Finance Controller

This role is for an experienced and qualified (ACCA/CIMA/ACA) finance professional who can combine strong financial control with commercial judgement, operational problem-solving and a practical, hands‑on approach within a dynamic integrated marketing agency and events company.

Working closely with the Group MD and senior stakeholders, including the Board, SMT, Directors and senior clients, you will provide meaningful commercial insight, support strategic decision‑making and help non‑financial colleagues translate ideas and activity into realistic budgets, forecasts, costs and delivery plans.

• Responsible for leading the finance function for the company, managing divisions to ensure that they adhere to all financial regulations and company billing, costing and invoice standards set.
• Preparation of monthly management accounts across Freshwater and WCC, including:
  • Profit & loss analysis
  • Balance sheet reviews and reconciliations
  • Key metric reporting and supporting schedules
• Analysis of financial performance against budgets and forecasts, providing clear commercial insights and actionable recommendations for all Directors.
• Responsible for monitoring and controlling costs, identifying efficiency improvements and cost‑saving opportunities on a weekly, monthly and annual basis.
• Responsible for line managing the Finance team including Finance Manager, Finance clerk and external stakeholders such as financial auditors and third‑party suppliers.
• Reviewing client profitability, playing an integral role in costing any new business tenders, highlighting margin performance and supporting commercial reporting.
• Supporting the annual budgeting and forecasting process in collaboration with Directors.
• To be responsible for leading the divisional calls every two weeks to update forecast. In addition to this, to be proactive in conducting regular financial review meetings with Directors to ensure alignment with budget, pipeline, hotbox updates and financial controls and company standards.
• Working with the Finance Manager to conduct the weekly review of creditors and WIP, escalating issues to the Group MD and Directors when necessary.
• Supporting all external audits and ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulations.
• Preparing monthly/quarterly VAT returns and assisting with corporate tax processes.
• Supporting the implementation of invoicing processes.
• Managing cash flow.
• Developing expertise in the Synergist and Active HR system and driving continuous financial process improvements.
• Providing holiday cover within the finance team.
• Acting as a confident first point of contact for day‑to‑day business systems and IT issues, resolving straightforward problems where possible and coordinating effectively with external IT support and software providers when specialist input is required.
• To lead on ISO 9001 and Green Dragon audits for FW.
• To lead on office management, attending tenant meetings in the Cardiff office and supporting London office management as and when required.
• Delivering ad‑hoc reporting and analysis as required.

• Educated to degree level or equivalent in relevant discipline.
• Master’s qualification would be an advantage.

• Strong understanding of financial principles and accounting standards.
• Excellent communication skills, with the credibility and knowledge to be able to present financial information clearly to non‑financial stakeholders.

• Proven experience in a Financial Controller role, ideally within the communications or creative sector.
• Experience of implementing standards and influencing colleagues to cost accurately and hit deadlines accordingly.
• Experience with invoicing and effectively managing accounting systems is essential.
• Exper…