Financial Controller

Description:

I am currently recruiting a Financial Controller for a professional services organisation based in the Manchester area. My client has completed two acquisitions in the past 8 months, with a further planned for this year.

The business is undergoing integration into a standardised finance environment, with a clear focus on building a scalable, data-driven operating model under a single entity brand.

With strong backing from a supportive private equity partner and a clear national growth strategy, this is a rare opportunity to play a key role in shaping the financial infrastructure of a high-growth business.

The Role:

As Financial Controller, you will report directly to the CFO and have full ownership of the day-to-day finance function, while acting as a strategic partner to the CFO and wider executive team.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a fast-paced, acquisitive environment, requiring a combination of technical excellence, commercial awareness and operational delivery. Supporting the CFO’s focus on strategy, M&A and investor relations, the Financial Controller will ensure the finance function is robust, scalable and operating effectively at pace.

Key Responsibilities:

* Own and continuously improve the month-end close process, ensuring timely, accurate and audit-ready financial reporting

* Maintain full balance sheet integrity, with clear ownership, reconciliations and supporting documentation

* Lead the year-end audit process, acting as primary contact for auditors and ensuring a smooth, low-adjustment audit

* Oversee group consolidation and statutory reporting requirements

* Own cash flow forecasting, daily cash management and medium-term liquidity planning

* Drive improvements in working capital, including WIP, billing and debtor management

* Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, including development of annual operating and capital budgets

* Provide high-quality financial analysis and insight to support decision-making across the business

* Prepare and deliver the finance section of the monthly Board pack, including KPI reporting and performance analysis

* Own finance systems and data integrity, including development of scalable processes and reporting structures

* Support financial due diligence on acquisitions and assess financial implications of potential transactions

* Lead financial integration of acquired businesses, including systems migration, control alignment and reporting standardisation

* Deliver timely and accurate reporting to the Board, private equity investors and lenders

* Take ownership of lender covenant calculations and reporting

* Support the CFO in managing relationships with key stakeholders including investors, lenders, auditors and advisers

Key Requirements

* ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with strong post-qualification experience

* Proven track record of delivering high-quality, timely financial reporting and maintaining robust financial controls in a scaling environment

* Experience within a professional services or business services environment (legal and regulatory sector experience strongly preferred)

* Strong understanding of WIP accounting, revenue recognition and working capital management

* Private equity experience preferred, ideally within a buy-and-build environment

* Demonstrated experience in financial due diligence and post-acquisition integration

* Strong finance systems capability, with experience improving or implementing finance or practice management systems

* Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels