Job Overview
We are looking for an experienced, commercially minded Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day financial management of our businesses.
This is a hands-on role for someone who wants responsibility and visibility across the entire finance function. You will be responsible for maintaining accurate accounts, managing cash flow, debtors and creditors, producing management accounts, overseeing payroll, preparing budgets and forecasts, and providing clear financial information to the Director.
We are looking for more than someone who simply processes transactions. The successful candidate will understand the numbers behind the business, identify issues before they become problems and provide the financial control and insight needed to support better commercial decisions.
Key ResponsibilitiesManagement Accounts & Financial Reporting
- Produce accurate monthly management accounts, including profit & loss and balance sheet reporting.
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date financial records within Xero.
- Provide monthly reporting on revenue, gross margin, overheads and profitability.
- Analyse performance against previous periods, budgets and forecasts.
- Produce clear management information and financial KPIs for the Director.
- Ensure the Director has an accurate understanding of the financial position of the businesses.
Cash Flow Management
- Prepare and maintain rolling cash-flow forecasts.
- Monitor current and expected cash requirements.
- Identify potential cash-flow pressures in advance.
- Maintain visibility of upcoming supplier, payroll, tax and other financial commitments.
- Support the Director with cash-flow planning and financial decision-making.
Credit Control & Debtors
- Take full ownership of the sales ledger and debtor position.
- Ensure customer invoices are raised accurately and promptly.
- Actively chase overdue invoices and maintain regular contact with debtors.
- Monitor aged debt and provide regular debtor reports.
- Resolve customer account queries and payment discrepancies.
- Escalate problematic or significantly overdue accounts where appropriate.
- Help reduce debtor days and improve cash collection.
Purchase Ledger & Creditors
- Process and manage supplier invoices accurately.
- Reconcile supplier statements and investigate discrepancies.
- Maintain accurate creditor records.
- Manage supplier payment schedules.
- Ensure payments are made in accordance with agreed terms and cash-flow requirements.
- Maintain clear visibility of current and upcoming liabilities.
Banking & Reconciliations
- Complete regular bank reconciliations.
- Reconcile credit cards, payment providers and other financial accounts.
- Investigate and resolve discrepancies promptly.
- Maintain accurate records of loans, finance agreements and other liabilities.
- Ensure financial transactions are correctly allocated and recorded.
Payroll
- Prepare and process payroll accurately and on time.
- Manage starters, leavers, deductions, holiday pay, statutory payments and other payroll adjustments.
- Maintain accurate payroll records.
- Reconcile payroll costs against the accounts.
- Liaise with accountants and external advisers where required.
VAT, Tax & Year-End
- Prepare VAT returns and supporting information.
- Ensure VAT records are accurate and reconciled.
- Maintain accurate financial records for corporation tax and year-end accounts.
- Work closely with external accountants and provide required information promptly.
- Ensure financial deadlines and reporting requirements are met.
Budgeting & Forecasting
- Prepare annual budgets.
- Maintain rolling financial forecasts.
- Monitor actual performance against budget.
- Investigate and explain material variances.
- Forecast revenue, expenditure, profitability and cash requirements.
- Build financial models to support business decisions where required.
Commercial Finance & Profitability
- Analyse customer, service and business profitability.
- Monitor gross margins and identify margin erosion.
- Review costs and identify opportunities for savings or efficiencies.
- Support pricing decisions with accurate cost and margin information.
- Analyse the financial impact of new customers, contracts and commercial opportunities.
- Provide financial insight to support operational and strategic decisions.
- Challenge unnecessary expenditure and poor financial performance where appropriate.
Financial Controls & Process Improvement
- Maintain strong financial controls throughout the businesses.
- Identify weaknesses or inefficiencies within existing financial processes.
- Implement improved procedures where appropriate.
- Ensure financial records are accurate, organised and properly supported.
- Improve the quality and usefulness of management reporting.
- Help develop the finance function as the businesses continue to grow.
About You
We are looking for someone who is organised, commercially aware and comfortable taking ownership.
You should have:
- Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Management Accountant or in a similar senior finance role.
- Strong working knowledge of Xero.
- Experience producing monthly management accounts.
- Strong knowledge of cash-flow management.
- Experience managing debtors, creditors and credit control.
- Payroll experience.
- Experience preparing budgets and forecasts.
- Good understanding of VAT and UK accounting requirements.
- Strong Excel or spreadsheet skills.
- Excellent numerical and analytical ability.
- High attention to detail.
- The ability to work independently and manage competing priorities.
- The confidence to challenge figures and investigate anything that does not look right.
AAT, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent qualifications would be advantageous, although strong practical experience will also be considered.
Job Type: Part-time
Pay: £15.00-£20.00 per hour
Benefits:
- Company pension
- Flexitime
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Work from home
Experience:
- Payroll: 3 years (required)
- Tax: 3 years (required)
Work Location: In person
