Finance Controller – Interim

The CFO HQ; Gawcott; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Birthday off

Company pension

Hybrid work

25 days holiday

Job summary

Abbot Fire Group in Buckinghamshire is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Controller to join the leadership team on a 12-month fixed term contract with potential permanency. Based in Gawcott, you will oversee day-to-day financial management, ensure strong controls, compliant reporting, and provide commercial insight to support decision-making.

Reporting to the Managing Director, you will lead monthly close, manage payroll across two portfolios, and mentor finance staff while driving

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with recent Finance Controller experience in SME
• Strong knowledge of UK VAT, payroll compliance, audit processes
• Experience with Sage Intacct or Sage 50 is advantageous
• Leadership and mentoring ability in a small team

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly close process and prepare management accounts
• Monitor cash flow and working capital; provide KPIs for performance
• Ensure statutory/regulatory compliance (VAT, payroll, pensions, tax, Companies House)
• Oversee payroll activities; manage external auditors and advisors; mentor finance staff

Skills

Month-end close

Financial analysis

Budgeting and forecasting

Leadership & mentoring

UK statutory reporting

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification or equivalent

Tools

Sage Intacct

Sage 50

Job description

Abbot Fire Group is seeking an experienced Interim Finance Controller (12 months fixed term contract with the real possibility of permanency) to join our leadership team based in Gawcott, Buckingham.Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a key interim appointment responsible for overseeing the day-to-day financial management of the business, ensuring strong financial controls, compliance, accurate reporting, and providing commercial insight to support decision-making across the organisation.Operating within a successful fire protection services business with an annual turnover of approximately £3 million, this role would suit a qualified accountant or experienced finance professional who thrives in an SME environment and enjoys taking a hands-on approach while mentoring and supporting colleagues. Alongside this you will manage two other business portfolios’ within Complii’s Fire Division each with their separate Payroll, HMRC requirements and Balance Sheets.Your experience and accounting expertise will be fully utilised so if you’re a self-starter, happy to ‘hit the ground running’ we’d like to hear from you.What you receive for joining us:We offer a competitive salary dependent on experience together with the opportunity to play a pivotal role within a growing business. You'll work closely with the Managing Director and senior leadership team, helping to drive financial performance, business improvement initiatives, and strategic decision-making. We offer 25 days holiday per annum + Bank Holidays, your Birthday off, a company pension, working 40 hours per week in a friendly supportive office environment. This role also offers hybrid working (3 days in the Gawcott office, 2 days home based with very occasional visits to your portfolio sites.Here's a look at some of the things you'll be doing:Lead the monthly close process, prepare management accounts, monitor cash flow and working capital, and provide insightful financial reporting, analysis and KPIs to support business performanceEnsure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements including VAT, payroll, PAYE, pensions, corporation tax reporting, Companies House obligations and year-end audit preparationStrengthen financial controls, improve finance processes and systems, develop meaningful management information, and provide commercial insight to support operational and strategic decision-makingOversee payroll activities, manage relationships with external auditors and advisors, and provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to finance and administrative staffCan you show experience in some of these areas?Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or Qualified by Experience, with previous experience as a Finance Controller, Financial Controller, Finance Manager or similar senior finance professionalStrong experience of month-end close, management accounts production, financial analysis, cash flow management, budgeting and forecastingExcellent knowledge of UK statutory reporting, VAT, payroll compliance, audit processes and financial controls within an SME environmentExperience of mentoring and developing staff, with knowledge of Sage Intacct, Sage 50 or similar accounting systems advantageous; experience within construction, engineering, service or fire protection sectors would be beneficialIntroducing our organisation:Abbot Fire Group is proud to be part of Complii. Complii is a leading integrated provider of safety and regulatory compliance services across our water, air, fire, electrical and vertical transportation divisions, supporting organisations nationwide to operate safely, compliantly and responsibly