Finance Controller

Hitchenor Wakeford Limited; Leeds; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A high-growth, PE-backed business in Leeds is seeking a Financial Controller to lead the financial control function. This role demands strong technical accounting skills and experience in transforming finance environments. Candidates should be willing to engage hands-on during initial stages of change and have leadership experience in managing finance teams. This is an exciting opportunity to enhance financial operations in a pivotal phase for the company.

Qualifications

• Proven Financial Controller experience.
• Experience in a growing organisation, ideally with PE exposure.
• Ability to transform under-invested finance environments.

Responsibilities

• Own and lead the financial control environment.
• Be hands-on while reshaping the team.
• Direct line management of senior finance professionals.

Skills

Strong technical accounting

Financial controls

Leadership

Systems and process mindset

Job description

HW Finance are delighted to be partnering with a high-growth, PE-backed business, who are looking for a technically strong Financial Controller.

This role will be incredibly hands-on and will be involved helping to lead a transformation of its finance function and redefine "what good looks like" across controls, processes and team capability.

The Opportunity

This is a rare chance to take ownership of the financial control function at a pivotal point in the company’s private equity lifecycle (2-3 years from a planned exit). You’ll play a key role in stabilising and enhancing financial operations in an organisation where the infrastructure has historically lagged behind commercial success - and is now catching up fast.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and lead the financial control environment - significantly enhance processes, policies and governance
• Be hands-on in the early stages while you reshape the team and structure
• Direct line management of 2 senior finance professionals, with total team of 8
• Collaborate cross-functionally as the business improves ERP processes
• Partner with senior leadership and prepare the business for eventual PE exit

What We’re Looking For

• A proven Financial Controller with strong technical accounting and controls experience
• Experience in a growing organisation, ideally with PE exposure
• Demonstrated ability to transform under-invested finance environments
• Willingness to roll up sleeves and get into the detail during early stages of change
• Leadership experience across a broad finance team, including transactional finance and commercial finance support
• Strong systems and process mindset