Financial Controller

Sheridan Maine London; City Of London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Sheridan Maine London is recruiting a Financial Controller for a well-established business in Central London. The role is a 15-month maternity cover, leading the finance function and partnering with the business during a growth period.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will lead the finance team, manage month-end and year-end close, and provide robust financial insight. ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualifications and 3+ years PQE are required.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with at least three years post-qualified experience.
• Experience in a commercially focused finance environment, hospitality/retail/food service is preferred.
• Strong month-end and year-end close experience and external audit management.
• Confident presenting financial information to senior stakeholders and challenging incentives for improvement.
• Hands-on, resilient style balancing strategic thinking with operational detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead, develop and mentor the finance team with clear accountability and high standards.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, supplier payments and staff expenses.
• Own the month-end and year-end close and ensure timely reporting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts and maintain the balance sheet with reconciliations.
• Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts and provide insights into cash position and risks.
• Manage fixed asset register and ensure strong financial controls.
• Review VAT returns and assist with corporation tax preparation.
• Coordinate payroll with the outsourced provider and resolve queries.
• Be the primary contact for external auditors and support statutory statements.
• Lead annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting across the business.
• Provide financial analysis on trading performance, margins and cost control.
• Identify opportunities to automate and standardise processes and systems.
• Support Head of Finance on ad hoc projects and strategic initiatives.

Skills

Financial leadership

Month-end close

Stakeholder engagement

Process improvement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Tools

Excel

ERP/Accounting software

Audit software

Payroll software

Job description

Financial Controller - 15-Month Maternity Cover Contract Central London

"Control your own destiny or someone else will." Jack Welch.

Sheridan Maine is delighted to be recruiting a Financial Controller for a well-established and growing organisation based in Central London. This is a 15-month maternity cover contract offering the opportunity to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and play a key role in supporting the organisation through an exciting period of growth.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you will lead the finance team and oversee financial control, month-end and year-end close, management reporting, cash flow, VAT, payroll and external audit. You will also contribute to improving systems and processes, providing financial insight and supporting wider business decision-making.

Your responsibilities as the Financial Controller will include:

• Lead, develop and mentor the finance team, ensuring clear accountability and high standards.
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, supplier payments and staff expenses.
• Own the month-end and year-end close, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Oversee the preparation of monthly management accounts and maintain the balance sheet, ensuring reconciliations are completed and reviewed.
• Prepare rolling cash flow forecasts and provide insight into cash position and potential risks.
• Manage the fixed asset register and ensure financial controls remain effective.
• Review and submit VAT returns and oversee corporation tax preparation.
• Manage the payroll process, working with the outsourced payroll provider and resolving queries where required.
• Act as the key contact for external auditors and support the preparation of statutory financial statements.
• Lead annual budgeting and regular reforecasting across key areas of the business.
• Provide financial analysis and insight into trading performance, margins, labour and cost control.
• Identify opportunities to improve, automate and standardise finance processes and systems.
• Support the Head of Finance with ad hoc projects and wider strategic initiatives.

To be considered for this Financial Controller position, you will have/be:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified with at least three years' post-qualified experience.
• Experience within a commercially focused finance environment, ideally within hospitality, retail, hotels or restaurants.
• Strong experience of managing month-end and year-end close processes.
• Previous experience managing external audits and statutory reporting.
• Confident presenting financial information and providing constructive challenge to senior stakeholders.
• Experience improving finance processes, strengthening controls and driving efficiencies.
• A hands-on, resilient approach with the ability to balance strategic thinking with operational detail.

What's on Offer?

• A 15-month maternity cover contract with an established and growing organisation.
• A senior finance role with broad responsibility across financial control, reporting and business partnering.
• The opportunity to lead and develop a finance team.
• The opportunity to improve systems, processes and controls while supporting business growth.

If you're a qualified Financial Controller looking for a broad and hands-on 15-month contract where you can make a genuine impact, we'd love to hear from you.

You are required to be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction.

Due to the high volume of applications, it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within five days, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful.