Financial Controller

Four Recruitment; Blackburn; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Four Recruitment is seeking a Financial Controller in the Blackburn area to lead management accounts, balance sheet and controls. You will drive robust financial reporting, partner with senior stakeholders and mentor a small finance team in a professional services environment.

The role combines day-to-day finance operations with business decision support, requiring a hands-on, technically strong qualified accountant with excellent attention to detail and experience in budgeting, forecasting and

Qualifications

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting and financial controls experience.
• Proven ability to deliver accurate management accounts and statutory reporting.
• Excellent attention to detail with high accuracy and clear communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow.
• Ensure timely balance sheet reconciliations, journals and outputs.
• Oversee accounts payable, supplier payments, approvals and controls.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and rolling forecasts processes.
• Manage annual audit and liaise with external advisors as required.
• Mentor a small finance team, develop processes and controls.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Technical accounting

Attention to detail

Analytical ability

Stakeholder management

Team leadership

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualified

Tools

Excel

Power BI

Job description

The Financial Controller will lead the management accounts and accounts payable function, ensuring accurate, timely and insightful financial reporting. The role requires a hands-on, technically strong qualified accountant with excellent attention to detail, strong financial control experience and the ability to support both day-to-day finance operations and wider business decision-making.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow reporting and variance analysis.
• Ensure all balance sheet reconciliations, journals and reporting outputs are accurate, complete and delivered to deadline.
• Ensure that the Partner Reconciliations are completed every month, and that all Partner Draw and payments are fully understood and reconciled.
• Maintain strong financial controls, processes and procedures across the finance function.
• Provide clear financial analysis and insight to support the Finance Director, Executive Board and Heads of Department.
• management and finance business partnering.
• Manage and mentor a small finance team, including management accounts and accounts payable.
• Oversee accounts payable processes, ensuring supplier payments, approvals and controls are robust and accurate.
• Support budget and forecasting processes, including developing rolling forecasts and improving the annual budget process.
• Manage the annual audit and liaise with external advisors as required.
• Review monthly payroll reports prepared by HR and external providers, ensuring accurate and timely payment of salaries, pensions and HMRC obligations.
• Manage and maintain appropriate financial controls for the banking, ensuring all access and rights are correct and appropriate.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of accounting, tax and legal sector compliance requirements, including the Solicitors Accounts Rules where relevant.
• Deliver and support ad hoc finance projects as required by the Finance Director.

Skills/Experience Required:

• Fully qualified accountant ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and financial control experience. Proven experience preparing accurate management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and statutory reporting.
• Excellent attention to detail and high standard of accuracy.
• Strong analytical skills, with ability to explain financial information clearly Strong ability to use Microsoft excel, power bi and other tools to improve reporting and controls.
• Experience managing deadlines, priorities and multiple workstreams. Confident working with senior stakeholders and supporting business decision-making.
• Experience managing or supporting a small finance team.
• Ideally you will come from a professional services, legal, accountancy practice or partnership/LLP background.