UK CFO for Startups

Become a CFO and create your own future

This is a rare opportunity to take that next step from Finance Manager to CFO, while also helping to build a business in the vibrant startup scene as a key partner in our expansion from Australia to the UK.

Well-trodden paths are exactly that. Trodden. If you’re a senior accountant or finance manager looking to step up but off the beaten track, we get it. That’s why we created our own firm dedicated to helping startup founders succeed and create stronger futures.

We’re Standard Ledger – a virtual accounting, CFO and advisory firm. Now in our sixth year in Australia, we’re preparing to launch in the UK with the right founding partner on board. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to create your own future with our backing and support. That means less risk, more flexibility, more fun and a chance to challenge yourself in a fast-paced startup environment. We can’t wait.

ABOUT YOU AND THE OPPORTUNITY

We’re looking for an entrepreneurially minded accountant or finance manager. Some might say that’s an oxymoron. If you’re googling the definition of that, great because in this role you’ll do that a lot – roll up your sleeves and figure things out as you:

• Get to know our services and how they can help UK-based startups
• Work on business development and network with founder communities, especially in the tech startup space
• Bring in startup clients and work with them as a part-time operational Finance Director
• Help startups get cash, survive and grow

You’ll be empowered and supported by us of course, a friendly focused bunch in a vertically integrated tech-enabled firm. You’ll also be supported by a local on-the-ground community manager working to build the UK practice, together.

On paper, you’ll be a chartered accountant with at least five years’ experience, ideally having worked with small businesses and had some P&L responsibility. You might be in a practice or company, or looking at returning to work after time out with family.

At heart, you’re a curious continual learner so you’ll thrive in the startup ecosystem of co-working spaces and accelerators. You’ll spot opportunities and synergies between potential partners and technology solutions, and you’ll enjoy finding and trying new ways of doing things.

Your clients’ success is important to you, on a business level but also on a personal level as an empathetic person who understands businesses are not just about products and profits. They’re about people. Including you, as you build the UK business that you share in – shaping and executing growth plans and reporting to our Australian founders.

NOT YOUR AVERAGE MONTH

Well, not in a traditional accounting firm anyway. Here’s what you might get up to in a month with us:

• Represent Standard Ledger based out of a London coworking space alongside our clients
• Work on business development opportunities within the startup ecosystem with our Community Manager
• Depending on your skill set, you’ll provide CFO, accounting, tax, R&D and grant and advisory services to clients, leveraging from our team
• Help startups manage their operations effectively, such as streamlining complex payments/invoicing systems and integration issues
• Help clients manage and grow their businesses (not just meet accounting standards and HMRC obligations)
• Help clients access funding by leveraging our partnerships in R&D forward funding, valuations and equity crowdfunding
• Assist startup clients with capital raising
• Benefit from our marketing, networks and growing brand to attract diverse and interesting clients
• Present at workshops/webinars on finance subjects for startups and fast-growing SMEs

Requirements

You’re an accountant and finance manager who is energetic and entrepreneurially minded, with aspirations to learn and grow to be a CFO in the exciting startup space. You have a track record of leaning into clients’ businesses and helping them grow.

You’re good at spotting opportunities, synergies and different ways of doing things, and you’re able to provide sound strategic advice at each stage of a business’s evolution. But you’re not precious. We do have a team behind us but you’ll still need to get into the financial weeds sometimes. And did you say you’ve had experience or exposure in the startup space?

Benefits

As well as your salary, there’s also the possibility of owning part of the bigger picture with equity in our business via our employee share scheme.

We're a WORK180 endorsed employer, which means we're committed to doing our bit to improve workplace standards for all women. At a personal level, we're keen to talk about what you need to make working with us, work for you.

We also believe in birthday leave, because sometimes a little time off means a lot 🙂.