Head of Finance – FinTech / EMI

Company Description

We are a UK-licensed Electronic Money Institution (EMI), building modern financial infrastructure across accounts, payments, cards, FX, and analytics.

The Role

We are looking for an experienced and commercially minded Head of Finance to take ownership of our finance function and support the company through its next stage of growth.

This is a senior leadership role combining financial management, regulatory expertise, strategic planning, and hands-on execution within a fast-growing fintech environment.

We are not looking for a traditional accounting-focused professional. We need a finance leader who can build, manage, and scale a strong financial function while actively contributing to business strategy and commercial decision-making.

You will work closely with senior management, take responsibility for financial performance and governance across multiple entities, strengthen internal controls, and develop the systems and processes required to support a growing regulated financial business.

This is a highly hands-on role requiring strong ownership, independence, and the ability to operate both strategically and operationally. As the business grows, you will be responsible for developing and leading the finance team.

What You’ll Do

Financial Leadership & Strategy

• Take ownership of the company's finance function and establish a scalable financial management framework
• Develop financial policies, processes, controls, and reporting structures across group entities
• Work closely with senior management on financial strategy, business planning, and growth initiatives
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, cashflow planning, and financial performance analysis
• Provide financial insights and recommendations to support strategic and commercial decisions
• Develop financial models and business cases for new products, markets, and investment opportunities

Financial Management & Control

• Oversee management accounts, P&L, balance sheet, cashflow reporting, and month-end closing
• Ensure accuracy, completeness, and integrity of financial information across the business
• Establish and maintain strong financial controls and reconciliation processes
• Oversee accounting activities and coordinate with external accountants and auditors
• Manage statutory reporting, tax-related obligations, and annual audits
• Ensure financial reporting is accurate, timely, and audit-ready

Regulatory Finance & EMI Compliance

• Oversee financial processes and controls required within a regulated EMI environment
• Manage safeguarding reconciliations, regulatory capital monitoring, and liquidity controls
• Coordinate FCA financial and regulatory reporting requirements
• Ensure compliance with relevant UK accounting standards, HMRC requirements, and financial regulations
• Work closely with Compliance and Risk teams to maintain financial governance and regulatory readiness
• Identify and address financial and regulatory risks

Treasury, Payments & Financial Infrastructure

• Oversee treasury operations, cashflow management, and liquidity planning
• Manage financial reconciliations across banks, payment providers, card schemes, and internal systems
• Develop financial controls supporting payment processing, accounts, cards, acquiring, and FX operations
• Work with Operations and Product teams on financial aspects of new products and provider integrations
• Support pricing structures, transaction fees, and financial performance analysis across product lines
• Ensure accurate financial data flows between payment platforms and accounting systems

Financial Planning & Business Performance

• Develop budgets, financial forecasts, and scenario models

Systems & Process Development

• Design and implement scalable financial workflows and internal procedures
• Improve and automate accounting, reconciliation, and reporting processes
• Take ownership of finance systems such as Xero, QuickBooks, or similar platforms
• Support integration of financial systems with banking and payment infrastructure
• Lead improvements in financial data quality, reporting, and operational efficiency
• Participate in future ERP and financial system implementation projects

Finance Team Development

• Establish clear responsibilities, workflows, and standards within the finance function
• Coordinate external accountants, auditors, and finance service providers
• Recruit, develop, and manage finance team members as the business grows
• Build a finance function capable of supporting international expansion and increasing regulatory requirements
• Promote financial discipline, accountability, and continuous improvement across the organisation

What We’re Looking For

• 5+ years of progressive experience in finance, including experience in a Finance Manager, Financial Controller, Head of Finance, or similar senior finance role
• Strong experience within FinTech, payments, EMI, banking, or regulated financial services
• Proven ability to take ownership of financial processes, reporting, and internal controls
• Practical understanding of safeguarding, financial reconciliations, and regulatory financial requirements

Nice to Have

• Experience with FCA reporting, EMI safeguarding, and regulatory capital requirements
• Experience in a UK-regulated EMI or Payment Institution
• Knowledge of financial products including accounts, payments, cards, acquiring, and FX
• Experience building or restructuring finance functions
• Russian language at a conversational level or higher

What We Offer

• Opportunity to lead and develop the finance function of a growing international fintech company
• High ownership and direct influence on financial strategy and business decisions
• Close collaboration with senior management and company leadership
• Opportunity to shape financial processes, systems, and governance from the ground up
• Competitive compensation package based on experience
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Company pension and paid sick leave
• Professional development opportunities
• Dynamic, entrepreneurial, and collaborative working environment