Cfo jobs in United Kingdom

Fractional CFO

Department: Finance
Employment Type: Contract / Temp
Location: Africa
Reporting To: CEO/MD

Allied Talent Partners (ATP), a Three Cairns Group initiative, is a mission-driven, not-for-profit talent marketplace focused on solving the human capital bottlenecks slowing down sustainable development efforts in emerging economies, with an initial focus on Africa. ATP connects vetted, experienced, context-relevant professionals to high-impact opportunities in energy access and sustainable development - strengthening local capacity and fuelling economic vitality. We specialize in fixed-term, deliverable-driven engagements - from interim leadership and generalist projects to niche technical expertise - handling project scoping, talent vetting and matching, contracting, payroll, and compliance so that our clients can focus on impact.

High-Level Overview

The client is seeking a Fractional CFO / Financial Controller to support portfolio companies during the early post-investment phase. The role is focused on assessing, stabilising, and strengthening financial management, reporting, and controls in line with investor expectations and best practice. Operating closely with investee management teams and the client's investment professionals, the Fractional CFO will play a hands-on, delivery-oriented role. The position requires a senior finance professional who can rapidly diagnose gaps, design practical improvement roadmaps, and support execution in SME environments across frontier markets.

Role: Fractional CFO
Direct Report: CEO/MD
Candidates Required: Multiple (deployed across different investees and geographies)
Key Deliverables:

Finance Function & Strategy Assessment

• Review existing financial systems, processes, and reporting
• Assess the quality, reliability, and timeliness of financial data and management accounts
• Review cash flow management, working capital, and liquidity practices
• Evaluate internal financial controls and accounting practices
• Review the current financial strategy in the context of the business plan and operating model
• Assess funding requirements, liquidity needs, and capital adequacy relative to planned growth and current operations
• Identify gaps relative to investor and lender expectations
• Highlight priority improvement areas aligned with company size and stage

Roadmap Design

• Develop a clear, prioritised roadmap covering finance function, controls, and financial strategy
• Distinguish between immediate quick wins and medium-term improvements
• Align the roadmap with business objectives, investor reporting, and covenant requirements

Implementation & Advisory Support

• Support management in executing agreed improvements
• Provide hands-on guidance and coaching to internal finance teams
• Support fundraising or refinancing processes, including preparation of financial information, models, and responses to investor or lender queries
• Act as a trusted finance advisor to investee management and the investment team

Experience Required:

• Senior finance leadership experience (CFO or Financial Controller level)
• Proven experience working with SMEs in frontier or emerging markets
• Track record of professionalising finance functions in post-investment or growth environments
• Sector experience preferred in manufacturing, renewable energy, or trading/wholesale

Technical Requirements:

• Bachelor\'s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, or a related field
• Professional accounting qualification (e.g. CA, CPA, ACCA, or equivalent) strongly preferred
• Additional qualifications in corporate finance, financial management, or related disciplines considered an advantage
• Strong understanding of financial management, controls, and reporting
• Experience assessing financial strategy and funding requirements
• Strong financial planning, analysis, and cash flow management capabilities
• Ability to translate investor and lender requirements into practical operational solutions

Other Skills:

• Strong end-to-end ownership with the ability to operate independently in ambiguous, evolving environments
• High level of judgement and discretion when working with sensitive financial and investor information
• Ability to build trust quickly with investee management teams and investment professionals
• Clear, confident communicator able to translate complex financial issues into practical guidance
• Hands-on, pragmatic, and delivery-oriented, with a strong bias toward execution

Location: Kenya, Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo

Travel: Travel may be required, subject to investee and project needs

Terms of agreement:

Start Date: TBC

Contracting Period: Part-time (1-2 days a week), duration based on investee company needs