ABOUT ME

I am an FCA qualified finance professional with extensive experience across senior finance, transformation, financial control and project-based assignments. At this stage in my career, I particularly enjoy opportunities where I can step into a business, understand what is happening and use my experience to make a tangible difference.

I am naturally drawn to interesting and challenging situations. I enjoy reviewing how a finance function operates, identifying where processes or controls could be strengthened and working collaboratively with the people already in the business to implement practical improvements.

My approach is calm, organised and hands on. I am comfortable dealing with complex issues and senior stakeholders, but equally happy getting into the detail where that is what is required. For me, a successful assignment is one where I leave a business in a stronger position than when I arrived.

LOOKING FOR

I am looking for my next interim or contract finance assignment, ideally based in Northampton or the surrounding Northamptonshire area, and expect to be available towards the end of October.

Rather than being driven by job title, I am interested in assignments that offer genuine challenge and the opportunity to add value. This could include reviewing an existing finance function, improving processes and controls, supporting a period of change, undertaking a business or finance review, strengthening reporting or helping a team work more effectively.

I am particularly interested in businesses that need an experienced pair of hands for a defined period or have a project, challenge or transformation that would benefit from an independent and commercially minded finance perspective.

For the right contract opportunity, I am looking at a salary equivalent of £100,000+ per annum, depending on the nature and scope of the assignment.

IMPORTANT TO ME

I enjoy assignments where there is a clear reason for bringing someone in and where I can make a measurable contribution.

Understanding the people within a business is just as important to me as understanding its numbers and processes. I believe lasting improvements are achieved by involving the people who actually perform the work, listening to what is and is not working and creating solutions that are practical rather than simply theoretical.

Integrity and quality are particularly important to me. I am comfortable challenging established ways of working when necessary, but my approach is always collaborative and focused on achieving the right outcome for the organisation.

INTERESTS

I am particularly interested in understanding how businesses and finance functions operate and identifying where changes could make them more effective. I enjoy getting beneath an issue, reviewing existing processes and asking the questions that help uncover what could be improved.

Process improvement and finance transformation are areas I find especially rewarding. I like taking something that may have become overly complicated or inefficient and finding a clearer, more practical way forward, whether through better controls, improved systems, more useful management information or clearer responsibilities.

I also have a strong interest in people development. Helping individuals build confidence, improve their knowledge and take greater ownership can make a significant difference to the effectiveness of a finance team, and seeing those improvements continue after an assignment has finished is something I find particularly satisfying.

SKILLS AND WORKING PREFERENCES

As an FCA and MAAT qualified finance professional, my experience spans financial control, finance transformation, process and systems improvement, business reviews, cash flow, management information, financial reporting and finance team development.

A particular strength is being able to look at an established process or finance function with fresh eyes. I enjoy identifying duplication, gaps in control or inefficient ways of working and then developing solutions that improve accuracy, visibility and efficiency.

I have considerable experience of finance systems and transformation projects, including gathering business requirements, working with technical teams and stakeholders and helping ensure new solutions genuinely meet the needs of finance and the wider organisation.

Developing people has also been an important part of my career. I enjoy coaching and upskilling individuals, creating stronger teams and reducing reliance on individual members of staff by introducing clearer processes, responsibilities and succession planning.

For contract assignments, I am comfortable working autonomously, quickly getting to grips with a new organisation and adapting my approach to what the business needs.

WHY THIS CANDIDATE STANDS OUT

Susan offers businesses something particularly valuable in an interim environment: extensive senior finance experience combined with a genuine appetite for getting involved and making things better.

Her background includes finance transformation, financial controls, process reviews, systems implementation, business improvement, management information and team development. She has worked within both professional services and commercial organisations and is accustomed to operating in complex environments with multiple stakeholders.

She is particularly effective where a business knows something needs to change but needs an experienced finance professional to review the current position, identify priorities and help turn those findings into practical action.

Available towards the end of October, Susan would be particularly relevant to Northamptonshire organisations looking for experienced interim support with a finance transformation, process improvement project, business review, financial controls review or another challenging finance assignment.

For organisations seeking an Interim Finance Director, Interim Financial Controller, Finance Transformation specialist or senior finance contractor in Northampton, Susan brings significant experience alongside a practical, collaborative and delivery-focused approach.

CANDIDATE SNAPSHOT

Location: Northampton
Assignment Type: Interim and Contract Opportunities
Roles of Interest: Interim Finance Director, Interim Financial Controller, Finance Transformation, Strategic Finance Projects and Business Review Assignments
Availability: Towards the End of October
Preferred Location: Northampton and Surrounding Northamptonshire Area
Salary Level: £100,000+ Equivalent, Depending on Assignment
Qualifications: FCA, MAAT
Sector Experience: Professional Services, Commercial Businesses, Service Environments and Charity
Key Strengths: Finance Transformation, Process Improvement, Business Reviews, Financial Controls, Systems Implementation, Management Information, Cash Flow, Finance Projects, Team Development and Change
Working Style: Hands On, Collaborative, Analytical and Project Focused

If you are interested in this candidate, please get in touch with the team at Debbie Burbage Recruitment by emailing debbie@debbieburbage.co.uk