Financial Controller

Our client is a family owned group operating five franchise businesses, employing almost 200 staff across two sectors within the service industry. The group has grown to a scale of circa £6m + t/o and they are now looking to appoint a Financial Controller to strengthen the finance team and take responsibility for the day to day financial control and operational finance activities across the five businesses.

This will enable the existing Finance Director to devote more time to strategic management, growth opportunities, performance improvement and the wider general development of the group.

The Financial Controller will have primary responsibility for the effective day-to-day management and control of the group's finance operations across all five franchise businesses. The role will need to recognise and manage the different financial characteristics of the two sectors. The Financial Controller will therefore be expected to understand not only accounting requirements but also the operational and commercial drivers behind the numbers.

The main responsibilities will be:

• Ensuring all financial transactions are processed accurately, efficiently and on a timely basis.
• Maintaining robust financial controls and improving processes across all businesses.
• Managing month end and producing monthly management accounts accurately and on time.
• Managing cash flow, debtors, creditors, payroll-related procedures and other core financial activities.
• Supervising and developing the finance team, establishing clear objectives and responsibilities
• Providing financial management information to the Directors and management teams
• Supporting preparation of budgets and forecasts with financial analysis
• Developing financial and operational KPIs across the different businesses.
• Ensuring compliance with regulations and minimising exposure to risk
• Company secretarial matters, contracts, leases, insurances, IT etc
• Liaising with external advisers, accountants, banks etc.

Reporting into the Finance Director, owners / family shareholders the Financial Controller will need to understand the key financial drivers across each business, in particular: staffing costs and payroll, client billing, funding arrangements, recurring revenue and operating costs. The ability to compare and consolidate financial performance across businesses with different operating models will be an important part of the role. The main purpose of this appointment is to reduce the FD’s involvement in finance and build a strong working relationship with operational managers.

Improving cash flow visibility, cash management, strengthening balance sheet reconciliations and controls.

Applications will be welcomed from candidates with previous experience at Finance Manager / Financial Controller level from an SME environment, those able to demonstrate good career development to date and a history of modernising, improving / automating processes would be attractive. Evidence of an accounting qualification is desirable but not essential. Good knowledge of Excel is expected, experience of Xero and Bright Pay would be ideal.

This will be an office based, hands-on position and the successful candidate should be comfortable getting into the detail where necessary, demonstrating an understanding of detailed operational accounting and wider commercial awareness to support ongoing growth and acquisition plans. As the group continues to grow, the role has the potential to develop significantly in scope and responsibility, so if you are an ambitious accountant aspiring for a new challenge please apply without delay!