Financial Controller

Karntek is looking for a proactive, organised and commercially minded Financial Controller to lead its finance function and support the continued growth of its fire safety consultancy business. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take ownership of accurate financial reporting, robust financial controls, cash management, budgeting and forecasting. You will provide clear commercial insight, challenge financial performance and support informed business decisions.

This is a hands-on role combining management and development of the Accounts Assistant with responsibility for day-to-day finance operations, monthly management accounts, financial planning and continuous improvement. You will have the autonomy to improve processes and systems within agreed authority limits.

• Own the month-end close, including journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring accurate and complete financial records in Xero.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow reporting and supporting schedules, within agreed deadlines.
• Provide clear commentary on performance against budget and forecast, explaining significant variances, financial risks and recommended actions to the Managing Director and management team.

• Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling financial forecasts, working with departmental managers to challenge assumptions, monitor expenditure and support delivery of the business plan.
• Prepare and maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast and longer-term cash projections, identifying potential funding gaps and recommending timely action to manage working capital and meet financial commitments.

• Analyse profitability by service, project and customer, working with operational managers to assess surveyor utilisation, subcontractor costs, pricing and margin performance. Recommend practical actions to improve profitability.
• Provide proactive financial advice to the Managing Director and management team, challenging expenditure and performance assumptions and supporting decisions on pricing, recruitment, investment and business growth.

• Take overall responsibility for day-to-day finance operations, overseeing purchase and sales ledgers, invoicing, supplier payments, expenses and accounts receivable.
• Ensure bank, credit card, supplier and other financial account reconciliations are completed accurately and on time.
• Own the accounting treatment and reconciliation of work in progress, accrued income, deferred income and project costs, supported by reliable operational evidence and recorded in the appropriate accounting periods.
• Lead credit control and debt recovery with the Accounts Assistant, monitoring aged debt and payment trends, resolving disputes with colleagues and customers, and reporting collection actions and risks to the Managing Director.

• Design, implement and regularly review controls covering purchasing, supplier setup and bank-detail changes, payments, expenses, reconciliations and delegated authority. Ensure appropriate approval and separation of duties within the finance team.
• Manage VAT returns and maintain effective processes to support accurate and timely submissions and payments.
• Lead year-end preparation and act as the main contact for external accountants, providing complete supporting schedules and resolving queries promptly. Coordinate audit requirements where applicable.
• Maintain a calendar of tax, statutory reporting and filing obligations, coordinating with external advisers and ensuring liabilities are accurately recorded, forecast and funded, and submissions and payments are completed on time.

• Own financial data integrity and reconciliations between Salesforce, operational systems and Xero. Work with colleagues and implementation partners to ensure the transition from Big Change supports accurate invoicing, accounting and reporting.
• Identify and implement improvements to finance processes, reporting and systems, reducing errors and unnecessary manual work while maintaining effective controls.

• Manage, support and develop the Accounts Assistant through clear objectives, guidance, training and regular…