Fractional CFO, Apotech

Apotech is a Life Science Management Consultancy, delivering outsourced services in Quality and Regulatory! We are now looking for a fractional CFO to drive our finance function forward. You will partner with the co-founders and work alongside our Finance Manager, who owns the day to day running of the finance function, providing strategic direction, oversight, and challenge as we scale.

ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES Act as a strategic finance partner to the co-founders and leadership team, providing insight and challenge on all commercial and financial decisions Set the financial strategy and lead long range planning to support Apotech’s growth Own the board reporting narrative and KPI framework, reviewing the monthly management accounts prepared by the Finance Manager and translating them into decisions for the leadership team Lead budgeting and forecasting across revenue, cost, headcount, and cash flow, working with sales and delivery leaders to build a reliable pipeline view Provide oversight of cash flow, working capital, and treasury across multi currency operations, ensuring the business is well funded through its growth phase Set the framework for best financial practice across the UK and French entities, including consolidated reporting and compliance with local statutory requirements Advise on pricing strategy across the business and provide commercial input on client and supplier contracts Re-design and refine the commission structure for the sales team to ensure it drives the right behaviours and remains commercially sustainable Lead financial planning for US expansion, whether through acquisition or setting up a local office, including entity setup, tax structuring, and transfer pricing Oversee tax and statutory audit across jurisdictions, working with external partners as required Advise on finance systems (Xero) and controls to ensure they scale with the business Coach and develop the Finance Manager and wider future finance team, building capability and succession as the function grows

REQUIRED SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent) with a proven track record as a CFO, Finance Director, or Fractional CFO Experience leading finance for a consulting or professional services firm, with a strong understanding of different pricing models including project based, time and materials arrangements Track record of working through and coaching an in-house Finance Manager or small finance team, rather than owning the day-to-day operational work directly Working knowledge of UK accounting, with experience of French GAAP and ideally US GAAP Experience of multi entity, multi currency consolidation and reporting Track record of supporting international expansion, whether by setting up new offices, entering new markets, or executing acquisitions Familiarity with Xero or comparable cloud accounting systems, and strong financial modelling and Excel skills Commercial mindset with the ability to translate financial insight into clear recommendations for a non-finance leadership team Excellent communication skills, comfortable engaging directly with founders, clients, auditors, and external advisors Comfortable operating at a strategic level in a small, fast moving business, while rolling up sleeves where needed

NICE TO HAVE Experience of the life sciences, pharma services, or regulated industries sector Prior experience of M&A due diligence, deal structuring, or post acquisition integration Experience implementing or administering EMI share option schemes