Financial Controller

Artemis Clarke; Bristol; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Artemis Clarke is seeking a Financial Controller for a Bristol-based SME. You will build and lead the finance function, partnering with the directors to drive performance and ensure robust financial controls. The role blends hands-on management with strategic analysis to support growth and scale the finance operation.

You will recruit and develop a finance team, oversee reporting, and work with external auditors, banks and HMRC as the business advances towards its next growth phase.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a finance function in an SME.
• Strong communication with directors and external stakeholders.
• Proven track record in building processes and systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team as the business grows.
• Oversee monthly management accounts, budgets and cash flow.
• Prepare accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Manage VAT, tax, payroll, treasury and reporting to directors.
• Support statutory accounts preparation and annual audit.

Skills

Leadership

Stakeholder management

Financial analysis

Process improvement

Communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Job Overview

Job Title: Financial Controller

Location: Bristol

Package: £60k - £70k

Reporting to: Managing Director

Job Type: Full-Time

Our Client

Our client is a well established and profitable SME based on the outskirts of Bristol.

They are looking for an ambitious Financial Controller to take on their first number one in finance position. This is an excellent opportunity for someone who wants to build and lead a finance function, work closely with the Company Directors and progress towards a Finance Director role over the next few years.

The successful candidate will have the autonomy to recruit and develop a finance team around them as the business continues to grow.

There is some flexibility regarding salary, so it may still be worth having a conversation if your current expectations are slightly above the advertised range.

Financial Controller - The Role

As Financial Controller, you will take responsibility for leading and developing the finance function, improving existing systems and processes and introducing new solutions to support the continued growth of the business.

The role combines hands‑on financial management with commercial analysis and strategic input. You will work closely with the Company Directors, providing the financial insight they need to make informed decisions and helping to ensure the finance function is ready for the company's next stage of growth.

You will need to be comfortable operating in a fast‑paced SME environment, with the ability to move confidently between detailed financial work and broader commercial priorities.

Key Responsibilities

• Recruit, lead, mentor and develop the finance team as the business grows.
• Oversee the production of accurate and timely monthly management accounts.
• Prepare and monitor budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections.
• Provide clear and commercially focused management information to support the Company Directors.
• Ensure balance sheet and control accounts are fully reconciled.
• Prepare and maintain accruals and prepayments schedules.
• Oversee VAT, tax, payroll, treasury and cash flow management.
• Manage stock takes and ensure accurate stock reporting.
• Review, develop and implement systems, processes and controls to improve reporting, governance and scalability.
• Act as the main point of contact for the preparation of statutory accounts and the annual audit.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with external stakeholders, including auditors, banks and HMRC.
• Lead financial and business improvement projects as required.

The Successful Applicant

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with experience of working in an SME environment.

This role would suit someone who is ready to step into their first number one finance position and is motivated by the opportunity to build a team, influence business decisions and develop into a Finance Director role.

As Financial Controller, you will bring:

• A hands‑on and detail‑focused approach, combined with the ability to step back and see the bigger picture.
• The confidence and leadership skills to recruit, manage and develop a high‑performing finance team.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to work effectively across all levels of the organisation.
• Strong experience of improving financial systems, processes and controls.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to turn financial information into meaningful insight.
• A proactive, pragmatic and solutions‑focused mindset.
• The ambition and potential to progress into a Finance Director position as the business continues to grow.