Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and management for a growing business preparing for exit.
- Company: Join a privately owned global business in West Yorkshire with significant growth potential.
- Benefits: Opportunity to shape the finance function and influence shareholder value.
- Why this job: A career-defining role for a finance leader looking to make a real impact.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in SME or privately owned businesses.
- Other info: Ideal for those with M&A or fundraising experience.
The predicted salary is between 72000 - 108000 £ per year.
HW Finance are delighted to be working in Retained Partnership with a privately owned globally operating business in West Yorkshire (circa £50m-£100m turnover). They are seeking to appoint their first CFO to support the next stage of growth and value creation. With a future exit planned — to either trade or private equity — this is a career-defining opportunity for a commercially minded finance leader to operate at board level and directly influence shareholder value. A rare opportunity to shape and lead the financial strategy of a growing, entrepreneurial business on the path to exit.
The Role
As Chief Financial Officer, you will work closely with the founding shareholders and leadership team to bring structure, clarity, and strategic focus to all aspects of financial management and corporate planning. You’ll be responsible for building out robust financial infrastructure while preparing the business for investment, due diligence, and ultimately, exit.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as a key strategic advisor to the owners and board, helping shape the business plan and exit strategy.
- Own and evolve all financial reporting, planning, controls, and governance.
- Build and professionalise the finance function, processes, and systems.
- Lead cashflow management, scenario modelling, and working capital optimisation.
- Prepare and support investor readiness — data room, KPIs, forecasting, and due diligence.
- Drive commercial insight across the business, improving margin, cost, and operational decisions.
- Partner across the organisation to support scalable, sustainable growth.
Ideal Candidate
- A qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.
- Experience in an SME or privately owned business (ideally sub-£100m turnover).
- Strong understanding of exit processes (PE or trade), due diligence, and value creation.
- Highly commercial and hands-on, with the credibility to operate at board level.
- Confident working directly with founders and managing change in a dynamic environment.
- M&A or fundraising experience would be advantageous.
Chief Financial Officer (West Yorkshire) employer: HW Finance
Contact Detail:
HW Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer (West Yorkshire)
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in SMEs or private equity. Attend industry events and connect with individuals on platforms like LinkedIn to gain insights and potentially get referrals.
✨Tip Number 2
Familiarise yourself with the specific financial challenges faced by businesses in the £50m-£100m turnover range. Understanding these nuances will help you demonstrate your strategic thinking and readiness to tackle the role effectively.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with exit strategies and due diligence processes in detail. Be ready to share examples of how you've contributed to value creation in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the CFO position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your ability to lead change and build financial infrastructure in a growing business. Highlight any past experiences where you've successfully implemented new systems or processes that improved financial management.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer (West Yorkshire)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your qualifications and experience relevant to the CFO role. Emphasise your post-qualification experience, particularly in SME or privately owned businesses, and any involvement in exit processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the company's goals and how your skills can help achieve them. Mention your experience with financial reporting, planning, and governance, and how you can contribute to their growth and exit strategy.
Highlight Relevant Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include specific examples of your past achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive commercial insight, manage cashflow, and optimise working capital. Use metrics where possible to quantify your impact.
Proofread and Edit: Before submitting your application, thoroughly proofread your documents for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a CFO role.
How to prepare for a job interview at HW Finance
✨Understand the Business Model
Before the interview, take time to research the company's business model and financial structure. Understanding how they operate and their growth plans will allow you to speak confidently about how your skills can contribute to their objectives.
✨Prepare for Strategic Discussions
As a CFO, you'll be expected to engage in high-level strategic discussions. Prepare to discuss your experience with financial planning, governance, and exit strategies. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've successfully navigated similar challenges in the past.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
Highlight your experience in building and leading finance teams. Discuss how you've professionalised finance functions in previous roles and how you plan to do the same for this company. Emphasise your ability to partner with other departments to drive growth.
✨Demonstrate Commercial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss how you've improved margins and made operational decisions that positively impacted the bottom line. Use data and metrics to back up your claims, as this will demonstrate your analytical skills and commercial insight.
