Harper May Ltd

Harper May is working with a PE-backed retail group operating across fashion and lifestyle. The business has grown through acquisition over the past two years and now operates 40+ stores alongside a strengthened digital channel. The finance function is expanding to support tighter commercial oversight and integration planning. The business is now seeking a Finance Analyst to build capability in performance reporting and planning. The Role Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will own daily financial analysis and reporting across store operations and online sales. This role sits at the heart of commercial decision-making in a business moving fast. You'll be qualified or part-qualified and ready to deepen your retail finance experience in a structured, growing environment. Prepare weekly and monthly management accounts with clear variance commentary Track sales, cost of sales, and profitability by store and channel Build and maintain financial models to support budget and reforecast cycles Review cash flow, working capital, and liquidity on a rolling basis Support the finance team with balance sheet reconciliations and period-end close Identify and escalate material variances and control issues Liaise with store managers and commercial teams to explain financial performance What we are looking for ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified or part-qualified At least two years' finance experience in retail or multi-site operations Confident with Excel, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and financial modelling Sound grasp of gross margin, cost allocation, and inventory accounting Able to explain numbers clearly to non-finance colleagues without jargon Self-sufficient, accurate, and comfortable under regular reporting deadlines

Harper May is working with a London-based financial services firm managing assets across investment and wealth management. Founded in 2008 and backed by a strategic investor, the business has grown steadily to around 150 staff and £2bn in AUM. Over the past eighteen months, the firm has expanded its distribution capability and raised a new institutional fund, which has put pressure on the current finance team to handle more complex allocations and reporting. They are now seeking an FP&A Manager to strengthen planning and analysis capability across both business lines. The Role Reporting to the Finance Director, you will own the monthly and quarterly planning cycle, build multi-year financial models for the business, and deliver performance insight to board and senior leadership. The role is newly created and sits at the heart of strategic decision-making, giving you direct exposure to fund launches, acquisition evaluation, and cost management initiatives. Key Responsibilities Develop and own the annual budget and rolling forecast, liaising with all business units Build financial models for scenario planning, new product evaluation, and business case assessment Produce monthly management accounts with clear variance reporting and commentary Analyse revenue streams, fund performance, and operating cost drivers to support strategic choices Prepare board-level financial dashboards and supporting analysis Automate and improve FP&A processes to reduce manual work and increase reporting speed Work with senior stakeholders to translate financial data into clear business insight What we are looking for ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified (or equivalent professional qualification) Four to six years of FP&A or commercial finance experience, ideally in financial services or asset management Proficiency in Excel and financial modelling; comfortable with ERP systems Ability to communicate complex financial concepts clearly to non-financial audiences Proactive problem-solver with strong attention to detail and ownership mindset Experience working in a regulated or compliance-conscious environment

Harper May is working with a London-based financial services firm that manages assets across multiple investment mandates. The business has grown steadily over the past three years and is now expanding its internal finance function to strengthen real-time visibility and analytical rigour across the investment and operations divisions. They are now seeking a Finance Analyst to build out reporting capability and provide data-driven insight to senior stakeholders. The Role Reporting to the Finance Manager, you will own the preparation and analysis of monthly financial statements, support strategic planning cycles, and deliver ad-hoc analysis on operational and commercial performance. The role sits within a lean finance team and offers genuine exposure to the full finance cycle, working in an environment where accuracy and evidence matter. Key Responsibilities Prepare monthly management accounts with detailed commentary on variances and trends Support annual budget and quarterly reforecasting processes Build and maintain financial models to test scenarios and forecast cash flow Analyse departmental P&Ls, costs, and key performance metrics to support commercial decisions Assist with year-end close procedures and external audit support Develop spreadsheet-based tools and dashboards to improve reporting efficiency Liaise with operational teams to gather data and explain financial outcomes What we are looking for ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, or equivalent finance qualification with practical accounting experience Prior experience in financial services, investment management, or a compliance-heavy sector Strong technical Excel skills, including pivot tables, VLOOKUP, and multi-sheet modelling Ability to extract data from financial systems and produce clear, structured reports Methodical approach to problem-solving with a focus on accuracy and timeliness Clear communicator who can explain financial outcomes to both finance and non-finance audiences

Harper May is partnering with an evolving financial services organisation to appoint a strategic Finance Director . As the business enters a pivotal growth phase, this role will be instrumental in enhancing financial visibility, driving performance, and maturing the firm's finance capability within a regulated landscape. The Role Reporting to the Executive leadership, the Finance Director will assume full accountability for the finance function. This high-impact role requires a leader who can balance technical financial control with the foresight needed to drive strategic initiatives. You will act as a key architect in the firm's development, ensuring finance is a value-adding partner to the wider business. Key Responsibilities Strategic Leadership: Direct and evolve the finance function to support long-term scaling and corporate objectives. Commercial Insight: Provide high-level intelligence to the Executive team, identifying profitability drivers and advising on business performance. Reporting & Analysis: Oversee the delivery of comprehensive management information and board packs, ensuring clarity on the firm's financial trajectory. Planning & Forecasting: Lead budgeting and long-term financial planning cycles, aligning fiscal strategy with growth targets. Systems & Process: Proactively implement improvements to financial systems, automation, and reporting frameworks. Capital & Cash Management: Rigorously monitor cash flow, liquidity, and the firm's overall financial position. Governance & Control: Maintain the highest standards of financial integrity and robust controls in line with regulatory requirements. Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a trusted advisor to senior stakeholders, translating complex data into strategic narratives. Team Development: Lead and mentor a high-performing finance team, fostering a culture of excellence and commercial curiosity. Candidate Profile Qualifications: Fully ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with significant post-qualification experience. Sector Expertise: Proven track record at a senior level (FD or Head of Finance) within Financial Services or a similarly regulated environment. Strategic Vision: A leader who looks beyond the ledger to provide genuine commercial direction. Technical Mastery: Exceptional reporting and analytical skills with a meticulous approach to data integrity. Leadership: Strong experience in professionalising finance teams and developing talent. Communication: An influential communicator capable of building immediate rapport with Board-level stakeholders.

A scaling, product-led technology business is strengthening its leadership team as it moves into its next stage of growth. With increasing operational complexity and continued investment in product development, the business is focused on improving financial visibility, tightening control, and ensuring decision-making is supported by clear commercial insight. They are now seeking a Head of Finance to lead the finance function and provide robust financial and commercial oversight as the organisation continues to develop. The Role Reporting to the CEO and working closely with senior stakeholders, the Head of Finance will take ownership of financial operations, reporting, and commercial insight. This role blends hands-on leadership with strategic input, supporting decision-making across product development, commercial planning, and growth initiatives, while ensuring governance and reporting remain scalable. Key Responsibilities Lead day-to-day financial operations, reporting, and control across the business Produce accurate management accounts with clear analysis and commercial insight Own budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management Partner with senior leadership on pricing, unit economics, and growth initiatives Provide financial insight on product development, investment, and scaling decisions Build, manage, and develop the finance team and external advisers Ensure robust financial controls, governance, and scalable reporting processes Oversee statutory reporting, audit processes, and compliance with accounting standards Support fundraising activity, investor reporting, and stakeholder communication Candidate Profile ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified Background in technology, software, or high-growth, product-led businesses Strong commercial mindset with experience supporting scaling organisations Hands-on leader with strong technical accounting and reporting capability Confident communicator able to work closely with senior stakeholders Experience operating in investor-backed or high-growth environments is desirable

Harper May is partnering with a fast-growing and innovative Media & Events company that has recently completed a major acquisition, reinforcing its position as one of the UK's most dynamic players in the sector. With ambitious plans to expand into new markets over the next five years, the business is now seeking an experienced FP&A Manager to help shape financial strategy and support ongoing commercial success. Role Overview: The FP&A Manager will work closely with senior leadership to deliver robust financial planning, accurate forecasting, and insightful analysis. This role will play a central part in driving efficiency, profitability, and long-term business growth during a pivotal stage in the company's development. Key Responsibilities: Support the development of medium and long-term financial plans in collaboration with senior leadership Lead budgeting processes and ensure alignment across departments Provide insightful analysis on market trends, competitor activity, and performance drivers Deliver monthly forecasting and financial reporting across revenue, cost, and margin metrics Manage and develop a team of four, including finance and purchasing functions Conduct margin analysis to support commercial and operational decision-making Support finance systems reporting; experience with SAP, F&B Shop, or Opera is desirable Key Requirements: Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) Proven experience in an FP&A leadership role, ideally within media, events, or a fast-paced commercial environment Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills Strong analytical and commercial acumen Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills Well-organised with a hands-on and proactive approach

Retail moves quickly, and the finance function has to keep pace without losing control. This business is strengthening its financial leadership to support performance, margin discipline, and confident decision-making as trading activity continues to develop across both store and digital channels. They are now seeking a Financial Controller to lead day-to-day finance delivery, improve reporting quality, and provide clear insight to senior stakeholders. The Role Reporting to the Finance Director, the Financial Controller will take ownership of financial reporting, controls, and governance, while managing a dedicated finance team. The role combines strong technical oversight with commercial partnering, supporting planning, working capital discipline, and stakeholder reporting within a fast-paced retail environment. Key Responsibilities Prepare management accounts and Board-level reporting to support decision-making and performance review Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, aligning plans with business objectives Oversee revenue recognition processes and maintain strong supporting documentation and controls Manage investor reporting requirements, ensuring clear and consistent performance insight Monitor working capital on a regular basis, focusing on cash, accrued income, and debtor balances Oversee payroll, pensions, tax compliance (including VAT and corporation tax), and treasury processes Lead statutory reporting and manage the year-end audit process Maintain strong financial controls, governance, and balance sheet integrity Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team Candidate Profile Proven experience as a Financial Controller within retail or a product-led environment ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with strong technical accounting and reporting capability Experience supporting investor reporting is advantageous Strong Excel and financial modelling capability Confident communicator able to work effectively across departments and with senior stakeholders Detail-focused, with the ability to manage deadlines in a fast-paced environment