Assistant Financial Controller

LanesGgroup; Leeds; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Lanes Group Ltd is a leading nationwide utilities services provider with c.5000 employees and a turnover of over £650 million. The Reg North division requires an Assistant Financial Controller to lead the central finance team, own month-end close, and deputise for the Financial Controller.

You will work with the FC, Commercial Finance Partners and external auditors to ensure robust controls, audit readiness and scalable finance processes across the UK.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA, with post-qualification experience.
• Has management experience, preferably across more than one site.
• Has owned a month-end close, including balance sheet reconciliations and review.
• Has contract or project accounting experience (WIP, CVR).
• ERP implementation experience; Dynamics 365 desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead the central finance team, coaching and setting priorities.
• Coordinate month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations and journals.
• Maintain divisional control framework and ensure process governance.
• Support internal and external audits and audit coordination.
• Assist with ERP post go-live stabilisation and automation of processes.
• Drive continuous improvement of close, reporting and CVR processes.
• Deputise for Financial Controller and represent finance to senior stakeholders.
• Manage central functions P&L within budget.

Skills

Leadership & coaching

Stakeholder management

Financial controls

Communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Dynamics 365

Job description

Lanes Group Ltd is a leading nationwide utility services provider with c.5000 dedicated employees. Our diverse subsidiaries drive our success across various sectors, contributing to a remarkable turnover of over £650 million. We are committed to excellence and innovation, ensuring we provide industry leading services to our clients and stakeholders. Join us to be part of a dynamic and growing team that values diversity and fosters professional growth.

Department:
Finance works closely with operational and support teams across the UK, providing financial expertise, governance, reporting, and commercial insight to help the business make informed decisions and achieve its strategic objectives..

The team is responsible for maintaining robust financial controls, managing budgets and forecasts, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements, and delivering accurate financial information across the business. Through proactive support and analysis, Finance helps drive performance, accountability, and continuous improvement at every level of the organisation.

Purpose of the role: Regulated Water North is the largest and most complex division of Lanes Group, delivering contracts for major UK water and utility clients. The Assistant Financial Controller is a newly created role that leads the Reg North central finance team and deputises for the Financial Controller. The role owns the month-end close and balance sheet review, holds the divisional control framework, supports audit readiness and acts as Financial Controller in their absence.

The role works closely with the Financial Controller, the Commercial Finance Business Partners, the wider Financial Control team and external auditors, and is a key step in building a finance function that can scale.

Accountabilities & Responsibilities:

• Lead the team. Lead, coach and develop the central finance team, setting priorities and standards.
• Co-ordinate month end. Support the FC with month-end and review central balance sheet reconciliations, journals and accruals.
• Control Governance. Control the divisional framework and ensure no process depends on a single person
• Be audit ready. Support internal and external audits and take on coordination of audit and statutory work.
• ERP implementation. Support the FC with post go-live stabilisation of the system and improve or automate manual processes
• Improve the process. Drive continuous improvement of the close, reporting and CVR processes, cutting out manual work through automation and clear, documented processes.
• Deputise for the FC. Act as Financial Controller in their absence and represent finance with senior stakeholders.
• Manage the budget. Run the central functions P&L within budget.

Qualifications & Experience:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA, with post-qualification experience.
• Has management experience, preferably across more than one site.
• Has owned a month-end close, including balance sheet reconciliations and review.
• Has contract or project accounting experience (WIP, CVR)
• Has been through an ERP implementation and the post go-live period. Dynamics 365 is desirable.
• Strong stakeholder management and communication, up to CFO/COO level.
• A coaching mindset, with a process improvement and problem-solving approach.

Living the Company Values By embedding our companies core values and purpose into each role, ensures that every employee, regardless of their role or level, understands how their individual development and contributions align with our purpose of 'improving today for a better tomorrow'.

Each role and value has an alignment to set proficiency levels and expectations; this role holder is expected to:

• Leading: Acts as a role model, shaping the learning agenda and influencing change.
• Agile: Anticipates learning needs, adjusts quickly to changing operational contexts.
• Nurturing: Supports the development of others through coaching and structured development plans.
• Engaging: Inspires and motivates learners, builds trust and credibility
• Safe & Secure: Ensures all learning is aligned to safety and compliance standards.

Your Contribution to the company:

• Strive to be always positive and constructive

• Adhere to all company policies
• Straight talking about the facts of the situation - open discussions are the best way to find solutions
• Help others through communicating clearly
• Deliver on commitments
• Ensure that any ideas that may enhance the productivity or systems of the company are brought to the attention of Senior Management, or your colleagues
• Deliver our Company Values understanding that by working together in unity we are 'Stronger Together'

Equality, Diversion & Inclusion At Lanes Group, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and empowered. We believe that our differences make us stronger and are committed to providing equal opportunities for all employees. We welcome and encourage applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups. Join us in our commitment to creating a more inclusive and diverse world.