Divisional Financial Controller

Cedar; Leeds; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cedar is seeking an experienced Divisional Financial Controller to own the end-to-end financial control and close process for a significant operating division. The role will deliver accurate, commentary-ready information to support commercial performance and delivery against the investment plan.

Based in Leeds four days per week, you will report to the Divisional Finance Director with a dotted line to Group Financial Controller, ensuring robust P&L and balance sheet control and strong

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Significant experience as Financial Controller or Divisional Controller.
• Experience in fast-paced, PE-backed services/contracting environments.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end divisional month-end close including trial balance, journals, P&L review and balance sheet sign-off.
• Review TB against prior month, budget and forecast; identify adjustments.
• Direct management of revenue recognition, accruals and provisions; challenge judgements.

Skills

Financial controls

Month-end close

Revenue recognition

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

This PE-backed, multi-divisional services group is seeking an experienced Divisional Financial Controller to take ownership of the end-to-end financial control and close process for a significant operating division.

The position will provide the Divisional Finance Director with accurate, reliable and commentary-ready financial information, enabling greater focus on commercial performance, operational decision-making and delivery against the investment plan.

The Company

A large, investor-backed services group operating through multiple divisions, entities and service lines. The business has a complex finance structure combining divisional teams with centralised reporting and FP&A capabilities.

The group is focused on strengthening financial control, standardising reporting processes and improving the quality, accuracy and pace of financial information across the organisation.

The Role

Based in Leeds 4 days per week and reporting directly to the Divisional Finance Director, with a dotted reporting line to the Group Financial Controller, you will be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the divisional P&L and balance sheet. This is a visible role requiring strong financial control, technical accounting and stakeholder management capability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the end-to-end divisional month-end close, including the trial balance, journals, P&L review and balance sheet sign-off
• Reviewing the trial balance against prior month, budget and forecast
• Identifying required adjustments and providing clear instructions to the General Accounting team
• Directing Management Accountants on revenue, direct cost and materials accruals
• Managing judgement-based accounting across revenue, WIP, direct costs and provisions
• Reviewing and challenging revenue recognition, accruals, provisions and other accounting judgements
• Leading the production and sign-off of the divisional results pack
• Submitting accurate financial information to Group Reporting within the agreed timetable
• Providing the Divisional Finance Director with commentary on actuals, run-rate performance and accounting movements
• Acting as the first point of escalation for accounting policy and process queries within the division
• Ensuring compliance with group accounting policies, processes and reporting standards
• Maintaining a dotted-line relationship with the Group Financial Controller on technical accounting, governance and close compliance
• Working with the FP&A Centre of Excellence to support management information, forecasting and planning cycles

Your Profile

• Fully qualified accountant, with ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Significant Financial Controller or Divisional Controller experience
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including revenue recognition, WIP, accruals and provisions
• Ideally, experience within services, outsourced services, contracting or project-led environments
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, PE-backed environment