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Finance Recruitment

How to Hire a Head of Finance in the UK (2026)

Leading the finance function day to day. How to hire a Head of Finance.
By Mark Wilkinson, Managing Director of Coburg Banks
Mark has over 30 years in recruitment, placing finance and accountancy professionals from Accounts Assistant to Finance Director across the UK.
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A Head of Finance leads the function operationally - reporting, controls, the team and business partnering - usually reporting to an FD or MD. It's a senior, hands-on role where technical strength and leadership both matter.

⚡ In short

A UK Head of Finance typically earns £65k-£95k plus benefits. Expect a placement in 6-12 weeks. Coburg Banks recruits them with no fee until your hire starts.

£65k-£95k

Typical base salary

6-12 weeks

Time to hire

48 hrs

To first shortlist

12 wks

Replacement guarantee

What to look for in a Head of Finance

1

Technical strength

Look for a qualified accountant with solid reporting and controls experience.

2

Team leadership

They lead a finance team. Ask how they've developed and managed one.

3

Business partnering

The best add value to the business, not just the accounts. Probe for it.

How to run the hire

1. Define the remit
Be clear on reporting, controls, team and business-partnering scope.

2. Score for technical and leadership
Weight both strong finance and the ability to lead a team.

3. Source and approach
Approach qualified candidates with relevant experience directly.

4. Test with a scenario
Use a reporting or control issue to hear their judgement.

5. Reference delivery
Confirm they ran a tight function and led their team.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to hire a Head of Finance?

Fees typically run 18-23% of first-year salary, capped and agreed upfront.

You pay nothing until your hire starts.

How long does it take to hire a Head of Finance?

Usually 6-12 weeks, with a shortlist in the first fortnight.

Notice periods and how specialist your sector is shape the timeline.

What does a Head of Finance do?

A Head of Finance leads the finance function operationally - management and statutory reporting, controls, cash, budgeting and the finance team.

They usually report to an FD or MD and are the senior day-to-day finance lead.

Head of Finance or Financial Controller - which do I need?

They overlap. A Head of Finance often carries broader business-partnering and leadership; a Controller focuses more on reporting and controls.

We scope the real remit so the shortlist fits.

What should I ask a Head of Finance at interview?

Try: Walk me through a month-end you improved.
How do you develop a finance team?
Tell me about a control weakness you fixed. and How do you partner with the wider business?

Do you recruit Heads of Finance across sectors?

Yes, across services, manufacturing, technology and not-for-profit.

We match sector where it matters and weight strong finance leadership where it transfers.

External citations

Ready to hire your next Head of Finance?

Tell us about your role and a specialist finance recruiter will call you. No fee until your hire starts.