Financial Controller

Sterling UK Construction Ltd; Cross Hands; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Sterling UK Construction Ltd, Cross Hands, is seeking a Financial Controller to lead the finance function. You will own the monthly close, provide management accounts, and forecast cash flow while engaging with external auditors and HMRC.

This hands-on role leads a small team and informs strategy with financial insight. The role reports to the part-time Finance Director in a growing construction business with strong emphasis on systems, controls and governance.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience running a month-end close and management accounts packs.
• Strong cash flow forecasting and working capital management.
• Experience leading external audits and HMRC compliance (VAT, CIS, PAYE).
• Experience preparing FRS 102 statutory accounts.
• Experience accounting for long-term contracts including WIP valuation.
• Construction/accounting for property development is advantageous.
• Advanced Excel skills and Sage experience.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close timetable end to end with balances and reconciliations.
• Produce the monthly management accounts pack with variance commentary against budget/forecast.
• Prepare WIP working papers and oversee CVR reporting for SPVs.
• Own the cash flow forecast and day-to-day cash management.
• Act as primary contact for external audits and HMRC queries.
• Lead VAT, CIS, PAYE/NIC and Companies House filings across entities.
• Prepare corporation tax computations and CT600 returns.
• Support budgeting, quarterly reforecast and site profitability analysis.
• Provide financial insight to the senior leadership team for decisions.
• Work with the Finance Director on board pack, lender reporting and covenant compliance.
• Authorize payments and journals within delegated limits; maintain segregation of duties.
• Develop and document finance systems, procedures and controls in Sage as the business scales.
• Manage, coach and develop a small finance team.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial forecasting

People management

Board communications

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Tools

Sage

Job description

Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire | Full-time, office-based | £55,000 – £65,000 per annum

About Us

Sterling UK Construction Ltd is a Welsh construction contractor, established in 2011 and based in Cross Hands, Carmarthenshire. We deliver residential and commercial projects for our clients on time, within budget and to a high standard, led by skilled, professional teams who work collaboratively with clients, consultants and the supply chain. Our reputation has been built on experience, reliability and a commitment to social value in the communities where we work.

The Role

The Financial Controller is the operational and technical lead of our finance function. You'll own the monthly close from start to finish, the monthly management accounts pack, cash flow forecasting and statutory compliance — and you'll be the primary contact for our external auditors, HMRC and other key stakeholders. Reporting to our part-time Finance Director, you'll manage a small team and support the senior leadership team with the financial insight they need to run and grow the business.

This is a hands-on leadership role in a fast-growing construction business — ideal for someone who combines technical strength with commercial judgement, and who wants to shape the systems, controls and team that will carry us through our next phase of growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close timetable end to end, reviewing entity trial balances, balance sheet reconciliations and month-end journals across the Group and SPVs
• Produce the monthly management accounts pack (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and KPIs) with clear variance commentary against budget and forecast
• Prepare the detailed WIP working paper and oversee development cost capitalisation and CVR reporting for each SPV
• Own the cash flow forecast, the weekly supplier payment list and day-to-day cash management
• Act as primary contact for the external audit, leading year-end planning, audit queries and key judgement areas such as WIP valuation and revenue recognition
• Act as primary contact for HMRC and own all compliance deadlines: VAT, CIS, PAYE/NIC, P11D and Companies House filings across all entities
• Prepare corporation tax computations and CT600 returns, working with our tax advisors
• Support with the annual budget and quarterly reforecast, and provide site-by-site profitability analysis
• Support the senior leadership team with financial insight, analysis and reporting to inform key business decisions
• Work closely with the Finance Director on the board pack, lender reporting, covenant compliance and drawdowns
• Authorise payments and journals within delegated limits, and maintain the approval matrix and segregation of duties
• Develop and document finance systems, procedures and controls in Sage as the business scales
• Manage, coach and develop a small finance team.

What We're Looking For

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• Proven experience running a month-end close and producing management accounts packs, ideally as a Financial Controller or senior Finance Manager
• Strong cash flow forecasting and working capital management experience
• Experience leading external audits and managing HMRC compliance (VAT, CIS, PAYE and corporation tax)
• Experience preparing FRS 102 statutory accounts
• Experience of accounting for long-term contracts under FRS 102, including revenue recognition and WIP valuation
• Construction and property development accounting experience is a strong advantage
• Advanced Excel skills and confident working in Sage
• A confident people manager who enjoys coaching and developing a small, growing team
• Commercially minded, able to communicate clearly with the board, lenders and non-finance colleagues
• Excited by the pace and ambition of a fast-growing business

What We Offer

Salary: £55,000 – £65,000 per annum, depending on experience.