Hire a Finance Director: Expert Recruitment Guide & Interim Solutions

Hiring the right Finance Director can significantly enhance your business’s financial leadership, strategic decision-making, and overall financial health.

At Richard Lloyd, we specialise in connecting Sydney businesses with experienced Finance Directors, helping you secure the perfect fit - whether permanent or interim.

In this comprehensive guide, we outline everything you need to know about effectively hiring a Finance Director, from recognising when it’s time to hire, through sourcing and interviewing candidates, to onboarding your new executive for success.

Contact us today to find your next Finance Director with ease

Note for job seekers: Looking for a Finance Director role? Click here to access our senior resume template.

Why and when to hire a Finance Director

Knowing when your business requires a Finance Director is crucial. Typically, the indicators include:

• Significant growth or expansion phases that require more strategic financial leadership.
• Complex financial operations demanding enhanced oversight and compliance.
• Preparation for mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring.
• Interim leadership during transitional periods.

Hiring a Finance Director ensures you have dedicated financial oversight to maintain stability and drive strategic growth.

Why hire an interim Finance Director?

In certain scenarios, hiring an interim Finance Director provides invaluable flexibility. Interim Finance Directors are particularly beneficial during times of transition, ensuring continuity without a long-term commitment. Benefits include:

• Immediate availability of financial leadership
• Expert handling of urgent financial issues or compliance matters
• Flexibility for your organisation to evaluate long-term financial leadership needs

Discover top Finance Director Candidates today

How to successfully hire a Finance Director: step-by-step guide

An effective recruitment process is critical to securing the right finance leadership for your business. Here is a proven step-by-step process to hire a Finance Director:

Step 1: define your needs & role requirements

Clearly outline what your Finance Director should accomplish. Identify specific skills, industry expertise, qualifications, and cultural fit requirements to attract suitable candidates.

Step 2: craft an attractive job description

Create a compelling Finance Director job description clearly outlining responsibilities, benefits, and growth opportunities. Highlight your organisational culture, values, and strategic vision to attract the right talent.

View our Finance Director Job Description

Step 3: set a competitive salary and benefits package

Benchmark your Finance Director salary against industry standards. In Sydney, typical salaries for a Finance Director in SMEs range between $220K – $350K + Super + Bonus (depending on complexity, size, and remit of role).

Consider incentives and bonus structures to attract top candidates.

Step 4: utilise specialised Finance Director recruitment agencies

Specialised recruiters like Richard Lloyd offer distinct advantages:

• Access to a broader, targeted candidate pool
• Expert market insights on candidate expectations and availability
• Significant time savings by managing candidate screening and interviewing

Our dedicated team specialises in accounting and financial executive recruitment, ensuring targeted and efficient hiring outcomes.

Learn About Our Recruitment Specialists

Step 5: implement an effective interview process

A structured, professional interview process helps effectively evaluate candidates. Recommended areas of focus include:

• Technical expertise: questions assessing financial planning, reporting, and regulatory knowledge.
• Leadership & communication: evaluate the candidate’s capability to manage teams and communicate effectively across your business.
• Strategic problem-solving: request real-world examples demonstrating their ability to address financial challenges strategically.

Step 6: comprehensive reference & background checks

Always perform thorough background and reference checks to validate experience, professional reputation, and previous achievements.

Step 7: smooth offer negotiation

Make transparent, competitive offers clearly aligned with the industry benchmarks to secure your chosen candidate. Transparency throughout the process demonstrates professionalism and fosters trust.

Step 8: structured onboarding for success

A structured onboarding process ensures your new Finance Director quickly integrates and delivers immediate value. Include:

• Clear expectations and objectives from day one
• Access to essential financial data, reports, and systems
• Regular feedback and support meetings during their initial months

Common mistakes when hiring a Finance Director

Avoid these typical hiring pitfalls:

• Relying solely on technical skills: a Finance Director needs strategic, cultural, and leadership compatibility alongside technical proficiency.
• Poorly defined role & expectations: clearly define responsibilities and expectations to attract appropriately qualified candidates.
• Neglecting cultural fit: ensure alignment with organisational culture and leadership style to support successful integration.
• Ignoring interim solutions: in transitional periods, ignoring the interim option can lead to rushed, unsuitable permanent hires.

Why partner with Richard Lloyd for your Finance Director recruitment?

Richard Lloyd stands out in Sydney’s financial recruitment industry, providing tailored recruitment solutions for companies seeking financial leadership:

• Industry-specific expertise: exclusive focus on accounting and finance roles.
• Deep local network: extensive database of proven finance executives.
• High placement success: proven record of successful finance executive placements across Sydney.
• Personalised service: bespoke recruitment strategies tailored to your unique business needs and culture.

Read Our Finance Leader hiring blueprint

Finance Director recruitment: client success stories

Our proven executive search process and track record of successful placements speaks for itself. At Richard Lloyd, we've successfully placed Finance Directors across diverse industries, with candidates consistently delivering positive financial outcomes and strategic business impacts.

FAQs: hiring a Finance Director

How long does it take to hire a Finance Director?

Typically, the process takes between 4 and 6 weeks, depending on role complexity and candidate availability.

What's the difference between a Finance Director and a CFO?

Finance Directors usually focus on operational finance management, while CFOs typically operate at a more strategic, executive level. Learn more about CFOs

Should I hire a permanent or interim Finance Director?

Interim is ideal for transitional phases requiring immediate expertise, while permanent roles suit long-term strategic growth.

Ready to hire a Finance Director?

Take the first step toward securing exceptional financial leadership. At Richard Lloyd, we make hiring your next Finance Director seamless, strategic, and effective.

Contact Richard Lloyd today to discuss your Finance Director recruitment needs and discover how we can help your business achieve sustainable financial success.

Written by David Lloyd Landau, Founding Director at Richard Lloyd 🔗 View David’s profile

About the author

David Lloyd Landau co-founded Richard Lloyd in 2008 following nearly a decade in recruitment. With deep roots in the Sydney accounting market, David is driven by a commitment to deliver genuine value to both hiring managers and job seekers. He believes every interaction should be a purposeful one—built on integrity, efficiency and long-term relationships.