Head of Finance interview questions: How to prepare for a senior finance role

Finance leadership roles have never carried more influence. Whether navigating tight budgets in the public sector or driving profitability and long-term financial sustainability in private sector, strong financial direction is crucial for protecting organisational performance and resilience.  

Head of Finance roles are central to this mission. Interviews at this level explore far more than your technical accounting skills. They test how you make strategic decisions, manage risk, support transformation, and build trust across departments. It is your opportunity to show how finance can shape better outcomes, not just manage resources. 

In this guide, we outline the key themes and Head of Finance interview questions to help you prepare, with insights drawn from real hiring processes across both public and private sectors. 

What to expect from a Head of Finance interview 

Head of Finance jobs are at the heart of decision-making. These are senior roles with a wide remit, often reporting directly to the executive team and advising on long-term strategy, risk, and performance. 

Most jobs at this level exist within organisations where financial decisions have a direct impact on service delivery, shareholder value, or public confidence. The scope varies, but you’re likely to lead multi-million-pound budgets, manage complex funding arrangements, and work across political, operational, and professional boundaries. 

The role typically includes: 

• Setting and managing medium-term financial strategies. 
• Advising boards, senior leaders, and stakeholders. 
• Leading on audit, compliance, and financial governance. 
• Supporting major service transformation, M&A activity, or recovery plans. 
• Developing and managing finance teams. 

Organisations hiring into these roles are looking for more than technical expertise. They need people who can guide decisions, manage uncertainty, and lead with authority. Finance job interview preparation at this level must focus on identifying individuals who combine strong financial leadership with the confidence to support others and challenge when necessary. 

What are interviewers really assessing? 

Head of Finance roles are highly competitive. The interview process reflects this level of responsibility and is designed to test how you lead, influence, and deliver under pressure. 

You may be assessed across several stages: 

• Technical interview: Focused on financial planning, audit, and governance. 
• Stakeholder panel: Meetings with senior leaders, board members, or investors. 
• Practical task: A case study related to a live challenge, such as a mock board presentation. 
• Competency-based interview: Assessing behavioural traits and leadership style. 

While many stages may be held online, face-to-face meetings remain a key part of recruitment, particularly for leadership roles where chemistry and presence matter. 

Each panel will assess different aspects of your suitability: 

• Finance Directors will want evidence of financial leadership and risk management. 
• Chief Executives focus on how you support strategic priorities. 
• Investors or Board Chairs are interested in your ability to explain financial decisions and build trust. 
• Operational Directors want to know how you will enable their departments to succeed. 

Across all stages, you’ll be expected to draw upon real examples of your work. Qualifications such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or CIPFA may be assumed at this level, but proven experience carries more weight. Interviewers will want to see where you’ve influenced outcomes, led teams, and added value in complex financial environments. 

Interviewers will want to see where you’ve influenced outcomes, led teams, and added value in complex financial environments. Being clear, specific, and aligned with the organisation’s goals will help you stand out. 

The 6 core areas to prepare for 

Most Head of Finance interview questions assess a wide range of competencies. Panels want to understand how you think, how you lead, and how you support broader organisational goals. 

To help you prepare, we’ve outlined six areas that come up regularly. These reflect the priorities we see in current recruitment, with example questions and insight into what panels are likely to explore. 

1. Strategy and budget management 

Strategic financial planning is one of the most important areas to prepare for.  

UNISON’s annual analysis of freedom of information data and councils’ medium-term financial strategies showed that UK local authorities face a predicted collective funding gap of £4.1bn for 2026/27. In the private sector, Money Advice Trust suggests one in two (51%) have a negative budget (meaning their income is not enough to cover essential costs).  

That’s why interviewers will want to understand how you’ve shaped financial strategy, balanced priorities, and supported organisational goals during periods of uncertainty. 

Whether it is a Council forecasting a funding gap or a private company navigating market volatility, interviewers are looking for candidates who can lead planning across multiple years and advise others with clarity. 

Typical Head of Finance interview questions might include: 

• How have you developed and delivered a medium-term financial strategy? 
• Can you describe a time you had to reforecast in response to sudden market changes or funding cuts? 
• How do you prioritise when budget constraints affect core services or growth targets? 

What interviewers are looking for: 

• A clear approach to long-term financial planning. 
• Proven experience leading budget strategy and influencing outcomes. 
• Strong stakeholder engagement, especially with non-finance colleagues. 
• Evidence of impact, not just process. 

2. Governance, compliance, and risk 

Interviewers will expect a strong grasp of regulations and financial accountability. As a Head of Finance, you are responsible for leading on governance, not just meeting requirements. This applies equally to public sector regulations and private sector compliance (like SOX or IFRS). 

Common questions include: 

• How do you ensure compliance with financial regulations in a rapidly changing environment? 
• What is your experience of working with auditors? 
• Can you describe a time you strengthened governance in your organisation? 
• How have you responded when a process wasn't being followed? 

If you’ve led audit responses, reviewed controls, or supported governance committees, this is the time to show it. Panels want practical evidence of how you keep oversight in place when things get stretched. 

3. Change and transformation 

Change is constant. Whether through restructures, digital transformation, or mergers, finance leaders are expected to provide control, clarity, and strategic input. Interviewers want to see how you’ve supported transformation, not just by managing costs but by shaping delivery. 

Top tip: Focus on your role as an enabler. You might be asked about your role in a system rollout (like a new ERP) or a cost improvement plan. Strong answers will show how you balanced financial control with operational needs. 

Example questions might include: 

• Describe a change program you supported and what your role involved. 
• How do you help non-finance colleagues manage change effectively? 
• What is your approach to challenging cost estimates during project planning? 

4. Commercial acumen and profitability 

For private sector roles, and increasingly in the public sector, commercial acumen is vital. This is about understanding what drives value. 

Expect questions like: 

• How have you identified and managed financial risks to profitability? 
• Tell us about a time you improved margins or ROI. 
• How do you assess the financial viability of new ventures or contracts? 

5. Leadership and team development 

Strong team leadership is a key part of any senior role. Interviewers want to know how you bring out the best in others, especially when managing high workloads. They will be assessing your ability to set expectations, hold people to account, and support colleagues to progress. 

Common questions include: 

• How do you build a culture of accountability in your team? 
• Tell us about a time you supported someone’s development who was struggling. 
• How have you led your team through a period of change or downsizing? 

6. Scenario-based questions 

Scenario-based questions are a common feature of senior interviews. They are used to assess how you make decisions in real-time when there isn't a clear answer. Panels are looking for how you weigh risk, apply judgment, and stay aligned with strategic priorities. 

Common examples include: 

"A department head has asked to fund a new initiative that wasn't part of the agreed budget, promising high returns. How would you approach the request?" 

• Tip: Think about budget governance, ROI analysis, and assessing urgency versus strategic fit. 

"There has been an unexpected overspend discovered just before a board meeting. How do you manage communication with the CEO and your internal team?" 

• Tip: Focus on immediate control, accountability, and keeping stakeholders informed without overreacting. 

Quick preparation checklist 

Use this checklist to ensure you’re ready for your interview: 

• Map your experience to the core areas of the job description: Prepare clear examples covering strategy and budget management, governance and risk, change and transformation, commercial decision-making, leadership, and scenario-based judgement. Use the STAR method but focus on outcomes and impact. 
• Be confident with scale and complexity: Be ready to talk about budget size, forecasting, team structures, cash flow management, and the level of risk or scrutiny you operated under. 
• Research the organisation in detail: Review annual reports, management accounts, investor updates, or funding announcements. Understand how income, cash flow, and financial constraints influence strategic decisions. 
• Show how you work with non-finance teams: Be ready to explain financial issues in simple terms. Talk about how you help managers understand the numbers, push back when plans do not stack up, and help teams prioritise when time or budget is limited. 
• Prepare questions for them: Ask about their biggest financial challenge over the next 12 to 24 months, how finance supports strategic priorities, or how the executive team works together. Strong questions demonstrate leadership readiness and commercial awareness. 

Closing advice for finance interviews 

Senior finance roles are an opportunity to lead with purpose and deliver lasting impact. The interview is your chance to show you can navigate complexity, support strategic decisions, and lead a high-performing team. 

Focus on how you think, what you’ve delivered, and how you support others to do the same. By preparing for these kinds of Head of Finance interview questions, you’ll be well-positioned to demonstrate the leadership they need. 

Explore senior and executive finance jobs with Sellick Partnership 

We work with organisations across the UK to recruit senior finance professionals for both public and private sectors. Whether you’re exploring new opportunities or are ready for your next move, our team understands what makes finance recruitment different. 

Get in touch today or explore our current finance jobs and take the next step in your leadership career.