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Harper May is working with a growing financial services firm backed by established private ownership and operating across multiple regulated markets.
The business has expanded its client base significantly over the past two years and is now maturing its financial infrastructure to support this scale.
With ambitious plans for organic growth and potential M&A activity on the horizon, they need a Finance Director who can build robust financial capability and bring clear strategic thinking to the leadership table.
The RoleReporting to the Chief Executive, you will own the financial direction and governance of the organisation.
This is a hands-on role that combines strategic responsibility-shaping financial policy and capital allocation-with direct oversight of reporting, compliance, and control across a growing finance function.
You will be a trusted adviser to the Board on financial performance and risk, and a key player in supporting the business through its next phase of development.
Shape and execute financial strategy aligned with growth objectives and shareholder expectationsBuild and lead a finance team, setting standards for technical rigour and commercial awarenessEstablish and maintain financial controls, governance frameworks, and audit readiness across a maturing organisationPrepare statutory accounts, manage audit relationships, and ensure regulatory compliance across all jurisdictionsDeliver management reporting and financial analysis that supports confident decision-making at executive levelOversee cash management, working capital, and capital planning to support growth while maintaining financial disciplineEngage with lenders, investors, and external advisers as a credible financial voice
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with significant post-qualification experience in a senior finance roleTrack record in financial services or another regulated sector, with familiarity of multi-jurisdictional complianceStrong technical grounding in statutory accounting, tax, and regulatory reportingExperience building or scaling a finance function, with clear capability to mentor and develop othersCommercially astute with the ability to translate numbers into insight for non-financial audiencesComposed, analytical communicator comfortable holding the line on control without losing sight of business objectives ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £112.5k - 125k per year
Posted: 2026-08-18 17:58:31
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Harper May is working with a founder-led restaurant group operating eight sites across London.
The business has grown organically over the past five years, recently secured additional investment to accelerate expansion, and is strengthening its finance function ahead of new openings and a planned technology refresh.
They are now seeking a Financial Controller to bring structure and commercial insight to a business moving at pace.
The RoleReporting to the Finance Director, you will own the financial control environment, management reporting, and statutory compliance across the estate.
You will work closely with general managers and operations to translate numbers into actionable insight-helping them understand what margin looks like week-to-week, where labour is running, and when pricing or mix needs to shift.
The role demands both technical rigour and the ability to move at a restaurant's speed.
Key Responsibilities
Lead the monthly close cycle, producing accurate management accounts and reconciliations within tight deadlinesPrepare annual financial statements and support external audit processesDesign and embed financial controls across payroll, procurement, stock, and cash handlingBuild and maintain forecasting and cash flow models to support growth planningWork with site teams to analyse profitability drivers-labour, food cost, covers, and mix-and flag variances earlyOversee finance systems, identifying process improvements and automation opportunitiesEnsure compliance with tax, payroll, and accounting standards across all locations
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with at least four years in a financial control or similar roleProven experience in restaurants, hospitality, or retail-ideally multi-unit operationsStrong technical accounting and balance sheet managementAbility to translate financial data for non-finance audiences and influence operational decisionsComfortable with systems implementation and process designPragmatic, organised, and able to work in an environment where priorities shift weekly ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £70k - 80k per year
Posted: 2026-08-17 17:58:36
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Harper May is working with a privately-owned property developer and contractor operating across London and the South East.
The business has delivered £150m+ in completed projects over the past five years and maintains a strong pipeline of mixed-use and residential schemes.
Recent expansion into commercial partnerships and infrastructure work has brought increased financial complexity, and the ownership is now investing in finance leadership to support growth and tighter commercial control across the expanded portfolio.
The RoleYou will report directly to the Managing Director and own the full finance function.
This is a hands-on head of finance role combining day-to-day financial management with strategic input into project profitability, cash deployment, and business planning.
You will work closely with site, commercial, and senior leadership teams to ensure financial visibility and commercial discipline across all operations.
Key Responsibilities
Manage monthly and quarterly reporting, including management accounts, bridge analysis, and variance commentaryOwn cash flow forecasting, working capital management, and liquidity planning across the project estateEstablish and maintain financial controls, balance sheet governance, and compliance frameworksPartner with project managers and commercial leads to track margin, cost recovery, and profitability on live schemesBuild and oversee the finance team, including recruitment, training, and day-to-day oversightLead audit processes, tax planning, and statutory filing requirementsReview and upgrade finance systems, reporting tools, and process efficiency
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, with at least eight years in finance rolesDirect experience in property, construction, or contracting sectorsProven capability in financial controls, management accounting, and project-based reportingComfortable partnering with operational teams and translating commercial insight into actionStrong systems knowledge and process-improvement mindset ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £90k - 100k per year
Posted: 2026-08-17 17:58:33
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Harper May is working with a London-based technology company that builds data-driven applications for enterprise clients.
Founded five years ago and now processing significant transaction volumes across its customer base, the business is funded by institutional investors and has grown its team to over 120 people.
The company is entering a new phase of scaling operations and deepening its commercial infrastructure.
They are now seeking a Finance Director to strengthen financial leadership and support the next phase of expansion.
The Role
Reporting to the CEO, the Finance Director will own the financial strategy, control environment, and reporting discipline for the business.
This is a hands-on role that balances strategic oversight with direct involvement in forecasting, funding management, and financial control.
You will act as a key strategic partner to the executive team and Board, translating financial insight into actionable commercial guidance.
Develop and maintain financial strategy, budget frameworks, and rolling forecasts aligned to business growthManage cash flow, working capital, and capital allocation decisionsLead engagement with investors, lenders, and external advisorsBuild financial reporting capabilities and strengthen governance across the organisationSupport pricing strategy, commercial planning, and operational performance metricsRecruit and mentor finance team members, establishing scalable processes and systemsOversee statutory accounts, tax compliance, and audit management
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with demonstrable senior finance experienceTrack record in technology, SaaS, or venture-backed environmentsComfort with both spreadsheet rigour and strategic thinkingExperience leading small finance teams and embedding control frameworksClear communicator at Board and investor levelEntrepreneurial mindset - able to operate with ambiguity and drive improvements in real time ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £112.5k - 125k per year
Posted: 2026-08-14 17:58:35
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Harper May is working with a purpose-led retail group operating across standalone stores and a growing online platform.
Founded by retail entrepreneurs with deep market knowledge, the business has expanded steadily over the past five years and is now scaling its supply chain and distribution capability.
To support this growth phase and strengthen financial controls across the organisation, they are seeking a Finance Manager.
The RoleReporting to the Finance Director, you will manage the core finance function, overseeing transactional activity, management reporting, and commercial analysis.
You will work directly with store managers, buyers, and operations leadership to translate financial performance into actionable insight in a collaborative, hands-on environment.
Lead month-end and year-end close cycles, producing timely and accurate financial statementsBuild and maintain rolling forecasts and variance analysis across the store estate and online channelsMonitor inventory valuations, cost of goods sold, and departmental profitabilitySupport working capital management and cash flow planning across seasonal trading patternsManage payroll accruals, fixed asset registers, and balance sheet reconciliationsLiaise with external auditors and ensure statutory compliance and tax filing deadlines are metIdentify process improvements and help implement new finance systems or reporting tools
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, or equivalent demonstrable experienceProven track record in retail, hospitality, or distribution finance rolesSound technical grounding in management accounts, consolidation, and regulatory reportingAbility to engage with operational teams and communicate financial concepts clearlyComfortable with Excel, accounting software, and learning new systems quicklySelf-starter with attention to detail and the stamina to work through busy trading periods ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £55k - 60k per year
Posted: 2026-08-14 17:58:31
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Harper May is working with an established property and construction firm that has grown steadily through a mix of residential and commercial development work.
The business operates across multiple sites in and around London, with a track record of delivering projects on time and within budget.
Recent expansion into new market segments has increased financial complexity, and the firm is now strengthening its finance team to support continued growth.
The RoleReporting to the Finance Manager, you will own the day-to-day management accounting function.
You'll produce accurate financial statements, manage project-level cost reporting, and ensure control processes keep pace with the business's expansion.
The role sits at the heart of how the business tracks and understands financial performance across its portfolio.
Compile monthly management accounts with variance commentary and trend analysisManage project ledgers, cost coding, and work-in-progress valuationSupport annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting cyclesReconcile and maintain the general ledger and balance sheet accountsLiaise with project managers and site teams on cost reporting and spend queriesPrepare data for external audit and contribute to year-end close proceduresReview internal controls and flag process improvements to senior finance staff
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, or currently in the final stages of studyPrior experience in property, construction, or another project-based businessHands-on knowledge of project costing and margin reportingProficiency in Excel and comfort learning new accounting softwareOrganised approach to deadlines and able to manage multiple project reporting streamsWillingness to work collaboratively with non-finance colleagues ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £50k - 55k per year
Posted: 2026-08-13 17:58:38
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Harper May is working with a London-based financial services firm that has grown steadily over the past five years through organic expansion and selective acquisition.
The business is mid-market scale, privately held, and regulated by the FCA.
Growth has outpaced finance capability in parts of the operation, and the team now needs to strengthen its analytical capacity to support faster decision-making and cleaner month-end close.
They are now seeking a Finance Analyst to build financial discipline, improve data quality, and provide clearer visibility to the business.
The RoleReporting to the Finance Manager, you will own analysis and reporting across multiple business lines.
The role sits at the intersection of technical accounting and business support-you will be expected to move beyond producing numbers to understanding what they mean and articulating that clearly to senior stakeholders who do not live in spreadsheets.
Prepare monthly management accounts and supporting commentary for board-level reviewBuild and maintain financial models to support planning, scenarios, and investment decisionsAnalyse profit and loss drivers by business unit and product lineSupport cash flow forecasting and working capital managementAssist with external reporting and regulatory submissionsLead ad-hoc analysis on cost, pricing, and operational efficiency
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified (or equivalent experience in financial analysis within a regulated business)Minimum 2-3 years of post-qualification experience in financial services or a similar control environmentProficiency in Excel and financial modelling; exposure to accounting software and BI tools is a plusAbility to distil complex financial data into clear, actionable insight for non-financial audiencesMethodical, organised approach to work with genuine attention to accuracy and processCommercial awareness and appetite to understand the business, not just the numbers ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £60k - 65k per year
Posted: 2026-08-13 17:58:33
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Harper May is working with a founder-led media and events business that has grown steadily over the past five years through a combination of owned content platforms and live event delivery.
The business operates across multiple revenue streams-sponsorship, ticketing, and content licensing-and is now at a point where finance infrastructure needs to mature alongside operational complexity.
They are seeking a Finance Manager to establish clearer financial discipline and provide the commercial visibility that will support the next phase of growth.
The RoleReporting to the Finance Director, you will manage the core finance function day-to-day.
You'll own the monthly close cycle, produce management accounts that stakeholders actually read, and build out reporting that helps teams understand the commercial performance of individual events and content initiatives.
The role sits at the heart of a collaborative, project-driven business where finance insight directly influences decision-making across events, partnerships, and media teams.
Key Responsibilities
Complete month-end accounts close and prepare accurate, timely management reportingDevelop and maintain annual budgets, rolling forecasts, and cash flow projectionsMonitor project profitability and event-level margins across the portfolioEstablish and sustain robust financial controls and account reconciliationsSupport audit, tax compliance, and external reporting requirementsPartner with operations teams to analyse costs and commercial performanceStreamline finance processes and systems as the business scales
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified (or demonstrable equivalent experience and commitment to qualification)Prior experience in events, media, entertainment, or other project-led sectorsStrong technical accounting knowledge and hands-on close experienceAbility to translate financial data into actionable commercial insight for non-finance teamsProficiency in Excel and accounting systems; exposure to consolidation or reporting tools is valuableCollaborative approach and comfort working in a fast-moving, outcome-focused environment ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £60k - 65k per year
Posted: 2026-08-12 17:58:36
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Harper May is working with a London-based entertainment business that produces and distributes content across film, television, and digital platforms.
The company is backed by independent investors and has grown steadily over the past five years, with recent expansion into new territories and production partnerships.
The finance function is now being strengthened to support this growth trajectory, and they are seeking a Finance Manager to embed robust controls and insight across their expanding operations.
The RoleReporting to the Finance Director, you will manage core financial operations across production, distribution, and corporate functions.
You'll be responsible for ensuring accurate financial reporting, maintaining control environments as the business scales, and providing commercial insight to senior stakeholders and production teams.
The role spans a varied landscape of film finance, licensing agreements, and overhead management.
Key Responsibilities
Lead monthly close cycles and prepare management accounts that support decision-making across the businessOwn budget preparation, rolling forecasts, and cash flow projections across production and distribution streamsMonitor project costs and profitability at granular level, working closely with production and operations teamsMaintain balance sheet controls, perform bank and balance sheet reconciliations, and manage statutory complianceReview and improve finance processes, systems capability, and reporting efficiency as the business developsSupport external audit and ensure compliance with financial reporting standards
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, or equivalent accounting experience at manager levelBackground in entertainment, media, or similar project-based businesses (or willingness to learn sector specifics quickly)Strong technical accounting and Excel proficiencyAbility to explain financial performance clearly to non-finance colleaguesProactive approach to identifying control gaps and improving systems ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £55k - 60k per year
Posted: 2026-08-11 17:58:37
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Harper May is working with a London-based technology business that builds infrastructure software for enterprise clients.
The company is founder-led, well-capitalised, and has grown steadily over the past three years.
It now operates across several product lines serving mid-market and large organisations.
The finance function is lean and effective, but as the business scales and complexity increases across billing, multi-product revenue streams, and international operations, the business is strengthening its management accounting capability to support faster, more data-driven decisions.
The RoleYou will report to the Finance Director and own the monthly management reporting cycle.
The position sits at the centre of the business, working closely with the commercial, product, and operational teams to translate financial performance into actionable insight.
You will be the primary interface between finance and the broader leadership team, responsible for clarity, timeliness, and the integrity of financial information that shapes strategic choices.
Key Responsibilities
Produce monthly management accounts with clear variance analysis and supporting narrativeManage budgeting, forecasting, and rolling cash flow planning cyclesMonitor product-level profitability and unit economics across the businessSupport working capital management and balance sheet reconciliationsPrepare ad-hoc financial analysis on revenue trends, cost drivers, and performance against planOwn month-end and year-end financial close processesDevelop and maintain financial models and reporting tools to improve efficiency
What we are looking for
ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified or part-qualified, with 3-5 years of relevant post-qualification experiencePrior experience in a technology, software, or B2B SaaS environmentStrong Excel skills and the ability to build and maintain financial models independentlyCommercial mindset with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholdersOrganised, detail-minded, and comfortable managing multiple priorities in a growing environment ....Read more...
Type: Permanent Location: City of London, Greater London, England
Salary / Rate: £50k - 55k per year
Posted: 2026-08-11 17:58:33
