Financial Controller

Financial Controller
Loughborough, Hybrid working
C £65,000 p.a. depending on experience

* Are you ready to take ownership of a finance function and make a genuine impact on a growing business?

* Are you commercially minded, tech-savvy and looking for a role where your ideas will shape what comes next?

* Do you want to build your career towards a future Head of Finance / Finance Director position?

The Company:
Chesterton House Financial Planning is an ambitious, growing financial planning business with 42 employees and c.£4.5m turnover, entering an exciting new chapter following significant strategic change and investment.
With a clear focus on financial planning, ambitious growth plans and a new investor, the business is bringing its finance function in-house and looking for someone who can help shape it for the future.
This is a business that invests in its people, embraces technology and genuinely values contribution.

Role & Responsibilities of the Financial Controller

* Take ownership of the in-house finance function and work closely with the existing Finance Assistant.

* Lead accurate and timely management accounts, management information and financial reporting.

* Develop budgeting, forecasting and cashflow projection processes.

* Prepare insightful financial reporting for the Board, shareholders and Nordic investor.

* Provide commercial analysis, challenge and recommendations to support business decisions.

* Work closely with the Managing Director and Leadership Team on growth strategy, acquisitions and strategic projects.

* Support the development and administration of the company's EMI/share option scheme.

* Oversee payroll and key financial processes.

* Improve financial systems, controls, processes and reporting, making greater use of technology, data and automation.

* Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, integration and the quality of financial information.

* Support and develop the finance function as the business continues to grow.

* Ensure appropriate statutory, compliance and external reporting requirements are met.

About You as the Financial Controller:
We're looking for a qualified accountant who wants more than a traditional Financial Controller role.
You will be commercially minded, hands-on and confident working with senior stakeholders, with the ability to turn financial information into clear insight and action.
You will hold a relevant professional accountancy qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA, or an equivalent qualification, alongside strong practical finance experience.

* Strong experience across management accounts, MI, budgeting, forecasting and cashflow.

* Experience reporting to senior stakeholders, Boards, investors or shareholders.

* Strong commercial awareness and the confidence to challenge and influence.

* Some experience of managing, mentoring or developing others, with the enthusiasm and potential to grow as a leader.

* A tech-savvy mindset, with experience improving systems, processes, data or automation. Power BI experience would be a bonus.

* Excellent organisation, accuracy and the ability to work at pace.

* A proactive, solutions-focused approach and the confidence to take ownership.

* The ambition to build a long-term career and grow alongside the business.

Your Future:
This is a role with genuine progression.
As Chesterton House grows, there is the opportunity for the Financial Controller to develop into a Head of Finance and ultimately Finance Director, with the potential for Board-level involvement in the future.
You'll be joining at an exciting point in the company's journey, giving you the opportunity to build, improve and shape the finance function rather than simply inherit it.
Chesterton House is committed to investing in its people, supporting professional development and qualifications and creating an environment where people are trusted to contribute, develop and progress.
If you're ambitious, curious and want to see the impact of your work, this is a fantastic opportunity to grow your career with a business that is going places.

Additional Benefits:

* Hybrid working, typically 1-2 days per week in the Loughborough office

* 37.5-hour working week with flexible…