At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance for multiple ambitious businesses, shaping decisions and driving real change.
- Company: Join a human-first finance team focused on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, tailored development plans, and generous leave.
- Other info: Enjoy a tight-knit culture with monthly socials and wellbeing credits.
- Why this job: Fast-track your finance career with diverse experiences across various sectors.
- Qualifications: 7+ years in finance, accountancy qualification preferred, and strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 80000 £ per year.
About fin-house
We build human-first finance teams for ambitious, fast-growth businesses. Embedded fractional teams that feel like our clients' own, from day-to-day operations to board-level strategy. We believe finance should be a growth engine, not a back-office function. And we want our people to outgrow us. You'll grow faster here than almost anywhere else - across more industries, business models and finance levels than any single in-house role can offer.
The key bits
- Location: We are based in Waterloo (London) with a minimum of three days in the office a week.
- Salary: £70,000 to £80,000 depending on experience.
The role
Our fin-leads head up finance across a portfolio of 5-7 clients. Forecasting, planning, and commercial insight. Challenging thinking, assessing risk, shaping decisions. Connecting day-to-day performance with long-term strategy, and building high-performing teams underneath you to scale the impact. You're not the CFO; that's a different seat. You're the trusted finance voice in the room, turning finance into something founders actually use.
The fast track
Joining us as a fin-lead puts you on the fastest finance leadership track we know. You'll lead finance across multiple ambitious businesses at once. The variety and depth you'll get in 18 months here would take a decade in a single in-house role. Most in-house roles want you to have experience in their sector before they'll even look at you. Here it's the opposite. You'll work directly with founders on the conversations that actually matter: fundraising, scaling, making the hard calls. And when you move on, you'll have led finance across five or more sectors, think SaaS, fintech, e-commerce, hospitality, climate. That's experience that's hard to build anywhere else. Next stop: FD. After that, CFO. We'll give you the experience, the coaching and the network to get there.
What you'll lead
- Own the financial narrative across your clients - P&L, cash flow, balance sheet - translating complexity into clear guidance that founders can act on.
- Own the operational backbone - AP, AR, payroll and VAT - across your portfolio, keeping clients confident that nothing slips.
- Lead budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning, connecting commercial reality with long-term strategy.
- Build sophisticated financial models for fundraising, M&A, and investment decisions.
- Challenge assumptions, flag risks early and shape decisions, not just report on them.
- Coach and develop fin-managers and fin-operators across your portfolio (typically 2-3 direct reports), building high-performing teams.
- Drive systems and process improvements, setting the standard for how Xero is configured and used.
- Help fin-house grow - through referrals, the relationships you build, and how you represent the brand externally.
Requirements
Who you are
- You've been the sole or most senior finance person in a scaling business. You know what it means to build a finance function rather than inherit one, to advise a founder rather than a committee, and to make calls without a safety net.
- You're ambitious, not settled. You want to be a CFO or FD, and you want to get there faster than a single in-house role would allow.
- You're energised by variety, not unsettled by it. Different sectors, different stakeholders, all at once, and you thrive on the agility that takes.
- You're motivated to develop people, coaching team members across your portfolio and shaping fin-house's culture of high performance.
- You care about the impact finance can make, you don't just crunch numbers, you want to shape decisions and drive real business change.
- You're always curious, constantly looking for ways to do things better, for yourself, your clients and the team.
- You want to be part of a tight-knit culture that learns together and enjoys spending time together, not just working alongside each other.
What you'll need
- Minimum 7 years' experience in an accountancy or finance role.
- An accountancy qualification (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) is desirable; we'll consider strong alternative paths.
- Proficient in Excel and/or Google Sheets.
- Experience with Xero and/or QuickBooks is highly desirable.
- Experience working with a portfolio of clients is highly desirable.
Benefits
- Competitive salary of £70,000-£80,000 based on experience.
- Company-wide performance-related bonus scheme.
- Tailored personal development plan, to help you grow.
- 23 days annual leave, plus bank holidays.
- Birthday day off - celebrate another year older and wiser however you like!
- Office closed between Christmas and New Year.
- Monthly Juno wellbeing credits to spend your way.
- Monthly socials with the team.
Head of Finance, fast track to FD in London employer: fin-house
At fin-house, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a vibrant and supportive work culture in the heart of Waterloo, London. Our commitment to employee growth is unparalleled, offering tailored development plans and a fast track to finance leadership roles, ensuring you gain diverse experience across multiple sectors. With competitive salaries, performance-related bonuses, and a focus on team wellbeing, we create an environment where finance professionals can thrive and make a meaningful impact.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Finance, fast track to FD in London
✨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 fin-house. 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 Head of Finance, fast track to FD in London
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 fin-house.
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 fin-house'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 fin-house
✨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 fin-house.
✨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 fin-house 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 fin-house 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.
