The rise of flexible finance roles: How fractional, interim and contract roles are reshaping the finance & accounting landscape

Written by: Sam Patterson – Senior Consultant, Accounting & Finance @ Consult Recruitment

As senior Finance & Accounting consultants in the recruitment space, we’re seeing a huge shift in how businesses structure their finance functions. The traditional model of permanent, full-time finance teams is rapidly evolving, with fractional, interim and contract roles becoming increasingly the norm across the New Zealand market. 

A new era of finance flexibility

The past three years have accelerated this transformation dramatically. Economic uncertainty, technological disruption and changing workforce expectations have converged to create the perfect environment for flexible finance arrangements to thrive.

Our recruitment data shows an increased demand for contract and interim finance professionals since 2022, with the emergence of fractional senior finance roles. This isn’t merely a temporary response to market volatility. We believe this represents a fundamental restructuring of how businesses approach finance talent acquisition and deployment.

Many SMEs, in particular, need more than just day to day operational finance support. They require strategic insight to navigate complexity yet often can’t justify or afford a full-time CFO. Having someone who understands their business and can help shape financial strategy in a rapidly changing world is invaluable. Fractional finance leaders fill this gap effectively, offering high-impact guidance without the full-time commitment.

Why businesses are embracing flexible finance solutions

The appeal of these arrangements extends far beyond cost considerations:

• Access to specialised expertise: Businesses can tap into senior-level financial expertise that would be financially prohibitive on a permanent basis. A fractional CFO with transformation experience delivers targeted value when needed most.
• Scalability and agility: Finance functions can expand and contract based on business cycles or project demands. This proves particularly valuable for scaling businesses where finance needs evolve rapidly.
• Fresh perspectives: External finance professionals bring diverse experiences and best practices, often challenging established processes more readily than long-tenured employees.
• Risk management: For businesses navigating significant changes, temporary finance leadership reduces transition risk while maintaining operational stability.

If long-term business planning feels uncertain – whether due to economic conditions, growth trajectory, or internal change – engaging contract or interim finance talent can offer the flexibility you need without the long-term commitment.

Who benefits most?

We’ve identified three business profiles where these solutions deliver exceptional value:

1. Growth-stage businesses benefit from fractional CFOs who provide strategic guidance without the expense of a full-time executive.
2. Established SMEs undergoing transformation engage interim finance leaders to manage specific change initiatives without disrupting day-to-day operations.
3. Larger enterprises use contract specialists during peak periods or for specialised expertise.

Often, the skillsets required in these situations go well beyond business as usual finance. We’re seeing strong demand for professionals with experience in due diligence, capital raising, and systems implementations – areas where deep expertise is critical, but not needed on a permanent basis.

The professional perspective

Many senior finance executives deliberately choose contract or fractional work for diverse challenges, improved work-life balance and often higher compensation rates. For mid-career professionals, interim roles provide accelerated development and exposure to different industries, functioning as career springboards. 

Others are taking up these roles prior to or upon returning from trips abroad. For professionals looking to head overseas, picking up certain industry experiences can be very useful and far easier to do on a contract basis. Likewise, for returning professionals, contract roles offer a great way to re-integrate into the local market, rebuild networks, and regain momentum.

Successful outcomes depend on clearly defined expectations. Businesses must articulate deliverables, timelines and decision-making authority. Finance professionals must rapidly assess organisational needs and identify quick wins while building relationships.

The future of finance talent

We anticipate the flexible finance trend will continue accelerating. Forward-thinking businesses are already building talent strategies that blend permanent teams with flexible resources, creating dynamic finance functions.

For finance professionals, career paths will increasingly involve a mix of permanent and contract roles, requiring adaptability and continuous skill development beyond technical expertise to include change management and strategic partnership skills.

The rise of fractional, interim and contract finance roles represents not just a change in employment models but a fundamental reimagining of how finance functions create value. For businesses across New Zealand, embracing this flexible approach may well be the competitive advantage they need in an increasingly uncertain business landscape.

For more information on trends and shifts we are seeing in the finance hiring space, or to support you or your business with any contract, interim and fractional or permanent finance talent needs you may have, reach out to the Consult team at info@consult.co.nz

We’re also excited to introduce LEAD Executive Search – Consult’s executive search partner focused on executive and senior leadership appointments. Whether you’re seeking a CFO to scale your business, a fractional finance leader to navigate complexity, or a senior interim to manage transformation, LEAD Executive Search connects you with the leaders who drive impact. Visit www.lead.co.nz to learn more.