Job Description

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Act as a strategic finance partner to the co-founders and leadership team, providing insight and challenge on all commercial and financial decisions
Set the financial strategy and lead long range planning to support Apotech's growth
Own the board reporting narrative and KPI framework, reviewing the monthly management accounts prepared by the Finance Manager and translating them into decisions for the leadership team
Lead budgeting and forecasting across revenue, cost, headcount, and cash flow, working with sales and delivery leaders to build a reliable pipeline view
Provide oversight of cash flow, working capital, and treasury across multi currency operations, ensuring the business is well funded through its growth phase
Set the framework for best financial practice across the UK and French entities, including consolidated reporting and compliance with local statutory requirements
Advise on pricing strategy across the business and provide commercial input on client and supplier contracts
Re-design and refine the commission structure for the sales team to ensure it drives the right behaviours and remains commercially sustainable
Lead financial planning for US expansion, whether through acquisition or setting up a local office, including entity setup, tax structuring, and transfer pricing
Oversee tax and statutory audit across jurisdictions, working with external partners as required
Advise on finance systems (Xero) and controls to ensure they scale with the business
Coach and develop the Finance Manager and wider future finance team, building capability and succession as the function grows

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with a proven track record as a CFO, Finance Director, or Fractional CFO
Experience leading finance for a consulting or professional services firm, with a strong understanding of different pricing models including project based, time and materials arrangements
Track record of working through and coaching an in-house Finance Manager or small finance team, rather than owning the day-to-day operational work directly
Working knowledge of UK accounting, with experience of French GAAP and ideally US GAAP
Experience of multi entity, multi currency consolidation and reporting
Track record of supporting international expansion, whether by setting up new offices, entering new markets, or executing acquisitions
Familiarity with Xero or comparable cloud accounting systems, and strong financial modelling and Excel skills
Commercial mindset with the ability to translate financial insight into clear recommendations for a non-finance leadership team
Excellent communication skills, comfortable engaging directly with founders, clients, auditors, and external advisors
Comfortable operating at a strategic level in a small, fast moving business, while rolling up sleeves where needed

NICE TO HAVE

Experience of the life sciences, pharma services, or regulated industries sector
Prior experience of M&A due diligence, deal structuring, or post acquisition integration
Experience implementing or administering EMI share option schemes