Financial Controller

The Financial Controller is responsible for leading the finance function at ESG, ensuring the company operates with robust financial controls, accurate financial reporting, strong governance and commercially focused financial management. Whilst the Management Accountant prepares the monthly management accounts and day-to-day financial reporting, the Financial Controller is accountable for reviewing, challenging and approving the financial information before it is presented to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team.

The role will provide strategic financial leadership, improve business performance through commercial analysis, manage cash flow and working capital, and ensure ESG’s rental assets and storage operations achieve maximum return on investment. As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Financial Controller will provide financial insight that supports profitable growth, operational excellence and informed decision making.

• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
• Manage the workload and priorities of the Management Accountant and Accounts Administrators.
• Build a high-performing finance department.
• Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement.
• Develop finance processes and procedures.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and financial controls.
• Support recruitment, training and succession planning within the department.

Review, challenge and approve all financial reporting prepared by the Management Accountant, including:

• Monthly Management Accounts
• Balance Sheet
• Cash Flow
• Departmental Performance
• Project Profitability
• Gross Margin Reporting
• Accruals and Prepayments
• Journals
• Balance Sheet Reconciliations
• Work in Progress (WIP)
• Fixed Asset Register
• The Financial Controller is accountable for the completeness, accuracy and integrity of all financial information presented to the business.

• Producing and reviewing rolling cash flow forecasts.
• Monitoring daily cash balances.
• Approving supplier payment runs.
• Managing payment terms.
• Supporting banking facilities and funding requirements.
• Improving cash conversion across the business.

• Review project profitability.
• Analyse project margins.
• Challenge financial performance.
• Review major quotations and commercial proposals.
• Produce financial analysis for strategic decisions.
• Identify cost-saving opportunities.
• Improve overall business profitability.

• Lead the annual budgeting process.
• Support strategic planning.

• Produce monthly rental performance reports.
• Review asset depreciation and replacement programmes.
• Ensure the rental asset register is accurate and reconciled with the fixed asset register.
• Monitor damaged, lost and obsolete assets.
• Review rental pricing to maximise profitability.
• Recommend future rental asset investment.

• Monitor profitability of customer storage services.
• Review warehouse occupancy and utilisation.
• Ensure all storage charges are accurately invoiced.
• Identify opportunities to improve warehouse profitability.
• Support pricing reviews for storage services.
• Purchase approval procedures.
• Credit control.
• Company credit cards.
• Expenses.
• Fixed asset controls.
• Stock valuation.
• Banking controls.
• Delegated authority limits.
• Financial policies and procedures.

• Microsoft Business Central
• Banking Systems
• Expense Management Systems
• Develop reporting that provides timely and meaningful information to management.

• HMRC Regulations
• VAT
• PAYE
• Pension Regulations
• Audit Requirements
• External Reporting Obligations
• Act as the primary contact for external accountants, auditors and banking partners.

• Lead and develop the finance team.
• Conduct regular one-to-one meetings.
• Complete performance reviews.
• Set objectives and development plans.
• Promote continuous improvement.
• Build strong working relationships across all departments.
• Support managers with financial understanding and decision making.

• Month-end accounts signed off within five working days;
• Clean year-end audit
• Cash flow forecast accuracy
• Debtor days within target
• Creditor days within agreed terms
• Budget and forecast accuracy
• Gross margin reporting…