At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance teams and drive financial performance across the UK and Ireland.
- Company: Leading professional services firm with a focus on growth and collaboration.
- Benefits: Hybrid working, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Join a high-performing culture focused on collaboration and continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Shape financial strategy and make a real impact in a dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with senior finance leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 120000 - 150000 £ per year.
Location: London, hybrid
Type: Permanent, full time
Middlemore are conducting a retained, confidential search for a Chief Financial Officer to lead the finance function across the United Kingdom and Ireland for a leading professional services firm. This is a strategically important role, working closely with the executive team to shape financial performance, support growth, and strengthen the organisation’s commercial and operational decision-making. Based in London with hybrid working, the role will also involve regular travel across the UK and Ireland.
As CFO, you will lead a large and geographically dispersed finance team and take ownership of financial strategy, reporting, planning, cash management, controls, and broader business support. You will play a key role in enabling profitable growth, maintaining robust governance, and ensuring the finance function continues to evolve in line with the needs of the business.
The Role
Working in partnership with the UK executive team and international finance colleagues, you will provide insight, challenge, and leadership across a broad remit. Your responsibilities will include:
- Leading and developing the finance teams across the UK, Ireland, and shared services.
- Driving financial performance through robust reporting, planning, forecasting, and analysis.
- Supporting strategic decision-making across investment, pricing, business development, and M&A activity.
- Ensuring strong financial controls, governance, and compliance across all legal entities.
- Managing working capital, cash flow, treasury processes, and banking relationships.
- Overseeing credit control, client accounting, and the invoice‑to‑cash process.
- Supporting statutory reporting, audits, and regulatory requirements.
- Contributing to pension, insurance, and wider corporate governance matters.
- Building a high‑performing culture focused on collaboration, continuous improvement, and accountability.
About You
You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with significant senior finance leadership experience in a complex, multi‑entity, matrixed environment. We are looking for someone who brings:
- Proven experience operating at CFO, Finance Director, or equivalent level.
- A strong track record of leading large, diverse teams.
- Broad finance expertise across reporting, FP&A, controls, cash, and commercial finance.
- Confidence partnering with senior stakeholders and influencing strategic decisions.
- A commercial mindset and the ability to balance growth with disciplined financial management.
- Strong communication skills and the ability to engage both financial and non‑financial audiences.
- Experience in a professional services, service‑led, or similar complex business environment.
Chief Financial Officer employer: Middlemore
Middlemore is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work environment in London with hybrid working options that promote work-life balance. As a leading professional services firm, we prioritise employee growth through continuous development opportunities and foster a collaborative culture that values accountability and innovation. Join us to play a pivotal role in shaping financial strategies while enjoying the unique advantage of working across the UK and Ireland, contributing to meaningful business decisions that drive our success.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Chief Financial Officer
✨Network Like a Pro
Get out there and connect with people in the industry! Attend finance events, webinars, or even local meetups. You never know who might have a lead on that perfect CFO role.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, highlight your experience leading diverse teams. Share specific examples of how you've driven financial performance and supported strategic decisions.
✨Be Ready for the Interview
Prepare for those tough questions by brushing up on your knowledge of financial controls, governance, and compliance. Make sure you can discuss how you've managed cash flow and treasury processes in past roles.
✨Apply Through Our Website
Don't forget to check out our website for the latest job openings! Applying directly through us can give you an edge, as we’re always looking for top talent to join our team.
We think you need these skills to ace Chief Financial Officer
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the CFO role. Highlight your experience in leading finance teams and driving financial performance, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
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. Share specific examples of your achievements in financial strategy and governance, and how you’ve supported growth in previous positions. We love a good story!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a CFO, you'll be leading large teams, so make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've developed teams and fostered a high-performing culture. We want to know how you inspire collaboration and accountability in your work.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at StudySmarter. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Middlemore
✨Know Your Numbers
As a CFO, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the company and be ready to discuss how you've driven financial performance in previous roles. This shows you understand the business's financial landscape.
✨Showcase Leadership Experience
Prepare examples of how you've led diverse finance teams and fostered a high-performing culture. Highlight specific instances where your leadership directly contributed to growth or improved financial governance. This will resonate well with the executive team.
✨Understand the Business Strategy
Familiarise yourself with the company's strategic goals and how the finance function supports them. Be prepared to discuss how you can align financial strategies with broader business objectives, especially in areas like M&A and investment decisions.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Demonstrate your ability to partner with senior stakeholders by preparing to discuss how you've influenced strategic decisions in the past. Use examples that showcase your communication skills and ability to engage both financial and non-financial audiences effectively.
