reporting.
• Lead integration of acquisitions onto a single group accounting platform.
• Oversee statutory reporting, group audit and tax compliance.
• Manage cost control, cash and working capital for the group.
• Build and develop the group finance team across sites.
• Deputise for the CFO at board and committee level as the role grows.

Skills

Group consolidation

FP&A

CFO liaison

Team leadership

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Group accounting platform

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