[Hiring] Group Chief Financial Officer @Remote Choice

Role Description

The Group Chief Financial Officer will take full ownership of the Group's financial strategy, reporting, cash management, capital planning and financial governance across UK and international entities.

Reporting to the Group Chairman, with direct access to the Board and its Audit and Risk Committee, the successful candidate will work closely with investors and lenders, providing one reliable and consistent set of financial information, maintaining accurate cash forecasts and ensuring robust financial controls.

The role will also be instrumental in ensuring the Group remains prepared for capital raising, acquisitions and other corporate transactions.

As part of an AI-first organisation, the CFO will be expected to lead a lean, high-performing finance function, leveraging automation, integrated systems and AI agents to improve efficiency rather than increasing headcount.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Strategy and Planning:
  • Own the Group budget, monthly Group forecast and rolling 13-week cash forecast.
  • Build and maintain the Group financial model, including scenario and sensitivity analysis for new ventures, carriers and acquisitions.
  • Establish and maintain a consistent Group definition of revenue, recognising cash received for cash-flow purposes and bound and invoiced margin for profit and loss.
  • Apply appropriate cash controls and approval gates to new hires and ventures.
• Reporting and Consolidation:
  • Deliver monthly management accounts and a consolidated Group financial view across UK and international entities.
  • Prepare and deliver the monthly Board finance pack and weekly Friday finance one-pager.
  • Lead year-end reporting, statutory accounts preparation and audits across Group entities.
  • Maintain accurate, reconciled, and reporting-ready financial ledgers using Xero.
• Cash, Treasury and Client Money:
  • Maintain daily cash visibility and oversee banking arrangements across the Group.
  • Oversee the segregation and reconciliation of client and insurer funds.
  • Support the capital and solvency requirements of the licensed entities backed by the Group.
• Capital Management and Corporate Transactions:
  • Prepare and maintain investor and lender materials, financial data rooms and the financial components of capital-raising documentation.
  • Lead financial due diligence for acquisitions and strategic partnerships.
  • Provide financial leadership and support for potential sales or partial disposals of Group businesses.
  • Manage investor and lender reporting obligations, including financial covenants.
• Financial Controls, Tax and Risk Management:
  • Own and maintain the Group's approvals matrix, payment controls and segregation of duties.
  • Manage VAT, Insurance Premium Tax, corporation tax and cross-border tax matters.
  • Report financial risks to the Board and ensure the finance-related elements of the Group risk register remain accurate and current.
• Finance Team Leadership, Systems and Automation:
  • Lead, manage and develop the Group finance team.
  • Drive automation across reconciliations, reporting and forecasting.
  • Work closely with the Head of Agentic Operations to improve finance processes and systems.
  • Deliver measurable operational efficiencies while maintaining a lean finance structure.

Key Performance Measures

• Month-End Close: Management accounts closed within 5 working days of month-end by month 3.
• Cash Forecasting: Rolling 13-week cash forecast maintained within 10% of actual results.
• Board Reporting: Monthly Board finance pack issued within 10 working days of month end, every month.
• Revenue and Margin Reconciliation: Group revenue and margin reconciled to Xero monthly, with no unexplained differences.
• Audit Compliance: Statutory audits completed on time with no material adjustments or qualifications.
• Capital Readiness: Financial data room and capital-raising financial information maintained at all times.
• Automation and Efficiency: Demonstrable reduction in manual finance hours each quarter.

Qualifications

• Qualified Chartered Accountant or equivalent, holding CA(SA), ACA, ACCA or CIMA accreditation.
• A minimum of 10 years' post-qualification experience, including at least 3 years in a CFO, Finance Director or Head of Finance position.
• Previous experience within insurance, insurance intermediary businesses or the wider financial services sector.
• Proven experience managing multi-entity and multi-currency financial consolidation under IFRS or UK GAAP (FRS 102).
• Demonstrated expertise in cash-flow management, treasury operations and maintaining strong cash discipline.
• Direct involvement in at least one capital raise, acquisition, refinancing, or business sale process.
• Advanced financial modelling capabilities and strong working knowledge of a cloud-based accounting platform such as Xero or equivalent.
• Ability to prepare and present clear, concise financial reports to senior boards, investors and lenders.

Desirable Qualifications, Skills and Experience

• Exposure to the London insurance market, Lloyd's or offshore insurance jurisdictions.
• Knowledge of client money handling requirements within insurance intermediary businesses.
• Previous experience working remotely from South Africa for a UK-headquartered group.
• A proven track record of implementing finance automation, process improvements and AI-enabled financial tools.
• Experience within surety, construction insurance, or real estate finance.