Financial Controller

Job Title:

Financial Controller

Location:

Wigan
Salary: up to £70,000 per annum
Role:
Permanent – Full time

A high-growth, private equity-backed group within the UK construction/infrastructure supply chain is hiring a Financial Controller to take ownership of finance across two recently acquired operating businesses in the North West. This is a hands-on, sleeves-rolled-up role where you’ll steady the ship short-term (controls, reconciliations, month-end, cash) and help lead the journey toward stronger reporting, improved systems and a more scalable finance model.

You’ll be the on-site finance lead and the key link between local operational teams and the wider Group finance function—bringing structure, pace and clarity in an environment that’s entrepreneurial, fast-moving and evolving. Over time, as a new ERP is embedded and shared services capability matures, the role will naturally shift toward value-add partnering, supporting operational leaders with sharper MI, better decision-making and improved commercial outcomes.

The Role

Own the end-to-end finance agenda for two operational entities (c.£20–25m combined turnover) in a lean environment

Join during a genuine transformation phase: strengthening controls, improving reporting, embedding systems and governance

Perfect for a high-calibre Management Accountant stepping up or an experienced Financial Controller who enjoys change, autonomy and building “proper finance” in a business that needs it

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control, Month-End & Reporting

Produce monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, reconciliations, variance analysis)
Strengthen financial controls and improve the quality, consistency and timeliness of MI
Own budgeting, forecasting and KPI development, moving reporting from “basic” to decision-useful
Cash, Working Capital & Compliance

Drive cashflow forecasting, working capital discipline and cash collection, working alongside central support functions
Oversee statutory and tax compliance requirements (including VAT and CIS) with appropriate external/central support
Operational / Contract Accounting

Support project and contract-based activity, including WIP and job profitability where projects span multiple months
Translate numbers into practical insight for non-financial stakeholders, helping operational leaders improve margins and performance
Systems & Integration

Play a key role in embedding a new ERP (Net Suite) locally, working with central system expertise rather than being left to “sink or swim”
Improve processes and standardisation in readiness for a future shared services model
People & Stakeholder Management

Support small on-site transactional resource (currently limited and mixed capability) and shape “what good looks like” going forward
Build strong working relationships across local leadership and Group finance—this role succeeds through influence, credibility and delivery
About You

Proven experience as an Area Manager (or equivalent multi‑site role)
Background in retail or hospitality (customer‑led, fast‑paced environments essential)
Strong people leader with a track record of developing managers and teams
Commercially astute with the ability to balance people, standards and results
Confident working autonomously in a field‑based role
Comfortable operating in a compliance‑led environment
Approachable, credible and able to build rapport quickly at all levels
Full UK driving licence
What’s on Offer

Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
Strong management accounts and financial control capability, ideally in an operational, project-based or contracting environment
Comfortable in a manual / imperfect environment—someone who will improve it, not complain about it
Confident partnering with operational leaders who may be less finance-led—you can simplify, challenge and move things forward
Systems mindset (Net Suite knowledge helpful but not essential)—you’re able to work with a central systems lead and drive adoption on-site
A proactive, energetic style: not a “processor”—you bring pace, pragmatism and strength of character

About us:

This Financial Controller role is handled by McCarthy Recruitment, an award-winning multi-sector recruitment…