Interim CFO

Cedar; West End; Hybrid; GBP 231,000 - 277,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working

6‑month contract

Job summary

Cedar, a private equity backed technology and services business based in London, seeks an Interim CFO for a 6-month contract on a day rate of £1,250–£1,500. The role focuses on exit-readiness, performance, and transaction workstreams, reporting directly to the CEO, Board and PE investor.

The role involves developing the financial equity story, robust forecasting, and leading diligence activities, with 2–3 days in Central London as part of a hybrid setup.

Qualifications

• Experience as CFO/Finance Director with PE background.
• Direct experience delivering a PE-backed exit or a similarly complex transaction.
• Strong vendor due diligence, Quality of Earnings and buyer diligence experience.
• Excellent FP&A, financial modelling, forecasting and MI capability.
• Strong understanding of EBITDA, cash, working capital and enterprise value.
• Comfortable working directly with PE investors, Boards and transaction advisers.
• Technology, software, data or B2B services experience would be advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial exit readiness and prepare the business for buyer diligence.
• Develop and substantiate the financial equity story, historic performance and future growth opportunity.
• Build and defend a robust forecast and long-range plan.
• Drive EBITDA, margin, cash and working capital improvements ahead of exit.
• Lead vendor due diligence, Quality of Earnings and the finance transaction workstream.
• Prepare financial information for the data room and respond to buyer diligence.
• Provide clear analysis around normalised EBITDA, adjustments, working capital and cash conversion.
• Ensure MI and KPI reporting clearly demonstrates underlying commercial performance.
• Support management presentations, buyer discussions and external advisers.
• Maintain tight control over trading, forecasting and risks and opportunities throughout the sale process.

Skills

Private equity experience

FP&A

Financial modelling

Forecasting

MI reporting

Job description

Cedar is partnered with a private equity-backed technology and services business in Central London to appoint an Interim CFO. This is a 6-month contract offering a day rate of £1,250-1,500 per day.

The Company

This established PE-backed business has undergone significant growth during the investment period and is now approaching a potential exit.

With the business entering the final stages of the private equity hold, the focus is on maintaining strong performance, maximising value and ensuring the business is fully prepared for a transaction.

The Role

Working closely with the CEO, Board and private equity investor, the Interim CFO will lead the financial exit-readiness and transaction workstream while continuing to drive performance and value creation.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading financial exit readiness and preparing the business for buyer diligence.
• Developing and substantiating the financial equity story, historic performance and future growth opportunity.
• Building and defending a robust forecast and long-range plan.
• Driving further EBITDA, margin, cash and working capital improvements ahead of exit.
• Leading vendor due diligence, Quality of Earnings and the finance transaction workstream.
• Preparing financial information for the data room and responding to buyer diligence.
• Providing clear analysis around normalised EBITDA, adjustments, working capital and cash conversion.
• Ensuring MI and KPI reporting clearly demonstrates underlying commercial performance.
• Supporting management presentations, buyer discussions and external advisers.
• Maintaining tight control over trading, forecasting and risks and opportunities throughout the sale process.

Your Profile

• Experienced CFO / Finance Director with a strong private equity background.
• Direct experience delivering a PE-backed exit or similarly complex transaction.
• Strong vendor due diligence, Quality of Earnings and buyer diligence experience.
• Excellent FP&A, financial modelling, forecasting and MI capability.
• Strong understanding of EBITDA, cash, working capital and enterprise value.
• Comfortable working directly with PE investors, Boards and transaction advisers.
• Technology, software, data or B2B services experience would be advantageous.

Compensation & Working Arrangements

The day rate for this Interim CFO role is £1,250-1,500 per day.

The role is based in London, with hybrid working typically requiring 2-3 days per week in Central London.

This is a hands-on private equity exit mandate with significant exposure to the CEO, investor and wider transaction process.