John Murray

What makes an interim CFO? It’s a lot more than just being available to start a contract. Interim CFO’s have a wealth of experience in all things change management. When they say that have ‘been there, done that’ they mean multiple times, for different businesses within various circumstances. They understand the complex relationship management requirements in the PE space. They are adaptable and flexible and really not phased by much at all. If you need an interim CFO, then look for an interim CFO. Not just someone who can start next week.

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A really interested perspective in this article, although most GFCs would expect to add value, in addition to ensuring appropriate governance and control procedures are in place. It is an enormously valuable role at the group centre of a corporate and often critical on the journey towards the attainment of the CFO role. The more opportunity it has to add value the more attractive it will become, not always the case for some.

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I read a really great article in CFO Magazine A/NZ over the weekend and I wanted to share this with my Senior Finance network who are on the hunt for their next career move. The points highlighted, really echo the sentiment I have heard from CFOs and Finance Leaders I've met with recently. Key takeaways are: ❌ Sharing the same CV across multiple applications - work with me and I'll share the key skills, deliverables and background my client is looking for to ensure you highlight relevant experience and tangible evidence. I'll give you time to tailor your application, to stand-out from your peers. ❌ Preparing for the screening call - Nothing is worse as a recruiter, than a candidate asking "Which role is this for? I've applied for a few..." Please keep a log of your applications so you know ahead of a call and can tailor your responses for the appropriate opportunity. This article really highlights the market shift, and unfortunately for job-seekers, there is now far more competition than there was in the past few years. If you want to be kept front-of-mind when exploring a career move, I am happy to treat you to a coffee and learn about your background and career aspirations, even if I don't have an immediate role for you to fill. So please feel free to reach out if you'd like an informal chat and to partner with a candidate-led recruiter who will take the time to understand what you are looking for and work to find the right opportunity ☕🤝 Link to the article is in the comments 👇🏻 Please contact me directly to arrange a meeting on: 📞0459 621647 📧 [email protected]

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Today's blog post is about budgets and forecasts 😴 BUT, before you fall asleep over this topic, there are some great tips for you to implement to ensure you don't run into stormy waters with your business finances.

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I am seeing a gradual shift in the type of CFO we are being asked to identify and a subtle change in the key priorities that they are being brought on board to deliver.👇 Since the start of 2021, we have had two distinct periods where the type of CFO we are being asked to find has been significantly different and we are moving slowly in the third phase. 2021 - Mid 2022 | There was a major focus on raising capital and exploring every possible avenue of expansion & growth. So a lot of Startups & Investors were looking for CFOs with a background in M&A, Strategy, Investment Banking, International expansion, Fundraising or Corporate Finance.💰📈 Mid 2022 - Early 2024 | There has been and still is a significant focus on cashflow management to extend runway and drive towards profitability. Therefore, a lot of Startups & Investors are looking for experienced CFOs who have previously navigated challenging economic markets, led restructures, and have the character to challenge the business to make tough decisions.⚖️📊 What does this third phase look like?🤔 Well in short, I believe it is a healthy balance of the previous two types of CFO where the main priorities will be to nail: 👉Strong unit economics 👉Capital allocation strategy 👉Communication & Storytelling 👉Exceptional leadership & ability to be hands on 👉Becoming the CEO's Co-Pilot I believe most startups will be looking for CFOs who are: ✅Entrepreneurial but pragmatic ✅Considered but can operate at pace ✅Strategic but not afraid to be hands-on What do you think? *** 🔔 If you enjoy my content, follow me Andrew Waters for more in the future. ♻️ Repost to share with your network. #cfo #startups #founders #hiring #entreprenuership

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Reason to hire an Interim CFO: Gap Management, or is it? Sometimes not everything is as it seems. The COO of a business that had an astronomical growth journey was looking for a CFO to provide cover over a busy period and hold the fort whilst a permanent search for a CFO was undertaken. We introduced a CFO with a similar blueprint of recent career history to the business, to maintain business as usual and free up management to focus on recovering recent world events. Within a few months it was announced that the business had exited to a strategic secondary buy out and the newly appointed permanent CFO announced not long after. The profile of the new CFO was not that of a standalone PE experienced CFO as this isn’t what the new group required. #ceo #leadership #business #entrepreneur #management #strategy #innovation #startup #executive #success #finance #founder #businessowner #corporate #visionary #strategicplanning #businessmindset #leadershipdevelopment #businessgrowth #ceolife #interimcfo #interimFD #privateequity #venturecapital #privatecapital #familyoffice #CFO

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Why Hire an Interim CFO: Ensuring Financial Clarity for Shareholders No matter how prosperous a joint venture appears, if the financials don't align, there's a problem. We were confidentially approached by the majority shareholder of a business to bring clarity and accuracy to their financial reporting and cash management amidst a potentially challenging management team. We brought in a CFO who not only had experience in handling tough professional scenarios but also possessed a calming and approachable demeanor to review the numbers quietly. It quickly became evident that, despite being a promising business, the existing processes, controls, and cash management practices were inadequate. To rectify this, the team required better training and education to enhance their performance. #ceo #leadership #business #entrepreneur #management #strategy #innovation #startup #executive #success #finance #founder #businessowner #corporate #visionary #strategicplanning #businessmindset #leadershipdevelopment #businessgrowth #ceolife #interimcfo #interimFD #privateequity #venturecapital

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How do you keep your CFO happy? Raconteur published an interesting piece today suggesting that due to the demand of PE houses, businesses are struggling to retain their finance leaders and goes on to suggest the best ways to retain them. Regardless of who else might want your CFO, it’s always wise for a CEO to reflect on how satisfied and motivated their CFO is in their role. It's not just because you might lose them if you don’t. The best ways to keep a CFO engaged and motivated are also how you get the greatest value from the role: ➡ Playing a central role in the C-Suite: CEOs need to ensure each of the leadership team actively engage with the CFO and that they are treated as a central part of the C-Suite. Failure to do so will negatively impact the value you get from your CFO, undermine their authority and risks leaving them feeling like an “outsider”. ➡Leading cross-company initiatives: With their bird’s eye view of the business and neutral stance on the Board, programs such as ESG and digital transformation are best led by your CFO. Allowing them to take the lead is the best use of their skills and ensures they remain consistently challenged, which in turn means their less likely to look for new challenges elsewhere. ➡ Delivering strategic insights and creating value: CFOs are so much more than accountants and to ensure the business benefits from their commercial knowledge, keen grasp of the data and birds eye view of the business it’s essential that they are given the opportunity to drive growth. An underutilised CFO is likely to be one looking for a new role. ➡ Recognition and appreciation: Your CFO is unlikely to be the one on your leadership team demanding top billing but it’s surprising how many CFOs I come across are the unsung heroes of the Board. Finance leaders value recognition as much as anyone and are likely to feel far more loyal to a business that celebrates their contribution. It also means the wider business recognises how they can support them and are more likely to Talentarc have been working with leaders of Media, Tech and Consumer businesses for over 15 years to help them identify and retain C-Suite and executive level finance talent. Get in touch if you would like to discuss an upcoming hire or get advice on your next career move. #cfoinsights #executivesearch #cfohires TalentEdge

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Countryside versus Corporate - Final Post So tomorrow we start the journey back down South, and Monday I return to all things NOVA + begin my CFO role search. Today with the Puffins has been a highlight - they get incredibly close! It has been an amazing 3 week break, and yet even with plenty of downtime, the wheels have not stopped turning; - we have signed up a new NOVA Community partner - the NOVA team have dealt with over 30 Member questions and recommendation requests - they have posted over 35 roles into our Market Curious Groups across C Suite, NED, Transformation and Finance - I’ve signed NDAs, taken briefs from recruitment partners, and then sent over appropriate profiles for 3 roles - we have planned another 12 events all driven by Member needs and requests - we have hired another member to join the team This community is so much more than a Founder, or the original starting point, now. And it’s also very different from a lot of what we are seeing out there (although imitation is the best form of flattery!) It’s not owned by a Recruitment Firm or a Consultancy. There’s no “man at the top with purse strings” deciding anything. We do it not for commercial benefit, but because we know the importance of providing a safe environment and framework to further develop great leadership and networking skills. Which is why it runs like a not for profit. Investing back into the community. We believe the saying “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together”. Community matters. Just ask the Puffins! They even live in colonies ☺️ (that is NOT an invite for NOVA Community living….) ⭐️ NOVA Community ⭐️ Charleigh Burroughs Charlotte Burridge

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The volume of CFO vacancies on-market or off-market is gradually increasing. Executive churn is on the rise. CFOs are moving - why? - In some cases, equity may be under water. - They may being replaced (CFOs often are those who suffer if a PE asset isn't performing) - Growth / Optimism: deal flow has seen a slight up tick, resulting in new positions being created. - Restructuring: CFOs with restructuring skills are in demand within struggling assets. I was speaking to an experienced CFO today about the PE market. They said it's a tricky dynamic. When selecting a role, you're putting all your eggs in one basket, hoping the business you choose reaches the exit they desire. Whilst an experienced CFO with multiple exits under their belt can afford to take a risk or for one cycle to not reach the successful conclusion throughout a challenging market, it's so important to make the right choice if you're looking at your first CFO role... As a CFO, it's important to really build your personal scorecard and that first CFO position carries a lot of weight when you look at your next role. Do... - Get to know the team really well. This is so critical. Are they good people? - Dive deep into the realism of the investment thesis. - Move laterally on comp. This first CFO role shouldn't be about cash. - Explore opportunities in a less glamorous / less preferential industry to prove yourself in the CFO seat. Don't... - Take a hugely risky role just to become a CFO. Patience is key! - Work with leaders you don't rate just because of the CFO title. - Believe figures without seeing the numbers yourselves. - Take a role because it is the best paying position you can find. Any thoughts? Camino Search

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Why Retain Trace – Expert Accountancy Recruitment for your Senior Accountancy & Finance Appointments  👉 We are experts at helping clients build great finance teams, at all levels  👉 We have a toolkit meaning shortlists are assessed before they get to you  👉 There are countless case studies of great delivery across FS, C&I and NFP  👉 Tap into our knowledge – there is so much experience you can lean on  👉 We have access to people other Competitors may not due to the strength of our interpersonal relationships  👉 We will charge less for more, if the partnership is there  👉 Our only interest is great service, zero miss-hires, and long-term trusted relationships We have a great leadership team with many many years’ experience, across various London & South East Consultancies. Our SLT may be getting on a bit (🧓), but I reckon that bodes well when it comes to our networks and abilities to consult, search, assess & manage senior appointments. You know where we are. 📲 Gareth Cowan (he/him) Gemma Smith Simon Humphreys Jessica Fryer Deniz Dervish Harry Coleman

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😵 Staggering how many companies are formed annually. Great for accountants😄, but this puts pressure on resources in the industry and yet again pushes up the cost of the commodity which is accountant time...🤨 When will software come in and reset the industry? https://lnkd.in/gaM67Y3X #accounting #company #business #finance

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Maybe we should all become interims... Ollie Watkins - thoughts? This morning's light read was about the world of interims - I know, I'm pretty wild. Interestingly, interim finance roles in London are on the rise - up 15% this year! Businesses are turning to interim professionals for their expertise in critical areas like financial planning, analysis, and reporting, enabling them to adapt quickly without the long-term commitment of permanent hires. They appreciate the fresh perspectives that interim talent brings, allowing them to tackle challenges effectively and seize new opportunities. The projected growth for interim finance roles in London for 2025 is expected to remain strong, with estimates indicating an increase of around 10-12%. Here’s to ending the week on a high note and gearing up for exciting opportunities ahead!

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