An established, owner-managed business services company based in Portsmouth is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Director for an initial 8–12-week assignment, with potential to extend. The immediate priority is to lead the company’s financial assessment of a potential acquisition. You’ll work closely with the owner and transaction advisers to test the seller’s forecasts against source information, assess the quality and sustainability of revenue, and build an independent view of the costs, cash requirements and risks involved.
Alongside the transaction work, you’ll help strengthen financial reporting and forward planning in the existing business, working with the current finance manager and management team.
Key responsibilities
- Lead buyer-side financial due diligence, reviewing contracts, revenue, costs, working capital and supporting records.
- Challenge the seller’s assumptions and prepare a robust 24-month forecast, including cash, profit and downside scenarios.
- Assess the full cost of operating and integrating the acquired business, including staffing, supplier arrangements, licences and transition services.
- Advise the owner and transaction advisers on valuation, funding requirements, key risks and proposed deal terms.
- Review current finance processes and introduce timely, useful management accounts and cash reporting.
- Improve forecasting, financial controls and visibility of customer and contract profitability.
About you
You’ll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong FC/FD experience and a track record of leading financial due diligence on acquisitions or carve-outs. You’ll be commercially minded, comfortable working through detailed source data, and able to turn your findings into clear advice for an owner-manager.
Experience in business services, technology, managed services or contract-based businesses would be useful. Just as important is a hands‑on, pragmatic approach. You will need to work effectively with a small finance function, bring structure without unnecessary process, and explain complex financial issues in plain language.
Interim Finance Director in Portsmouth employer: Talent4
Join a dynamic and ambitious PE-backed consultancy that values strategic leadership and operational excellence. With a strong focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to shape the future of the business while working in a collaborative environment that encourages innovation and performance. Located in a thriving area, this role offers not just a competitive salary but also a chance to be part of a forward-thinking team dedicated to driving meaningful change.
