Start here when accurate accounts, reporting routines and financial controls are the main need. Decide which work stays with your accountant and which responsibilities the controller will bring into the business.
Discuss a reporting process they improved, how they checked its accuracy and the systems they used. Ask what they would need to understand before changing yours.
This brief can suit a company that needs one person to run the finance function, manage cash visibility and turn the numbers into useful planning. Make the balance between personal delivery and team management clear.
Explore their approach to cash forecasting and a time they challenged a commercial assumption. Check how much support they had from a CFO, advisers or an established team.
A Finance Director search should define the decisions the founder and board expect this person to own. That may include financial planning, investment choices and stronger governance alongside responsibility for the finance function.
Ask how they helped a leadership team choose between competing uses of cash. Examine the forecast, the uncertainty they raised and what happened after the decision.
Consider a CFO when the brief includes company strategy, capital allocation and substantial board or investor responsibility. If fundraising is part of the role, specify the stage, type of capital and work the candidate must have led personally.
Separate attending a funding round from owning the financial model, diligence and investor discussions. Ask how they maintained financial control while doing that work.
Evidence of strengthening reporting, cash visibility, compliance and the routines behind accurate decisions.
The ability to move beyond reporting and help leaders understand trade offs, investment choices and likely outcomes.
Experience with the level of ambiguity, resource and governance the company will face over the next two years.
Confidence with founders, boards, investors and teams without hiding the important point behind finance language.
When the role is ready
The answer depends on the mandate, not simply company size. We define the decisions, controls, board exposure and capital requirements first, then agree the credible level.
We recruit permanent Financial Controllers, Heads of Finance, Finance Directors and Chief Financial Officers for UK startups and scaleups.
No. The 12.5% success fee is calculated on base salary only.
No. We agree the brief, research the market, approach candidates and screen them without an upfront charge. The success fee becomes payable when your chosen candidate signs their employment contract. The assignment is governed by the agreed Terms of Business.
Our current service covers permanent appointments only. We can help define a permanent Finance Director or CFO role, but fractional, interim and advisory appointments are outside our current scope.
We target three to five screened and interested candidates within seven working days of an agreed brief and signed terms. Each has discussed the specific opportunity, been assessed against the essential criteria, confirmed interest and given permission to be presented. Salary, location and working pattern are checked, with availability and notice period recorded.
Check the salary range before you agree the brief. Then decide how you will assess candidates and what you need to see in the shortlist.