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- Tasks: Lead a dynamic finance team and drive client success in a tech-enabled environment.
- Company: Join Ascendant, a fast-growth company redefining accounting with smart systems and real relationships.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, share options, and generous annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance-as-a-service and progress to a Fractional CFO role.
- Qualifications: Must be ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with 6+ years of experience.
- Other info: Be part of a culture that values innovation, personal connections, and relentless improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
£70,000 to £82,000 (based on experience) performance-based bonus share options 25 days annual leave + 3 additional days at Christmas
Role overview
We’re looking for a high-calibre Finance Director to help lead one of our core sectors within Finance-as-a-Service (FaaS). This is a senior delivery and leadership role - responsible for both client success and commercial performance across a sector. You’ll work alongside a Sector CFO to drive performance, oversee finance teams, and own key client relationships. You’ll also play a pivotal role in monitoring and improving sector economics, including utilisation, recovery, and financial reporting. Natural progression opportunities through to a Fractional CFO role. This role combines client delivery, operational management, team development, and commercial insight — all within a tech-enabled, growth-focused environment that’s redefining what accountants can do.
Core responsibilities
- Lead the day-to-day operations of a full FaaS sector (15+ people), with shared accountability for delivery, financial performance, and client satisfaction
- Act as primary finance lead for a portfolio of clients, supported by Financial Controllers, Senior Accountants, and support the CFO on key strategic clients
- Provide oversight, coaching, and quality assurance across the sector's financial controllers and pod teams
- Monitor and improve sector performance metrics including utilisation, chargeable hours, recovery rates, and margin
- Support capacity planning, resourcing decisions, and prioritisation of client work
- Own and review technical outputs including management accounts, year-end accounts, and statutory returns
- Lead client onboarding and transformation projects where needed, ensuring smooth transitions and strong foundations
- Drive operational improvements across systems, reporting workflows, and internal delivery standards
- Contribute to commercial insight and internal reporting for your sector (e.g. delivery dashboards, commentary on performance)
- Develop and support future leaders - mentoring FCs and helping shape a strong, capable delivery team
Must have
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or equivalent)
- 6+ years post-qualified experience, in a practice or outsourced environment
- Proven experience managing finance teams and leading client delivery at scale
- Strong technical understanding across management accounts, consolidations, statutory accounts and tax
- Experience with UK GAAP, Companies Act requirements, and financial reporting frameworks
- Commercial awareness and experience working with utilisation, recovery, and margin metrics
- Comfortable presenting financial information to internal and external stakeholders
- Track record of developing and mentoring team members
- Highly organised, with strong judgement and ability to prioritise across a busy portfolio
- Ambition to progress to Fractional CFO and beyond within the business
Nice to have
- Experience leading a sector, pod, or multi-team structure
- Familiarity with cloud accounting platforms (Xero)
- Experience in high-growth environments with a focus on automation or systems improvement
- Prior involvement in capacity planning, forecasting, or resource allocation
- Strong Excel or reporting/dashboarding skills
Team structure
- Reporting to: Sector CFO
- Team: Leads a team of 15+, including qualified and part-qualified staff
- Collaborating with: Portfolio CFOs, FDs, transition & transformation team, compliance and tax functions
About Ascendant
Ascendant is here to reboot what people expect from accountants. We combine smart systems, sharp thinking, and real relationships to help ambitious businesses move faster and make better decisions. Whether it’s compliance, R&D, or full finance-as-a-service, we deliver accounting and tax that’s strategic, scalable, and always on it. Built for founders. Powered by tech. Backed by humans.
Unfortunately, we are unable to provide any form of visa sponsorship, so candidates must be an EU citizen or possess a current UK Tier 1 Visa and be eligible to take up full-time, permanent employment. EU candidates must also demonstrate they are eligible to take up UK employment post-Brexit.
We build and run smart finance functions® for fast-growth and complex businesses. Our mission is to deliver relevant insight that enables better business decisions.
From candidate to colleague
Our values
- Creators. Leaders. Self-starters. We’re an innovative fast-growth company that likes to challenge convention. We’re always thinking and looking ahead. Our people dream big and are driven to change the world.
- It’s personal. We’re interested in our clients and each other. We take the time to get to know what makes their business tick. Yes, we deliver on business, data and finance challenges, but it’s always strategic, insightful and relevant.
- We’re true to ourselves, each other and we’re straight with our clients. So, if we think something is the right thing for our client’s business, we’ll say it even if it’s not what they want to hear.
- We don’t settle, we never stop developing. We’re always looking for a better way. We’re relentless when it comes to delivering the highest standards and getting the best outcome for clients.
Finance Director in City of London employer: Flinder Holdings Limited
Contact Detail:
Flinder Holdings Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector and let them know you're on the lookout for a Finance Director role. You never know who might have the inside scoop on an opportunity that’s not even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've driven performance and improved financial metrics in your previous roles. We want to see you shine!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to showcase your mentoring experience! As a Finance Director, developing future leaders is key. Share examples of how you've supported your team’s growth and success during interviews.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining our innovative team at Ascendant.
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Finance Director role. Highlight your experience in managing finance teams and client delivery, as well as any relevant qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. We want to see how your background aligns with our mission at StudySmarter!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about the Finance-as-a-Service sector and how you can contribute to our growth. Be sure to mention your ambition to progress within the company, as we love seeing that drive!
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use metrics to demonstrate how you've improved financial performance or client satisfaction in previous roles. We’re all about results here at StudySmarter, so let us see what you’ve accomplished!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a seamless application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Flinder Holdings Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Finance Director, you'll need to demonstrate your strong grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key performance indicators like utilisation, recovery rates, and margins. Be ready to discuss how you've improved these metrics in past roles.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading a team of 15+ people, so highlight your experience in managing finance teams. Prepare examples of how you've mentored team members and driven client delivery at scale. They want to see your leadership style in action!
✨Understand the Tech Landscape
Since this position is within a tech-enabled environment, be familiar with cloud accounting platforms like Xero. Discuss any experience you have with automation or systems improvement, as this will show you're aligned with their innovative approach.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions regarding capacity planning or resource allocation. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
