Interim CFO / Strategic Finance Consultant

A leading strategic communications agency is seeking an interim finance consultant to partner with its executive team during a critical planning period. The engagement centres on leading the 2027 budgeting and long-range planning process, building a bottoms-up revenue forecasting methodology across retainers, project work, paid media, and new business, and establishing repeatable financial planning frameworks that the internal team can sustain beyond the engagement.

The consultant will also enhance financial models and reporting within NetSuite, develop meaningful KPIs to improve revenue predictability, and provide mentorship to the internal finance and FP&A function. The initial engagement is scoped around the 2027 budgeting cycle, with approximately two to three days onsite per week, and potential extension based on business needs.

• Lead the 2027 budgeting and long-range planning process in close partnership with the CEO, CFO, and senior leadership team.
• Develop and implement a bottoms-up revenue forecasting methodology covering retainers, project engagements, paid media, and new business pipelines.
• Build scalable budgeting and FP&A processes designed to be maintained by the internal team after the engagement concludes.
• Analyse client retention trends, pipeline activity, conversion metrics, and revenue performance to surface actionable insights.
• Establish KPIs and reporting metrics that improve revenue predictability and support strategic decision-making.
• Enhance financial models, reporting tools, and planning workflows within NetSuite and provide mentorship to the finance team.

• Prior experience as a CFO, Fractional CFO, VP of Finance, Head of FP&A, Finance Director, or equivalent senior finance leader.
• Strong expertise in budgeting, forecasting, financial modelling, and strategic planning, including bottoms-up revenue forecast development.
• Background in strategic communications, public relations, advertising, marketing agencies, consulting, or professional services is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, building models and driving deliverables while providing executive-level guidance.
• Experience partnering directly with C-suite and senior leadership teams in a consultative capacity.
• NetSuite experience preferred; strong communication and stakeholder influence skills required.

CFS (Creative Financial Staffing) is a specialist staffing and recruitment firm focused on finance and accounting professionals. The firm connects organisations with interim, contract, and permanent finance talent across a broad range of industries and company sizes.