Financial Controller

Description:

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Financial Controller to join a well-established and growing organisation based in Farnborough.

This is a broad, hands-on position with responsibility for financial control, balance sheet integrity, treasury, governance and month-end across a complex, multi-entity environment. The role will also involve managing and developing a small finance team.

The position would suit a qualified accountant who enjoys operating close to the detail, while also having the confidence to challenge existing processes, strengthen controls and drive improvements across the finance function. You may already have formal people management responsibility, or alternatively be someone who has taken an active role in mentoring, supporting and reviewing the work of others and is now ready to step into a more formal leadership position.

Job Title:           Financial Controller

Job Type:         Permanent

Location           Farnborough

Salary:              £65,000 - £70,000

Reference no:             16163

Financial Controller – Benefits

25 days holidays, increasing with tenure plus your Birthday off

Ability to purchase up to an additional 2 weeks of holiday

Remote work location for up to a maximum of 6 weeks per year

Hybrid working pattern

Free beer fridges on site

Bring your dog to work days

50% off branded products

Financial Controller – About the Role

The Financial Controller will play a key role in maintaining strong financial control across the business while supporting the continued development of finance processes, systems and reporting.

This is a varied position offering responsibility across month-end, multi-entity reporting, balance sheet control, treasury, FX, cash flow, audit and financial governance. You will also manage a small finance team, providing support, direction and oversight while helping to develop capability within the function.

Strong stakeholder management will be an important part of the role. You will work closely with senior leadership and colleagues across the wider business, providing clear financial insight, challenging constructively where required and ensuring key financial information is understood and acted upon. The role will therefore suit someone who can combine strong technical finance skills with the confidence and communication style to build effective relationships across the organisation.

A key focus of the role will be continuous improvement. The successful individual will be encouraged to review how finance operates today, identify opportunities to streamline processes and controls, and help drive greater efficiency through automation and better use of systems.

The role also offers excellent development potential, with the opportunity to broaden your technical, leadership and commercial experience while gaining greater exposure across the organisation. It would particularly suit someone ambitious who is looking to take the next step in their career and develop towards a broader senior finance leadership role.

Key responsibilities will include:

Taking ownership of balance sheet reconciliations and ensuring the accuracy and integrity of all balance sheet accounts

Managing and reviewing month-end reporting across multiple entities

Overseeing consolidation and intercompany accounting

Acting as the final reviewer across key month-end areas including revenue, gross margin, prepayments and accruals

Ensuring reporting deadlines are achieved and appropriate financial sign-off is in place

Managing and developing a small finance team

Providing oversight, coaching and constructive challenge to work completed by the wider finance team

Managing short and medium-term cash flow forecasting

Supporting working capital management and optimisation

Managing treasury activity, including cash movements, banking and multi-currency requirements

Monitoring, forecasting and reporting on foreign exchange exposure

Ensuring the accurate accounting and settlement of FX transactions

Overseeing key bank and control account reconciliations

Supporting UK and overseas tax and regulatory reporting requirements

Acting as a key contact for external auditors and professional advisors

Supporting the preparation of statutory accounts

Working with external advisors in relation to corporation tax and year-end provisions

Owning and developing the internal financial control framework

Reviewing existing finance processes and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and scalability

Driving process improvement and supporting greater automation across the finance function

Helping to improve the use of finance systems, reporting tools and data

Ensuring financial processes are appropriately documented and controlled

Identifying and escalating financial and control risks

Supporting a strong culture of financial discipline, development and continuous improvement

The successful Financial Controller will have:

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification, or equivalent experience

Previous experience within a Financial Controller, Finance Manager, Assistant Financial Controller or similar operational finance role

Strong experience of working across and reporting on multiple entities

Strong experience of balance sheet ownership, reconciliations and month-end close

Experience of consolidation and intercompany accounting

Good exposure to treasury, cash flow forecasting and working capital management

Strong experience of multi-currency accounting and foreign exchange

Previous people management experience would be advantageous, although applications will also be considered from individuals who have mentored, coached or supervised others and are ready to take the next step into formal team management

Experience working with external auditors and professional advisors

Exposure to an international or EMEA finance structure would be beneficial

Experience within a regulated or complex commercial environment would be advantageous

A strong process improvement mindset with examples of improving finance processes, controls or reporting

An interest in automation and using systems and technology to make finance more efficient

A hands-on and proactive approach

The ability to work effectively with senior stakeholders

A solutions-focused and continuous improvement mindset

Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we currently receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.

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