Chief Financial Officer

Chief Financial Officer
Department: Finance & Operations
Reports to: CEO
Location: London preferred with hybrid working. We are open to candidates based further afield within a similar time zone, with regular travel to our London Bridge HQ
Role Type: Full-time, permanent
About Us
At Cambridge Audio, we’re a different sort of global audio company, resolutely independent and always authentic.
We’re on a mission to break down barriers to top-tier sound, so it’s not the exception, but the norm. It’s what we’ve been doing for over 50 years, and we’re only just getting started.
Our award-winning product lineup includes headphones, lifestyle audio, and premium hi-fi. We also own StreamMagic, our own music streaming platform, plus a music venue and bar called Melomania at our London Bridge HQ.
We're entering a new phase of growth - targeting revenue growth of 40% by FY29, with a major new product category as a key driver.
Work at Cambridge Audio is more than just a job. We're passionate about what we do, and have fun doing it, developing our skills and careers, plus those of the colleagues around us. Learn more at https://cambridgeaudio.com/about-us
Our Culture
A shared love for music and a commitment to exceptional products and customer experience drive us. With strong team spirit across our five global offices, our core values define our work:
Made By Music - Inspired by shared passion and independence.
Pride in our product and service - Obsess over detail, always learning and improving.
Embrace the culture - Integrity, Innovation, Energy, Openness, Teamwork, Diversity, Flexibility, Fun, Music.
Make an impact - See it through. Go the extra mile.
About the Role
We're looking for a CFO to join our Senior Leadership Team, reporting to the CEO. This is a hands-on, commercial leadership role covering Finance, IT and systems, legal and risk, HR oversight and the internal running of the business.
We design premium audio products, have them manufactured in Asia, ship them worldwide, warehouse them and sell them through retailers, distributors, online marketplaces and our own e-commerce channel. That brings real financial complexity: inventory, landed costs, provisions, multi-entity reporting, VAT across channels and cash tied up in stock.
We need someone who already understands how a product business like ours works financially, and who will bring clarity, control and modern, joined-up systems as we grow.
Who This Role Is For
You've been a CFO or Finance Director in a business that designs, makes and sells physical products, or you're a senior finance leader in that kind of business who fully understands the role and is ready to step up
You know the pitfalls of product businesses: stock, provisioning, supply chain costs, multi-channel selling and cash flow
You want to build modern, efficient systems and processes, not maintain legacy ones
You don't need a background in consumer audio. Experience in a comparable product business, such as consumer goods, drinks or homewares, is just as relevant. This role is unlikely to suit candidates whose experience is mainly in service-based businesses such as professional services, software or telecoms.
What Great Looks Like
Accurate, timely reporting that budget holders actually use, with month-end accounts closed in days, not weeks
Clear visibility of margin and profitability by channel, customer and SKU
Cash flow actively managed, with strong controls and forward visibility
Joined-up systems, with our ERP (Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central) used to its full potential
Well-documented, efficient processes across Finance, IT and HR
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Finance
Own the financial strategy, planning, forecasting and scenario modelling that support our growth plans
Act as a trusted, constructive challenger to the CEO and SLT on commercial decisions, pricing and investment
Lead treasury, banking relationships and capital structure
Partner with the Head of Procurement on inventory, landed cost, working capital and margin
Evaluate new business opportunities and strategic partnerships where relevant
2. Financial Control and Reporting
Oversee financial reporting across our UK, EU and Hong Kong entities
Maintain strong financial controls, compliance and audit readiness
Deliver clear, actionable management reporting to budget holders on a predictable cycle
Drive cost and margin improvement across the business, not just within Finance
Lead audits, board reporting and investor communications
3. Systems and IT
Own the systems and IT strategy, moving from disjointed tools to integrated, scalable systems
Get the most from Business Central and Power BI, automating reporting and finance processes
Oversee IT, working with our internal IT support and external technical advisers
Ensure technology governance and compliance, including GDPR and PCI DSS
Make sure every significant technology investment has a clear cost and business case before commitment
4. Operations, Legal and Risk
Oversee facilities, leases and the group insurance programme
Own legal, risk and company secretarial matters across the Group
5. People and Leadership
Provide oversight of HR, supported by our in-house HR lead and external HR advisers, ensuring people processes are professional and compliant
Lead and develop the finance team, building a well-documented, efficient function
Requirements
Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
Experience as a CFO or Finance Director, or senior finance leadership experience with a full understanding of what the role involves
Proven experience in a physical product business, ideally involving Far Eastern manufacturing, international distribution and multiple sales channels
Experience managing multi-entity, international reporting
Experience overseeing IT, systems and HR alongside Finance
Comfortable directing and holding external technical advisers to account, without needing to be a technologist yourself
Strong ERP experience, ideally Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central or a comparable mid-market ERP
A track record of using automation, process improvement and technology to make finance faster and more efficient
Experienced in the use of and experimentation with AI as a copilot, also driving AI efficiencies within a team
Personal Profile
Dedicated to building a strong culture within your team, and the business
Commercially sharp, with a genuine interest in how a business like ours makes money and where it can improve
Ownership-driven - you take responsibility and follow through
Focused and disciplined, with a clear sense of your remit and how to deliver it well
Calm and constructive - comfortable challenging, always with respect
A self-driven learner who keeps up with new tools, software and ways of working
Equally comfortable with long-term strategy and day-to-day detail
Working Pattern & Duration
This is a full-time, permanent role.
Location
London preferred with hybrid working. We are open to candidates based further afield within a similar time zone, with regular travel to our London Bridge HQ.
Compensation
Competitive sal

Employment type
Full-Time

Work arrangement
No