Divisional Finance Controller

WM Donald; Aberdeen City; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

W M Donald Ltd, a leading civil engineering contractor in the UK, is seeking an experienced Divisional Finance Controller to own the financial management and reporting of the Division. You will provide timely financial information and commercial insight to support operational and strategic decisions.

Working with the Finance Director, you will maintain robust controls, oversee month-end close, budgets and forecasts, and drive efficiency and profitability across the division.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with expertise in management accounts, statutory accounts, VAT and audit.
• Proven experience in financial control, reporting and cash flow management in a commercial environment.
• Experience with contract accounting, WIP and percentage completion methods.

Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the financial control and reporting of the Division.
• Lead month-end close, journals, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
• Provide analysis of divisional performance, including margins, cash flow and forecasts.
• Maintain divisional budgets and financial forecasts and monitor variances.
• Support operational managers with financial insight and cost management.
• Ensure robust financial controls and compliance with company policies.

Skills

Management accounting

Financial reporting

Cash flow management

Leadership

Communication skills

Time management

Education

Chartered Accountant (CA) / ACCA / CIMA

Tools

Microsoft 365

ERP systems

Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central

Job description

Job Vacancy: Divisional Finance Controller

Location

Office & Site Based

Employment Type

Full-Time

Reporting to

Finance Director / CFO

About Us

W M Donald Ltd is a leading civil engineering contractor with a strong reputation for quality, safety, and innovation. We are seeking an experienced and motivated Divisional Finance Controller to join our team and take ownership of the financial management and reporting of the Division.

The successful candidate will provide timely and accurate financial information, commercial support and financial insight to support operational and strategic decision-making across the business.

About The Role

The Divisional Finance Controller will be responsible for the effective financial control and reporting of the Division, ensuring financial performance is accurately reported, effectively managed and aligned with the Company's business aims and objectives.

Working closely with the Finance Director, the role will provide financial insight, challenge and support to operational and commercial teams, helping to ensure the Division operates in a financially controlled, cost-effective and sustainable manner.

The role will also be responsible for maintaining robust financial controls and processes, monitoring financial performance and identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, profitability and the quality of financial information.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for the financial control and reporting of the Division.
• Prepare, review and deliver accurate monthly management accounts and financial reporting within agreed deadlines.
• Provide clear analysis of divisional financial performance, including turnover, gross profit, overheads, operating profit, cash flow and key financial indicators.
• Lead the month-end close process, ensuring journals, accruals, prepayments, provisions, reconciliations and other accounting entries are completed accurately and on time.
• Review actual performance against budgets, forecasts and prior periods, identifying significant variances and ensuring appropriate corrective actions are agreed and monitored.
• Lead the preparation, maintenance and regular review of divisional budgets and financial forecasts.
• Provide financial challenge and support to operational and commercial managers in relation to budgets, costs, profitability and financial performance.
• Monitor project and contract financial performance, including revenue recognition, costs, margins, work in progress, accruals, provisions and anticipated final outcomes.
• Review project and contract financial information with relevant managers and identify financial risks, opportunities and areas requiring management action.
• Monitor and manage divisional cash flow and working capital, including debtors, creditors, payment cycles and cash collection.
• Review customer and subcontractor balances and ensure appropriate action is taken to manage outstanding balances and reduce financial risk.
• Ensure robust financial controls are maintained across the Division and that Company policies and procedures are consistently followed.
• Ensure accounting systems and financial data are maintained accurately and in accordance with Company financial controls.
• Support the administration, maintenance and development of Microsoft Business Central and other financial systems.
• Support the preparation of quarterly VAT returns and other statutory or external reporting requirements.
• Provide financial information and analysis to support commercial and operational decision-making.
• Identify financial risks and ensure these are communicated to the appropriate management team with suitable mitigation actions.
• Assist with the review of statutory accounts and year-end financial information.
• Act as a point of contact for external auditors and provide accurate and timely information in response to audit requests.
• Lead and support the development and continuous improvement of finance processes, systems and controls.
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, strengthen controls and improve the quality and timeliness of financial information.
• Provide financial guidance, support and coaching to finance and non-finance colleagues as appropriate.
• Actively contribute to business-wide reporting, financial improvement and system enhancement initiatives.

Essential Requirements

• Fully qualified accountant - CA, ACCA or CIMA
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including management accounts, statutory accounts, VAT and audit.
• Strong knowledge of contract accounting, WIP and percentage completion methods.
• Experience of managing month-end close, audit and regulatory compliance.
• Proven experience of financial control, reporting and cash flow management in a commercial environment.
• Strong leadership and communication skills.
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Previous experience as a Finance Controller, Senior Finance Manager or similar senior finance role.
• Ability to work on own initiative, meet financial and company deadlines and work effectively as part of a team.
• Experienced Microsoft 365 user.
• Proficiency with ERP/accounting systems.

Why Join Us?

• Competitive salary and benefits
• Long-term, stable employment with a respected civil engineering contractor
• Opportunities for training and career progression
• Opportunity to play a key role in the financial management and development of the Division
• Work closely with senior management and operational teams
• Opportunity to contribute to business-wide financial improvement and system enhancement initiatives