At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and provide commercial insights to drive growth.
- Company: Rapidly scaling tech company with a dynamic leadership team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, bonus potential, equity options, and hybrid work model.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, innovative environment.
- Why this job: Shape the finance function and make impactful decisions at the executive level.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance leadership roles with a focus on FP&A and technology.
Location: South London - Hybrid (3 days office / 2 days working from home)
Salary: £100,000 base + bonus, with OTE of £150,000, plus equity/options
Reporting to: CEO
Direct report: Finance Director
Start date: ASAP
The Opportunity
We're recruiting a Chief Financial Officer for a rapidly scaling, technology-led business that is entering an exciting stage of its growth. This is not a traditional, back-office CFO position. It's a highly commercial leadership role and a genuine seat at the top table, working as the right hand to the CEO and partnering closely with the wider leadership team, Board and investors. The business is looking for someone who can change the way it thinks about its numbers, unit economics and growth opportunities. You'll build the FP&A and forecasting capability required to support the next stage of scale, creating a clear, forward-looking view of business performance. You'll also play a direct role in major commercial decisions, working alongside the CEO and commercial leadership on negotiations, pricing, investment decisions and strategic initiatives. In short, this is an opportunity to help shape and build the finance function rather than simply inherit one.
The Role
As CFO, you'll take ownership of the financial strategy and provide commercial and strategic insight across the business. You'll combine high-level strategic thinking with a willingness to get into the detail. Whether you're discussing growth strategy with the Board, modelling the economics of a new opportunity, supporting a commercial negotiation or improving the finance technology stack, you'll be comfortable moving between the big picture and the numbers behind it. Technology will also be central to the role. You'll use modern financial and data tools - potentially including Snowflake, BigQuery, Omni, Looker, Metabase or similar platforms - and explore how AI and automation can make finance faster, leaner and more commercially valuable.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the CEO's key partner across financial, commercial and strategic matters.
- Bring financial rigour and commercial insight to growth and investment decisions.
- Support major commercial negotiations, including pricing, contract economics and the financial case behind new clients and opportunities.
- Build and own the budgeting, forecasting and FP&A function.
- Develop forward-looking Board and investor reporting that enables better decision-making.
- Establish meaningful KPIs and financial dashboards that connect operational performance with financial outcomes.
- Own cash flow, capex, working capital and scenario planning.
- Build, lead and develop the finance team, including mentoring existing talent into more senior positions.
- Introduce the processes, controls and systems required by a scaling business without creating unnecessary bureaucracy.
About You
You may already be operating as a CFO, or you could be an ambitious Finance Director or Head of Finance ready to take your first CFO position. What matters most is that you can demonstrate that you've built, improved or transformed a finance function rather than simply operated within an established structure.
You'll be:
- Commercially minded - you understand the business behind the numbers and have a clear view of where value is created and where it can be lost.
- Strong in FP&A - modelling, forecasting and scenario planning are core strengths, and you're comfortable building these capabilities from the ground up.
- Hands-on - you're willing to build and solve things yourself before delegating them.
- Technology focused - you're comfortable using modern data and finance technology and enthusiastic about the potential of AI and automation.
- An excellent communicator - you can make complex financial information meaningful to founders, operational teams, commercial colleagues, Board members and investors.
- Commercially engaged - you're happy stepping outside the traditional finance remit and working directly with clients, suppliers and commercial partners.
- Pragmatic and proactive - you know when additional process is valuable and when it simply gets in the way.
Ideally, You'll Also Have
Experience in some of the following would be particularly valuable:
- CFO, Finance Director or Head of Finance experience within a VC or PE-backed scale-up.
- Working within a high-growth technology business.
- Marketplace, proptech, paytech, SaaS, subscription or usage-based B2B business models.
- Leading or supporting a fundraise or refinancing.
- M&A or corporate development activity.
- Presenting directly to Boards and/or investor groups.
- Building and scaling a finance team from a relatively small base.
Chief Financial Officer in Croydon employer: ACS Business Performance Ltd
As a leading employer in the engineering sector, we offer our LEV Engineers a dynamic work environment that fosters independence and technical problem-solving. With competitive salaries, comprehensive training, and opportunities for professional growth, our field-based roles allow you to travel across the UK while making a meaningful impact on health and safety standards. Join us to be part of a supportive team that values your expertise and encourages continuous development.
Contact Details:
ACS Business Performance Ltd Recruitment Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer in Croydon
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like ACS Business Performance Ltd. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer in Croydon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to ACS Business Performance Ltd.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on ACS Business Performance Ltd's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at ACS Business Performance Ltd
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with ACS Business Performance Ltd.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at ACS Business Performance Ltd will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former ACS Business Performance Ltd employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
