Salaried Finance "do'er" to Contractor PM

[CaptainSlow]

Just an idea I'm kicking around in the back of my mind. I've spent the last 20 years of my career working my way up the corporate finance function ladder primarily F,P&A, Pricing and Business partnering in a Commercial finance capacity.

As I get deeper into my 40's I fancy a change in direction and am considering working full time in Project Management on Finance related projects. I've led smaller projects in my day jobs but these have always been alongside my "day job", additionally, on larger projects I've been the finance lead doing the work.

Does anyone do anything similar and have any tips and/or advice?

[UpTheIron]

Why do you fancy the change?

Money (do you think it will pay more?) or because it is something new/different?

Why "contractor"? That makes me think the decision is money motivated... and speaking as a contractor of nearly 20 years, it could be a rocky road ahead...

[Leonard Stanley]

Agree with the post above, interim management may be a better bet? Try the likes of Eton Bridge Partners?

[CaptainSlow]

The change is driven by a number of reasons including financial but primarily for a new challenge. Having spent 20 years trying to explain pretty basic financial concepts/common sense to my non-finance colleagues I fancy doing something else.

I've worked with a number of PMs over the years and I haven't been too impressed, especially considering the day rates/salaries they command and hours they work so believe I'm more than capable....it's just getting the important experience on the cv.

As for IR35, I've followed the rules since circa 1999 when it came out as I put all out contractors on the payroll much to their annoyance! Who knows what will happen in the future in that respect.