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- Tasks: Lead finance operations, manage teams, and drive client success in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join Ascendant, a forward-thinking firm redefining accounting with tech and human touch.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonuses, generous leave, and share options.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while progressing to a Fractional CFO role.
- Qualifications: Must be ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with 6+ years of experience.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for mentorship and career growth.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 72000 £ per year.
London
Full-time
(minimum 3 days per week in-office) Hybrid working supported
Salary & package: £70,000 to £82,000 (based on experience), performance-based bonus, standard pension, share options, BYOD allowance, 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.
EU candidates must also demonstrate they are eligible to take up UK employment post-Brexit.
Finance Director in London employer: flinder
Contact Detail:
flinder Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Director in London
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry! Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out to potential colleagues on LinkedIn. We all know that sometimes it’s not just what you know, but who you know that can land you that Finance Director role.
✨Showcase Your Expertise
When you get the chance to chat with hiring managers or during interviews, make sure to highlight your experience with financial reporting and team leadership. We want to see how you’ve driven performance and client satisfaction in your previous roles. Bring those success stories to life!
✨Prepare for the Interview
Do your homework on the company and its sector. Understand their approach to Finance-as-a-Service and think about how your skills can contribute to their goals. We recommend preparing some insightful questions to show you’re genuinely interested and ready to make an impact.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don’t forget to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to engage with us directly. Let’s get you on board!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Director in 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 needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Mention your ambition to progress to a Fractional CFO and how you can contribute to our tech-enabled, growth-focused environment.
Showcase Your Achievements: Don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Include specific examples of how you've improved financial performance metrics or led successful client onboarding projects. We love seeing quantifiable results!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Let’s get started on this journey together!
How to prepare for a job interview at flinder
✨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 Business
Ascendant is all about redefining accounting with tech and smart systems. Familiarise yourself with their approach and be prepared to discuss how your experience aligns with their vision. Show them you’re not just a numbers person, but someone who understands the bigger picture.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect questions around UK GAAP, Companies Act requirements, and financial reporting frameworks. Brush up on your technical knowledge and be ready to explain complex concepts clearly. This will show your confidence and expertise in the field.
