Strategy & Direction

Level 01

Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

The Visionary

Focused entirely on the future. The CFO connects your financial data to your long-term business goals. They are your partner in fundraising, exit planning, and high-stakes decision making.

Qualification Level

Significant post qualification experienced at a high level, credentialed executive (FCA, CFA, or MBA) with specialised background in capital markets, fundraising, and M&A.

Core Focus

Capital structure, enterprise value, and high-stakes financial events.

Remit

Focused entirely on the external future of the business. The CFO connects the financial data to the founder’s ultimate end-goal.

  • Fundraising & Investor Relations
  • M&A and Exit Strategy
  • Capital Structure Optimisation
  • Executive Board Advisory
Level 02

Finance Director

The Planner

Translates the vision into numbers. The Finance Director ensures the business has a viable financial roadmap. They own the budget, the forecast, and the commercial analysis.

Qualification Level

Senior qualified professional (FCA, FCCA, FCMA) with significant post qualification experience and a proven track record in commercial strategy and financial modelling.

Core Focus

Commercial strategy, forecasting, and board-level advisory.

Remit

The FD ensures the business has a viable, profitable roadmap. They translate the numbers into actionable business decisions.

  • Annual Budgeting & Forecasting
  • Board Pack Presentation
  • Pricing & Margin Analysis
  • Commercial Business Partnering

Control & Compliance

Level 03

Financial Controller

The Guardian

Ensures accuracy and compliance. The Controller closes the books, manages the audit, and ensures that the numbers reported are strictly accurate and compliant with regulations.

Qualification Level

Fully qualified chartered accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in statutory compliance and audit.

Core Focus

Risk management, technical architecture, and statutory compliance.

Remit

The Controller is the safety net. They do not process data; they review it, ensure it complies with the law, and design the systems the rest of the team use.

  • Month-End Close Review
  • Statutory Accounts & Audit
  • Internal Controls & Governance
  • Tech Stack Implementation
Level 04

Finance Manager

The Engine Room

Keeps the cash moving. The Finance Manager oversees the operational heartbeat of the finance function—payroll, tax payments, and cash flow management.

Qualification Level

Usually qualified or qualified to at least managerial level (ACCA, CIMA, ACA) or highly experienced professional (QBE) with deep operational software expertise.

Core Focus

Operational liquidity, team oversight, tax filings, and system ownership

Remit

The operational heartbeat. The FM oversees the L5 and L6 team, acting as the day-to-day owner of the finance software and ensuring cash is managed safely.

  • Cash Flow Management
  • Payroll & HR Finance
  • Tax Compliance (VAT/Corp Tax)
  • Operational Team Management

Foundation & Operations

Level 05

Management Accountant

The Analyst

Prepares the data. They take the raw transactional data and turn it into usable reports, calculating accruals, prepayments, and initial variance analysis.

Qualification Level

Usually part-qualified or recently qualified in a professional accounting body (e.g., CIMA or ACCA)

Core Focus

Data preparation, month-end adjustments, and management reporting design.

Remit

Takes the raw data from the Ledger Clerk and applies accounting principles to ensure the Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet are a true reflection of the month's trading.

  • Balance Sheet Reconciliations
  • Month-End Journals
  • Variance Analysis
  • Fixed Asset Register
Level 06

Ledger Clerk

The Foundation

The bedrock of accuracy. They ensure every invoice is processed, every bank transaction is matched, and the raw data entering the system is clean.

Qualification Level

Typically studying towards or holds a foundational bookkeeping qualification (e.g., AAT or ICB).

Core Focus

High-volume, accurate data processing and basic reconciliations.

Remit

The Ledger Clerk never touches complex journals and operates strictly under the supervision of a Management Accountant or Finance Manager. Their sole focus is ensuring the raw data entering the system is perfectly accurate before it moves up the chain.

  • Accounts Payable (Bill Pay)
  • Accounts Receivable (Invoicing)
  • Daily Bank Reconciliation
  • Expense Management

Don't know what you need?

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