An established and growing SME operating within a group structure is
seeking an experienced Financial Controller to lead and develop its
finance function within a commercially focused environment.

The organisation is operationally driven and committed to disciplined
financial management to support sustainable growth, operational
efficiency, and improved margin performance.

Reporting to senior leadership and forming part of the Senior
Leadership Team, this role holds full responsibility for financial
control, reporting, governance, and commercial finance support across
the business.

The Financial Controller will combine strong technical accounting
expertise with commercial awareness, ensuring robust financial
reporting while partnering with operational leaders to improve
performance and decision making.

This is a hands-on leadership role offering significant ownership and
the opportunity to influence both financial strategy and day-to-day
operations within a growing SME.

FINANCIAL LEADERSHIP & GOVERNANCE

1. Financial Reporting & Performance Management

• Lead preparation of monthly management accounts with full variance analysis
• Prepare board-level reporting packs and performance commentary
• Deliver annual statutory accounts in line with UK GAAP
• Lead budgeting and quarterly forecasting cycles
• Conduct scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis
• Provide detailed KPI reporting covering margin, productivity, and working capital
• Deliver advanced Excel-based financial modelling and analysis

2. Audit, Controls & Compliance

• Act as primary contact for external auditors
• Lead year-end statutory audit process
• Coordinate quarterly invoice finance audits
• Maintain strong internal controls across all financial processes
• Ensure compliance with:
  • VAT
  • PAYE
  • Corporation Tax
  • Companies House
  • Pension Regulator requirements
• Maintain balance sheet integrity via structured reconciliation processes
• Oversee fixed asset register and depreciation policies
• Ensure company secretarial filings and statutory registers are maintained

3. Group Reporting & Intercompany Management

• Ensure accurate and timely reporting to group
• Manage intercompany reconciliations and transactions
• Oversee VAT returns for group entities
• Align local reporting standards with group requirements
• Liaise with group finance and external advisors on complex tax or structural matters

MANUFACTURING COSTING & OPERATIONAL FINANCE

4. Manufacturing Costing & Margin Control

• Establish and review standard costing methodologies
• Set and review direct labour recovery rates
• Develop and maintain overhead absorption models
• Monitor labour utilisation, productivity and efficiency
• Analyse material, labour, and overhead variances
• Review scrap, yield, and production efficiency metrics
• Conduct product and customer profitability analysis
• Partner with Operations and Procurement to improve cost visibility and margin

5. Working Capital & Cash Flow Management

• Produce rolling cash flow forecasts
• Optimise working capital performance
• Oversee debtor management and credit control
• Approve credit limits and monitor debtor ageing
• Supervise invoice finance facility reporting and reconciliations
• Ensure compliance with lender covenants
• Maintain strong banking relationships
• Review creditor payments and authorise BACS runs

6. Inventory & Stock Governance

• Oversee inventory valuation methodology
• Review stock provisions and obsolescence reserves
• Monitor stock turns and working capital exposure
• Ensure accurate month-end stock reconciliation
• Collaborate with operations to improve stock accuracy

FINANCIAL OPERATIONS & COMMERCIAL SUPPORT

7. Payroll, Pensions & Employee Financial Administration

• Oversee outsourced payroll provider
• Review payroll prior to submission
• Ensure compliance with:
  • Pension auto-enrolment
  • P11Ds
  • Apprenticeship levy reporting
• Administer salary sacrifice schemes
• Oversee employee expense controls and credit card management
• Ensure accurate HR-related financial reporting

8. Insurance & Motor Fleet Oversight

• Manage corporate insurance renewals and claims
• Review policy coverage and negotiate premiums
• Oversee motor fleet compliance and financial reporting
• Implement risk mitigation strategies

9. Capital Expenditure & Investment Appraisal

• Lead CapEx approval process
• Develop investment appraisals and ROI analysis
• Monitor capital project budgets
• Ensure strategic alignment of investment decisions
• Track post-investment performance

• 10. Commercial Business Partnering
• Support pricing models and tender submissions
• Provide margin analysis for new contracts
• Deliver financial modelling for growth initiatives
• Challenge operational costs constructively
• Support strategic planning and expansion initiatives

LEADERSHIP, SKILLS & SUCCESS MEASURES

11. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead and develop Finance Assistant and Finance Business Partner
• Provide oversight of transactional finance activities
• Set performance objectives and conduct reviews
• Promote continuous improvement in systems and reporting
• Champion process efficiency and ERP optimisation
• Actively contribute to SLT strategy and decision-making

Qualifications & Experience

Essential

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or qualified by experience)
• 5–10 years’ experience in manufacturing or stock-intensive environment
• Strong experience in:
  • Standard costing
  • Labour recovery & overhead absorption
  • Invoice finance facilities
  • VAT and statutory compliance
  • Audit processes
  • Cash flow forecasting
• Advanced Excel and ERP system expertise
• Experience managing or supervising a small finance team

Desirable

• Experience within a group structure
• CapEx project leadership experience

Key Competencies

• Strategic financial leadership
• Commercial awareness and operational understanding
• Strong analytical and modelling capability
• High attention to detail
• Hands-on, pragmatic approach
• Strong governance mindset
• Change management and continuous improvement focus

Key Measures of Success

• Accurate and timely monthly reporting
• Strong balance sheet integrity
• Effective working capital management
• Improved margin visibility and cost control
• Smooth audit with minimal adjustments
• Strong lender and group reporting compliance
• Successful CapEx delivery within budget
• Engaged, high-performing finance team

Why Apply

• End-to-end ownership of the finance function
• Senior leadership exposure and influence
• Commercially focused manufacturing environment
• Opportunity to build and develop a finance team