Finance Controller - Freight Services

Hollybank Trustees Ltd; Warrington; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday loyalty scheme

Employee resource groups

Hybrid working

Company health care scheme

Enhanced maternity & paternity package

Job summary

GBA Logistics is hiring a Finance Controller for Freight Services in Warrington. You will lead financial controls, close, and reporting for UK/Europe, partnering with operations and commercial leaders. The role blends standalone work with support from the Group Transactions Team and European accountants.

Facing full accounting qualification, you will manage multi-entity reporting, cash flow, and DS reporting, while driving continuous improvement and TMS Finance integration.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with ongoing CPD.
• Strong knowledge of UK GAAP/FRS 102 and statutory reporting.
• Advanced Excel and experience with ERP and TMS platforms.
• Experience across multiple countries and with European accountants.
• Ability to design robust financial controls and governance.

Responsibilities

• Lead all financial activities for the Freight Services unit and act as finance business partner.
• Design and implement robust financial controls, processes and governance.
• Drive TMS implementation and related finance processes.
• Improve month-end close and deliver timely management reporting.
• Develop meaningful management information and reporting for decisions.
• Manage freight-forwarding financials: profitability, accruals, unbilled revenue.
• Oversee multi-entity reporting, intercompany reconciliations, and cash flow.
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting and audits across jurisdictions.
• Collaborate with Group Transactions and European accountants for reporting.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement and finance transformation.

Skills

Finance leadership

UK GAAP/FRS 102 knowledge

Advanced Excel

Power BI

Stakeholder management

Multi-country experience

Education

Accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

ERP systems

Power BI / BI tools

CargoWise / 1TMS

Job description

Location: On site / Warrington, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Accounting & Finance | Finance
Annual Salary range:from £ 60,000.00 to £ 70,000.00

We're Hiring a Finance Controller (Freight Services) at GBA Logistics

Location: Warrington, hybrid working (2 days WFH and 3 days in the office)

Are you a qualified finance leader with logistics industry experience who can build robust financial controls, accelerate month-end reporting and provide the commercial insight needed to drive performance across a growing international business? If so, we want to hear from you!

The Role

As the Freight Services Financial Controller, you will be the dedicated finance lead for our Freight Services business unit, responsible for strengthening financial control, implementing robust processes and improving reporting across the UK and Europe. Working initially as a standalone role, supported by the Group Transactions Team and third-party European accountants, they will implement an effective TMS and moth-end close, improve management information and achieve prior-month reporting within three weeks of period end.

What We Offer

Holiday loyalty scheme

Inclusive culture with employee resource groups

Flexibility of hybrid working

Company Health Care Scheme

Enhanced Maternity & Paternity Package

Key Responsibilities

• Lead all financial activities for the Freight Services business unit, acting as the primary finance business partner to operational and commercial leaders.
• Design and implement robust financial controls, processes and governance frameworks to improve financial accuracy and compliance.
• Drive the implementation and optimisation of the Transport Management System (TMS) and associated finance processes.
• Improve month-end close procedures and deliver timely, accurate management reporting, with a target of producing prior-month results within three weeks of period end.
• Develop meaningful management information and financial reporting to support operational and strategic decision-making.
• Manage freight forwarding financial activities, including job profitability, accruals, unbilled revenue, cost completeness, gross margin reporting and foreign currency exposure.
• Oversee multi-entity financial reporting, intercompany reconciliations, balance sheet controls, cash flow and working capital management.
• Ensure compliance with statutory reporting, audit requirements and financial regulations across multiple jurisdictions.
• Work closely with the Group Transactions Team and third-party European accountants to ensure consistent and accurate financial reporting.
• Challenge and influence operational and commercial stakeholders to improve financial performance and accountability.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement, standardisation and finance transformation across the business.
• Support the future development and growth of the finance function, including establishing team structures as the business expands.

About You

we’re looking for someone who brings:

• Fully qualified accountant: ACA, ACCA, CIMA or a recognised international equivalent (essential)
• Current professional membership and evidence of ongoing CPD (essential)
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP/FRS 102, financial controls and statutory reporting requirements (essential)
• Advanced Excel skills and demonstrable competence using finance, ERP and TMS platforms (essential)
• Degree in Accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline (desirable)
• Formal training in project management, change management, Lean or process improvement (desirable)
• Knowledge of IFRS, European accounting requirements, VAT and multi-currency reporting (desirable)
• Power BI, data analytics or management-information reporting training (desirable)
• Previous training or certification relating to TMS or finance-system implementation (desirable)
• Experience supporting operations across multiple countries, including working directly with third-party accountants in Europe (essential)
• Proven ability to operate as a standalone or lead finance professional while working with a shared transactions or central finance team (essential)
• Experience developing dashboards and management information using Power BI or similar reporting tools (desirable)
• Strong knowledge of freight-forwarding finance, including shipment accounting, revenue recognition, job costing, unbilled revenue, accruals, cost completeness and job-level profitability (essential)
• Experience recruiting, developing or building finance team (desirable)
• Knowledge of CargoWise, 1TMS or similar freight management systems (desirable)

About Us

GBA Logistics is a trusted provider of end-to-end supply chain solutions, delivering reliable freight, warehousing, and distribution services across multiple industries and countries. Backed by smart technology and a skilled team, we prioritise speed, transparency, and customer satisfaction—every step of the way. We’re committed to operational excellence, sustainability, and creating an inclusive workplace where people thrive.

We are an equal opportunities employer. Our people have made us the success that we are today and are the key to our continued growth moving forwards. We recognise the unique and valuable contributions that arise from a diverse and inclusive workforce built up from people with different backgrounds, cultures, experiences, and skillsets, that when combined together, help our business to thrive.

Our recruitment process is fair and equitable to ensure that all candidates are duly considered and supported. If you require any reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, please email our Recruitment Team via [e-mail] .

Please note that due to the high volume of applications, we may not be able to respond to everyone individually. However, if you would like feedback on your application, feel free to reach out to us directly.