Finance Controller

HW Finance; Essex; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits

Job summary

HW Finance seeks an experienced Operations Finance Manager to lead the day-to-day finance function within our SME environment. Reporting to the General Manager, you will drive profitability, robust controls and commercial insight.

This hands-on role covers management accounts, cash flow, budgeting, costing, payroll and the annual audit. You will partner with operations teams to optimise performance and support strategic decisions.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with experience in Finance Controller, Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner roles.
• Strong management accounting experience and commercial partnering skills.
• Advanced Excel and experience using finance systems; proactive in improving processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance function with robust controls and accurate reporting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, commentary and KPI reporting for group submission.
• Own cash flow, purchase ledger, sales ledger, payroll and banking activities.
• Partner with operational teams to provide costing, profitability analysis and commercial insight.
• Drive improvements to systems, processes and controls; support budgeting and forecasting.
• Lead the annual audit process and liaise with external stakeholders.
• Provide financial analysis to support strategic decision-making and operational efficiency.

Skills

Management accounting

Commercial awareness

Business partnering

Excel

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Finance systems

Job description

Operations Finance Manager

Grays Competitive Salary + Benefits

Are you looking for a role where you can genuinely influence the direction of a growing business rather than simply report the numbers?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Finance Controller to join a well-established, family-owned business that has recently become part of a larger, growing group. Following this period of investment and growth, the business is looking for a commercially minded finance professional to take ownership of the finance function and partner closely with the General Manager to drive performance.

This is a broad, hands‑on position where you'll have the autonomy to improve processes, strengthen controls and provide meaningful commercial insight across the business.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will oversee the day-to‑day finance function while acting as a trusted business partner to operational and commercial teams. You'll play a key role in supporting strategic decision‑making, improving profitability and helping shape the future direction of the business.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working within an SME environment, wants visibility across the whole business and is keen to make a tangible impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day‑to‑day finance function, ensuring robust financial controls and accurate reporting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial commentary and KPI reporting for group submission.
• Take ownership of cash flow, purchase ledger, sales ledger, payroll and banking activities.
• Partner with operational teams to provide commercial analysis, costing and profitability reporting.
• Drive improvements to finance systems, processes and controls.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and business planning.
• Lead the annual audit process and liaise with external stakeholders.
• Monitor project performance and provide financial insight to improve operational efficiency.
• Support senior management with strategic decision‑making through meaningful financial analysis.

About You

You'll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with previous experience in a Finance Controller, Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner position.

You'll also bring:

• Strong management accounting experience.
• Excellent commercial awareness and business partnering skills.
• Experience managing the full finance function within an SME or operational environment.
• A proactive approach to improving systems and processes.
• The confidence to challenge, influence and communicate with stakeholders across the business.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using finance systems.

Experience within engineering, manufacturing, construction or a similar operational environment would be advantageous but is by no means essential.

What's on Offer?

This is an opportunity to join a stable, growing business where finance is seen as a key commercial partner rather than a back‑office function. You'll have the autonomy to shape the role, improve the finance function and work closely with senior leadership as the business continues its growth journey.

If you're looking for a varied, commercially focused position where your ideas will be listened to and your impact will be visible, we'd love to hear from you.