Head of Finance

Harper May is partnering with an early-stage, mission-led climate-tech business developing high-integrity, nature-based carbon credits at scale. Backed by a strong founding team and an experienced group of investors, the business is now preparing for a Series B fundraise and building out the operating platform that will support the next phase of growth. A Head of Finance is being appointed to own the finance function end to end, partner directly with the COO on planning and controls, and be a key operator through the upcoming raise.

The Role
Reporting directly to the COO and working closely with the wider leadership team, the Head of Finance will own everything from the day-to-day close through to Series B fundraise-ready modelling, board reporting and financial controls. The role is genuinely hands-on and broad: a real chance to own the finance function of a fast-growing climate-tech business and shape the systems, processes and reporting as the company scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close, with a target of audit-ready books by working day 10
• Manage the external bookkeeping partner, reviewing work for accuracy and completeness
• Own statutory compliance across annual accounts, VAT and R&D tax credit filings
• Audit and optimise the finance stack across Xero, CRM, payroll and banking, and design scalable SOPs, expense workflows and spend controls
• Deliver monthly and quarterly financial packages, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and variance analysis
• Own cash flow forecasting and working capital management in a pre-scale environment
• Prepare investor updates and board decks in partnership with the COO and CEO
• Build the multi-year integrated financial model for the Series B fundraise, standing up to VC scrutiny
• Partner with the leadership team on project finance models, unit economics and commercial decisions

What we are looking for

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or equivalent fully completed
• Prior experience in an early-stage start-up or scale-up finance function is essential
• Direct experience of a fundraise, ideally Series A or Series B, including building the model and supporting due diligence
• Strong technical grounding in monthly close, statutory reporting, VAT and R&D tax credits
• Confident with Xero and comfortable configuring and integrating finance systems
• Able to build a multi-year integrated financial model that stands up to VC scrutiny
• Commercially minded, hands-on, and comfortable owning the numbers end to end in a lean team
• UK-based, comfortable working remotely within +/- 2 hours of UK time