Financial Controller

Elevation Recruitment Group; Burnley; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Elevation Recruitment Group in Burnley is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to own the finance function and establish robust controls and reporting to support growth. Reporting to the Finance Director, you'll drive month-end close, improve processes, and partner with operations to deliver accurate management accounts and cash flow insights.

Experience in SME manufacturing environments and strong Excel skills are highly valued.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA and strong management reporting experience.
• Experience in SME finance environments and manufacturing costing.
• Excellent Excel skills and proficiency with accounting systems.
• Ability to build finance processes and finance-business partnering.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance function across management accounts, cashflow, and payroll.
• Own month-end close and production of accurate management accounts.
• Improve month-end timetable, controls and reporting processes.
• Develop Sage 50 usage to improve visibility and accuracy.
• Strengthen reporting around cost of sales, margins and performance.
• Improve balance sheet controls, reconciliations and governance.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning.
• Coordinate year-end accounts and audit with external advisers.

Skills

Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Excel proficiency

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

Sage 50

ERP systems

Job description

I’m working exclusively on a newly created Financial Controller opportunity with a highly successful, growing business in the Burnley area.

Following significant investment and ambitious plans for further organic and acquisitive growth, the business is going through an exciting period of transformation. As part of this, they are looking for a hands-on Financial Controller who can take ownership of the finance function and help build the infrastructure, controls and reporting needed to support the next stage of growth.

This is not a role where you will simply inherit a well-established finance function. There is genuine scope to make your mark, improve processes, strengthen controls and develop the way finance supports the wider business.

Reporting directly to the Finance Director and working closely with the senior leadership team, you will take responsibility for the day‑to‑day finance function and play a key role in driving change.

The role will include:

• Leading and developing the finance function across management accounts, credit, purchase ledger and payroll
• Taking ownership of the month‑end close and production of accurate management accounts
• Improving the month‑end timetable, controls and reporting processes
• Developing the use of Sage 50 to provide greater visibility and accuracy across the business
• Strengthening reporting around cost of sales, margins and business performance
• Improving balance sheet controls, reconciliations and financial governance
• Supporting budgeting, forecasting and scenario planning
• Leading cashflow and working capital reporting
• Overseeing VAT, PAYE, CIS, pensions and other statutory requirements
• Coordinating year‑end accounts and audit with external advisers
• Driving finance process, systems and reporting improvements
• Developing stronger business partnering between Finance and operational teams
• Providing financial insight and constructive challenge to senior stakeholders

We’re looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical accounting and management reporting experience, ideally gained within an SME environment.

You’ll need to be comfortable rolling your sleeves up and getting stuck into a finance function where there is plenty to improve. Strong Excel and accounting systems experience is important, as is the ability to work closely with both financial and non‑financial stakeholders.

Experience within a manufacturing environment would be beneficial, particularly around inventory, costing and margins, although this isn’t essential. Experience within a high‑growth environment would also be advantageous.

What makes this opportunity particularly interesting is the amount of change and growth ahead. The successful candidate will have the opportunity to help shape the finance function rather than simply maintain it.

I’d be very interested in speaking with you.