1. Understand
The skills, experience and attributes required, providing insights and fresh perspective to help the organisation define the unique needs and objectives of the search.
Finance Director search
specialist finance leadership for growth and transformation
The CFO Practice recruits specialist finance leadership professionals for businesses navigating growth, transformation, and increasing operational complexity.
These appointments often strengthen key areas of the finance function, including financial control, FP&A, commercial finance, finance transformation, and operational finance leadership. They play a critical role in improving financial visibility, supporting strategic decision-making, and building scalable infrastructure during periods of growth and change.
Typical mandates include:
- Group Financial Controller
- Head of Finance
- Head of FP&A
- Finance Transformation Director
- Commercial Finance Director
- Head of Commercial Finance
Every search is tailored to the specific operational, technical, and strategic needs of the business, ensuring the appointment of finance leaders capable of delivering long-term impact.
2. Agree
The search parameters, developing a tailored assignment brief that details the company, role, and key deliverables, specifying the candidate experience, qualifications and competencies required for success.
3. Identify
Candidates using targeted, in-depth research across relevant companies and sectors, generating an extensive long list using The CFO Practice network and a range of executive recruitment tools.
4. Screen
The longlist through a rigorous, multi-stage interview process that evaluates each candidate’s competencies, technical skills, and aspirations against the assignment brief.
5. Present
A shortlist of the most qualified and motivated candidates, thoroughly assessed, and aligned with the specific role requirements.
6. Manage
All aspects of the interview process, ensuring a coordinated and transparent feedback loop between candidates and the company.
7. Complete
The search by carefully overseeing the offer process, conducting thorough checks and references to validate the candidate’s competencies and identify potential areas of development.
8. Follow Up
Stay in close contact with all parties before and after the start date to ensure a seamless transition.
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The CFO Practice identifies 92% of appointed finance leaders within the first 30 days of commencing a permanent search.
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The CFO Practice averages five first-round interviews to every successful permanent search.
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The CFO Practice donates 5% of its annual profits to charity.
I’ve worked with Robert as a candidate and client for nearly 20 years ever since I was a newly qualified accountant. He is my go-to consultant on both sides because I trust in him. He works with rigor and integrity to find appropriate roles and high-quality candidates. Robert partners with me to problem-solve, bringing forward new ideas to reach a positive outcome. I can’t recommend him highly enough.
Chris Musgrove, CFO
Techspert
Rob from The CFO Practice exceeded our expectations in handling our Head of Finance (Reading, Berkshire-based) search. His continuous communication, professionalism, and seamless management of the process made our experience effortless. Thanks to his support, we’ve successfully onboarded an exceptional employee. Highly recommended for anyone seeking recruitment assistance.
Rob Russell, CFO
VirtualStock
Rob Baker and The CFO Practice helped us to rapidly find the right Financial Controller (Kent based) for Chapel Down. I was impressed with Rob’s breadth of knowledge of the broad candidate pool, his ability to source new candidates when the role evolved rather than just recycling existing CVs, his guidance and responsiveness throughout the process and his follow-up after. I would highly recommend him.
Rob Smith, CFO
Chapel Down Group Plc
I have known Robert for over a decade, having worked with him as a candidate and client. My first interaction with Robert was as a candidate. My interview was rigorous and challenging, but I understood he sought the right calibre, quality, and cultural fit for his client. His thorough approach to the candidate search was exactly why I started partnering with Robert on the client side for senior recruitment. His approach works very successfully, delivering many exceptional senior staff to my finance teams over the years. Robert is the person that I turn to for senior recruitment as I know that he will deliver a shortlist of great candidates.
Richard Kozlowski, Group CFO
Jimmy Choo
What is the difference between FP&A and Commercial Finance?
While the functions can overlap, FP&A is typically focused on budgeting, forecasting, financial planning, and performance reporting. Commercial Finance is often more operationally and strategically focused, partnering closely with leadership teams to improve profitability, pricing, business performance, and commercial decision-making.
When should a business hire a Group Financial Controller?
Businesses often hire a Group Financial Controller when financial complexity increases through growth, acquisitions, international expansion, or investor reporting requirements. The role is typically focused on strengthening controls, reporting, governance, and scalable financial infrastructure.
What is the difference between a Financial Controller and a Head of Finance?
Financial Controllers are typically more focused on financial reporting, controls, compliance, and the accuracy of financial information. Heads of Finance often have a broader remit, combining financial oversight with operational leadership, business partnering, cash flow management, and strategic support for the wider business.
When should a business build an FP&A function?
Businesses often invest in FP&A leadership when growth accelerates and decision-making becomes more data-driven. A strong FP&A function improves forecasting, commercial analysis, budgeting, and strategic planning, particularly within investor-backed and scaling businesses.
What makes a strong finance leader in a high-growth business?
High-growth businesses often require finance leaders who combine technical expertise with operational agility, commercial awareness, and the ability to build scalable processes, improve visibility, and support fast-paced decision-making.
When should a business strengthen its finance leadership team?
Businesses often strengthen finance leadership teams during periods of growth, operational change, international expansion, fundraising, M&A activity, or increasing financial complexity. Strengthening finance leadership can improve reporting, operational visibility, strategic decision-making, and scalable infrastructure as businesses evolve.