Job Description

Sharp Consultancy's Salary Survey 2025/26: Resetting the Landscape: Strategic Shifts in Finance Recruitment
It would be remiss not to start by addressing the elephant in the room - 2024 was a challenging year.While there were many reasons for this and numerous industries were affected, recruitment likely bore the brunt of it, particularly in the 6 months post-election(s).Whilst key roles and critical hires remained unaffected, certain head counts and processes were scrutinised and investment paused with internal restructures and automation utilised to reduce costs, in some instances, at the expense of employees. We subsequently saw an increase in candidate activity, with the talent pool strengthening. As those pressures eased in Quarter 4, recruitment processes saw improvement and green shoots have emerged. Optimism is on the rise in key hiring processes, albeit with a caveat. The cloud of additional cost increases in April, which is still dissipating. The senior finance and C-Suite market remains relatively unaffected, both regarding opportunities and candidates, it is the levels below that we have seen more change. In the evolving landscape of working dynamics, the volume of hybrid working is gradually waning despite sustained interest from candidates, presenting fewer job opportunities. While the blend of office and remote work remains desirable, it is no longer the predominant factor, indicating a notable shift in priorities for clients and candidates' acceptance alike. Conversations with candidates underscore a growing desire around the importance of having a supportive mentor or manager and many professionals are increasingly open to a full-time return to the office if it guarantees enhanced guidance and avenues for professional advancement. "The salaries throughout transactional finance have stabilised across the region."Throughout the professional practice market, some similar trends have been observed but there have been noticeable differences in the past year. Salaries across the range of candidates in professional practice, from AAT to fully Qualified (ACA/ACCA) individuals are still rising and those firm's able to offer competitive salaries alongside stronger training contracts are beating out the competition in a candidate market with a growing focus on study support packages and career advancement opportunities for Part-Qualified candidates, indicating an increase in demand from employers and the volume of available job seekers. The salaries throughout transactional finance have stabilised across the region, in what feels like the longest period of stability seen since Q4 2020 and we expect transactional finance salaries to remain stable throughout 2025/26, with anticipated salary increments to be moderate compared to the significant increases observed throughout the last 2 years. AI & Systems (process automation) continues to impact accountancy and finance, in particular, across larger functions but this has increased the need for wider interim support to assist with the transition and implementation especially with large, automated processes. Whilst 2025-26 will not be the same marketplace for recruitment as seen in previous years, there is certainly a growing level of optimism and whilst a more settled market may be seen as a negative in some areas, for those that have weathered the peaks and troughs over a longer period of time, it will feel very normal and a strong setting for both employees and employers to take advantage and thrive, with an increasing emphasis on growth and development.Download the full Salary Survey here!
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Job details Posted 03 June 2025 Salary 375,000 - 385,000 + Bonus + Pension + Healthcare + LTIP Opportunity LocationSheffield Job type Discipline , ReferenceAP40298PA
Consultant
Regional Director
Finance Director
Job description
Sharp Consultancy have been retained as the exclusive partner for a fast-growing private equity backed client within the North Sheffield region who are recruiting an FD to join the business to lead across finance and support the MD and SLT as they embark on the next stage of business growth and development after recent investment via PE.
Our client is a sub 320m T/O business who has successfully grown from a bespoke manufacturer into a specialist market leader with an international presence.
Due to recent successes and subsequent investment through third party investment, as well as a strong cash position, the board have been able to establish a more dynamic growth strategy and will be looking to grow the business significantly over the next 2-3 years.
The business has a range of key clients and is a production and bespoke development specialist providing products and support to significant multi-national clients and their customers in high end settings.
You will be the lead in finance, responsible for a small team and the development and growth of that team
You will create and develop strong accounts processes with a particular focus on projects and financial analysis
You will take responsibility for the monthly management accounts process, the financial year end and the year end audit
You will lead across external partnering and be the key decision maker for banking, insurances, investment and R&D.
You will work closely with the owner and lead across a senior level throughout the business, in particular developing strong finance ownership including reviews and analysis to aid commercial decision making
You must have the ability to provide robust finance leadership with significant responsibility for performance and leadership of a growing SME
You will lead across wider growth strategies, including M&A and investment opportunities
You must be able to demonstrate strong leadership and management capabilities, in particular within a board setting
All applicants must be qualified and this role could suit somebody making a first move into an FD role, or likewise someone who has already worked at that level. What is essential, is that you can show a strong level of commercial leadership with clear understanding of MI and business improvements via strong finance processes.
Any previous experience of manufacturing, production or design with operational exposure in business would be highly advantageous but not necessarily essential.
You must possess strong management and coaching skills, be an excellent communicator and lead with the required gravitas to drive the business at all levels.
If you are interested in the above vacancy, or alternatively are only tentatively looking please do not hesitate to contact me completely confidentially in the first instance.
Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years' experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all divisions of an accounts function.
Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. To apply please send your CV to the e-mail address stated, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within seven days, please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.
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