Financial Controller Hire for a High-Growth AdTech Scaleup

Client Overview – UK AdTech Scaleup

Our client is a UK-based AdTech scaleup recognised as a “best-in-class” leader in its niche, delivering tailored, data-driven creative solutions across sectors. Rapid growth created the need for a hands-on Financial Controller to bring discipline to reporting, revenue recognition and cash management while partnering closely with the leadership team.

The Challenge – Adding rigour without slowing growth

The business needed a finance lead who could:

• Own month-end and management reporting with accuracy and speed
• Tighten cashflow forecasting and working-capital controls
• Standardise SaaS/AdTech revenue recognition (e.g., multi-element, usage, deferred revenue)
• Build lightweight controls and processes fit for a scaleup environment
• Partner with the CEO/COO on commercial decisions and budgeting.

A key constraint: hire someone who was both strategic and hands-on, able to build from scratch and still operate at pace.

Refined Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with AdTech/MarTech or SaaS exposure
• Track record of owning month-end and implementing reporting packs
• Experience with revenue recognition and project/usage-based billing
• Strong cashflow discipline and forecasting
• Comfortable building processes and working cross-functionally with sales, ops and product

Our Approach – Targeted search in AdTech & SaaS

We ran a focused search across our AdTech/MarTech network, combining known candidates with proactive headhunting. Shortlisting prioritised candidates who had:

• Operated as the first/early finance hire in a scaling environment
• Implemented or improved reporting, controls and RevRec
• Credible stakeholder management with founders and non-finance teams

Outcome – Financial Controller appointed

Within 2 weeks, we presented a 5 strong shortlist. The successful hire brought:

• End-to-end financial control in high-growth tech businesses
• Proven RevRec and contract billing expertise relevant to AdTech
• Ability to build light processes without adding bureaucracy
  Impact within the first months included cleaner month-end, board-ready reporting, and a tighter cash view, supporting the company’s growth plans.