Finance Controller - Interim

Complii; Gawcott; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + Bank Holidays

Birthday off

Company pension

Hybrid working

Job summary

Abbot Fire Group in Gawcott seeks an experienced Interim Finance Controller for a 12-month term with potential permanency. You will oversee day-to-day financial management, controls, reporting and provide commercial insight to support decision-making across the organisation.

Operating within a growing fire protection services SME with ~£3m turnover, this role suits a qualified accountant or senior finance professional who enjoys a hands-on approach and mentoring colleagues; hybrid working 3 days

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/ ACCA/ CIMA) or Qualified by Experience with senior finance background.
• Strong experience in month-end close, management accounts, financial analysis and forecasting.
• Experience with UK statutory reporting, VAT and payroll compliance in SME settings.
• Mentoring staff; knowledge of Sage Intacct or Sage 50 is advantageous; beneficial in fire/SME sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead the monthly close process, prepare management accounts and KPIs.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital and provide insightful reporting.
• Ensure VAT, payroll, pensions, corporation tax and Companies House compliance.
• Oversee payroll activities and mentor finance/admin staff; liaise with auditors.

Skills

Interim finance leadership

Financial reporting

Cash flow management

Mentoring staff

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or QBE

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 performance
• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements including VAT, payroll, PAYE, pensions, corporation tax reporting, Companies House obligations and year-end audit preparation
• Strengthen financial controls, improve finance processes and systems, develop meaningful management information, and provide commercial insight to support operational and strategic decision‑making
• Oversee payroll activities, manage relationships with external auditors and advisors, and provide leadership, coaching and mentoring to finance and administrative staff

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or Qualified by Experience, with previous experience as a Finance Controller, Financial Controller, Finance Manager or similar senior finance professional:

• Strong experience of month-end close, management accounts production, financial analysis, cash flow management, budgeting and forecasting
• Excellent knowledge of UK statutory reporting, VAT, payroll compliance, audit processes and financial controls within an SME environment
• Experience 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 beneficial

Introducing 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