Functions
Interim Finance Directors & Interim CFOs
Interim finance directors and CFOs are proven executives who can be deployed on a short, medium or longer-term basis. Our interims are specialists in providing leadership and support an organisation during a period of change, transition or crisis.
The modern role of an interim finance director or CFO is increasingly challenging and requires an evolved and enhanced skill-set – not least a depth and breadth of capability and experience. At Interim Partners, we’ve seen a significant increase in demand for these high-calibre interims in recent years.
Interim finance assignments across industry verticals have become popular for many different reasons. The economic environment and ever-changing, fast-evolving pace of technological advancements have played particularly key roles. Together these factors are placing pressure on organisations to cut costs, drive efficiencies and, in some cases, put turnaround plans in place. This is where our interim finance director or CFOs come onto their own.
The value of an interim finance director or interim CFO
A sound foundation for start-ups
An experienced interim CFO or finance director can provide strategic financial advice for new businesses. This can cover key issues such as managing simple cash flow, budget planning, and establishing and managing operational systems and processes such as PAYE schemes. They can also build the capability of the finance function for the long term.
Turnaround
In distress and turnaround scenarios, a high-performing interim CFO or finance director can transform cash management, improve controls and administer debt refinancing strategy.
Upscaling & value creation
Businesses with huge commercial potential often find themselves stuck in second gear. An interim CFO or finance director can accelerate value creation, through supporting incumbent leaders or by acting as a short-term replacement to kickstart growth.
Exits & acquisitions
The intricacies of exits/deals/mergers often call for specialist expertise to provide accountancy support and manage the financial strategy. Our interim CFOs can work with the incumbent finance director or CFO to help manage the process and work with advisers and investors, ensuring the smooth handling of the transaction process and meeting exit expectations.
Change & transformation
Visionary interim CFOs and finance directors can both support and drive transformation. Their expertise can implement complex new processes and systems, and evaluate and build the finance function for operational performance and management reporting. Beyond this, a digitally-savvy interim CFO can unlock the potential in technology and transform finance’s focus from reporting to forecasting.
Deploying interim CFOs and interim finance directors for key projects
The launch of new initiatives and major projects are pivotal moments for many businesses. An interim finance director or interim CFO can offer a significant ROI during the preparation and implementation phases.
They will put the systems in place to ensure smooth running operations in the short term. At the same time, an experienced finance interim will provide vital expertise to set up and manage your finance team. Our goal is an outcome that provides the best chance for long term success.
By understanding your business challenge, we are able to define the perfect strategy place the right interim finance director or interim CFO to deliver success.
Our unique approach reduces risk and increases your organisation's potential.
An interim CFO ready to hit the ground running
The modern world moves fast. We can deploy interim finance directors and interim CFOs rapidly – you can trust their ability to contribute from day one.
There are many situations where we have responded rapidly to clients who can’t wait for a permanent hire – or don’t need one in the long term. Sometimes, finance interims are appointed in response to a distress scenario or if there's a need to fill a role quickly after a departure.
We’re increasingly deploying interim CFOs and interim finance directors when there's an urgent strategic initiative that requires an expert finance interim to lead it. Our experience includes:
- Large-scale corporate turnarounds
- Advising within venture capital firms and private equity providers
- Overseeing and creating stronger finance teams in order to maintain workloads more efficiently during critical times
- Crisis management
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Managerial support of flotations, buy-ins and buy-outs
Flexible, agile resourcing
Many of our interim CFOs have enjoyed long, successful careers. For those who have held senior or board positions, interim assignments allow them to capitalise on their industry experience and their ability to drive change. Their skillset is broadened from being involved in several different businesses.
Our interims are available at short notice, offering our clients the flexibility to access specialist expertise quickly at different times of the organisational life cycle.
Executive search & selection
Our extensive candidate network means we're well placed to find high-calibre candidates when you're looking to recruit a permanent c-suite or senior leadership professional. Wickland Westcott, our executive search business, delivers retained executive-level assignments both internationally and domestically, centring on the recruitment of CEOs, MDs and general managers along with other senior leadership professionals.
Across assignments, we provide up-to-date marketplace insight, making clear recommendations on when to recruit within niche sectors and when to bring in fresh skills and perspective from outside.
Our high-quality, holistic service combines the capability of our highly experienced executive recruitment consultants with in-depth psychometric/personality assessments delivered by qualified occupational psychologists. Our search and selection methodology will ensure a cultural fit and alignment to values and organisational purpose, which is particularly important at a senior level.
Why Wickland Westcott?
- Over 40 years' experience in executive search and leadership consultancy
- Placed over 2,000 senior leaders across industry sectors
- 99% customer satisfaction
- 98% candidate satisfaction over the last 5 years
- Assignment completion rate of 96%
- 95% of candidates placed are still in their role after a year
Who can Interim Partners help?
With a proven track record in placing senior executives when needed most, Interim Partners is well-positioned to benefit your organisation – no matter its industry sector or culture.
Learn more about our work in your sector.
FTSE250 & global corporations
With shareholders, lenders and customers to satisfy, the biggest firms need total confidence in their financial stewardship. An experienced interim CFO or interim finance director can bring more than finance expertise to the c-suite. They can be both a reassuring, authoritative presence and an inspiring leader and change agent.
Medium-sized enterprises / private equity portfolio companies
Incumbent finance directors often come from narrow accountancy backgrounds. They can lack the wider leadership experience that is required in business focused on scaling up or creating more value. This is where the interim CFO or interim finance director comes into their own, in either an advisory capacity or as a replacement.
Start-ups / venture capital-backed businesses
Some start-ups are constantly on the hunt for funding. Others are awash with cash, or sit somewhere between the two extremes. Start-ups that don’t put the right foundation in place risk wasting their commercial potential. An interim CFO or interim finance director can put start-ups on a faster path to profitability.
Public sector, 3rd sector & housing
In a sector where budget cuts have hit hard, an interim CFO or interim finance director can step in to mitigate risk, manage crises or support transformation and change. Where the taxpayer’s money is at stake, our interim finance specialists help extract the value from current funding or future investment.
The Interim Partners difference
We work closely with our clients to help solve their most complex business challenges. Our award-winning consulting services leverage an extensive network of trusted interim managers and executives with the expertise to deliver measurable results across multiple business functions and sectors at a fraction of the cost of management consultants.
We offer a unique approach to interim recruitment and will take the time to truly understand your business. We look at what your challenges are and what you are aiming to achieve. Together, we define your assignment goals and deliverables – giving absolute clarity on the potential value add or return on investment from your interim.
Our interims are contracted through our 4-stage Return on Interim (ROI) methodology to ensure they deliver the results our clients expect, every time.
Insights and events
Need an interim manager?
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