Financial Controller

Ariat; England; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Finance Manager to drive business objectives through effective financial management. This hybrid role, based in Harwell, Oxfordshire, involves overseeing financial controls, reporting, and analysis to enhance business performance. As a key leader, you will manage a dedicated finance team, prepare financial accounts, and ensure compliance with statutory requirements across multiple jurisdictions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a company that values innovation, integrity, and teamwork while enjoying a range of employee benefits in a supportive environment.

Benefits

Private Medical Insurance

Life Assurance

Critical Illness Cover

Employee Assistance Programme

Health & Wellbeing Points Scheme

Cycle to Work Scheme

Company Bonus Scheme

Employee Purchase Scheme

Employee Referral Programme

Birthday day off

Qualifications

• 5+ years qualified member of accountancy body.
• 4+ years SME financial controller experience.
• High level of financial technical competence.

Responsibilities

• Manage and motivate a dedicated Finance team.
• Preparation of monthly financial accounts and analysis.
• Lead on annual external audit and corporate tax reporting.

Skills

Financial Reporting

Budget Preparation

Team Leadership

Analytical Skills

Problem Solving

Communication Skills

Process Improvement

Compliance Focus

Customer Service Orientation

IT Literacy

Education

Qualified member of accountancy body (ACMA, ACCA, ACA)

Degree or equivalent

Tools

SAP S4 HANA

MS Office

Excel

Job description

*NO AGENCIES PLEASE

*Hybrid role, minimum 3 days per week office-based in Harwell, Oxfordshire

Job Details:

To direct, manage and deliver the business objectives through the Finance function to enable business strategic targets are achieved.

To have overall responsibility for:

• Ensuring robust financial controls, reporting & analysis are in place across all financial areas of debt collection, cost control, stock management, cashflow and currency management.
• To ensure financial system accurately records & reports business performance.
• Running the business finance function and driving initiatives that will continue to improve business performance and introduce efficiencies.
• To deputise for the Finance Director when appropriate.

Day to Day Responsibilities:

• Management & motivation of a small, dedicated Finance team.
• Preparation of local monthly financial & management accounts including reporting & analysis on staff & operating costs vs budget plans and YoY analysis.
• Ownership of submission of European business results into Group Consolidation.
• Robust & accurate Balance Sheet management & controls including stock valuations.
• Lead on annual external Audit, including support for corporate tax reporting across all European regions.
• Lead on local corporate tax reporting alongside support to Group tax reporting including local/Global transfer price compliance.
• Ensure that all company statutory, regulatory & legal requirements are satisfied across multiple country jurisdictions.
• Run & manage in conjunction with HR function accurate monthly payroll & pension payments including all appropriate HRMC & pension reporting & disclosure requirements.
• Provide support in building annual budget plans.
• Manage multi-currency Treasury function ensuring timely processing of payments, income & credits.
• Ensure up-to-date customer debt reporting including reconciliation and monitoring of ecommerce payment platforms to Sales. Work with customer service to resolve any outstanding reconciliation issues.
• Manage & control Ecommerce payment portals.
• Responsible for VAT submissions and control process across UK & Europe.
• Key business owner of all European financial elements of the SAP S4 HANA IT system driving continuous improvement & effectiveness of system.
• Finance lead for any business change initiatives requiring finance reporting system changes.
• Work with US Finance counterparts to ensure transparent inter-company processes.
• Optimize credit risk levels to minimize risk and maximize sales, adhering to process and working closely with sales.
• Manage all company insurance products.
• Work alongside the HR Manager to deliver all Finance recruitment, training, development, and performance management initiatives.
• Finance lead for business and cross-functional projects to achieve objectives within budget.
• Carry out any other appropriate tasks as designated by the Finance Director.
• Form a close working relationship with the management team to ensure good understanding of the business and support initiatives.

About You:

• 5+ years qualified member of accountancy body (ACMA, ACCA, ACA).
• Degree or equivalent.
• 4+ years SME financial controller or equivalent experience, ideally within an international SME.
• Experience of rapid growth within SME.
• Preferred omni-channel experience of both Wholesale and direct to consumer.
• International experience, ideally US and Europe.
• Finance Team leadership.
• High level of financial technical competence including budget preparation, cross border transactions including VAT and income taxes.
• Use of analytics to support business decisions.
• Knowledge of SAP desirable, including finance system improvements.
• Compliance focus.
• Process improvement & change management.
• Commercially astute.
• Pragmatic leadership.
• Excellent people management skills.
• Confident decision-making.
• Problem-solving & change management.
• Analytical and data reporting skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Organisation, planning, time management, and prioritisation.
• Teamwork.
• Presentation skills.
• Customer service orientation.
• IT literacy, especially MS Office and Excel.
• Self-motivated and willing to 'roll sleeves up' to solve team issues.
• Flexible, innovative, and a consensus builder.
• Passion for product.
• Personal drive and results orientation.
• Willingness to travel occasionally.
• Integrity and strong business ethics.

Values:

Our values are ingrained in everything we do at Ariat and drive our success:

• Innovation: Be bold, adventurous, and challenge the status quo. Learn from the past and create change for the better.
• Integrity: Do the right thing, build trust through consistency, dependability, and honesty.
• Quality: All work matters. Be proud and strive for excellence.
• Respect: Communicate openly and listen with an open mind. Recognize different perspectives.
• Teamwork: Foster fun, joy, and contribute to the team spirit. Share knowledge and support each other.

Benefits:

• Private Medical Insurance
• Life Assurance
• Critical Illness Cover
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Health & Wellbeing Points Scheme
• Cycle to Work Scheme
• Company Bonus Scheme
• Employee Purchase Scheme
• Employee Referral Programme
• Birthday day off
• Holiday Purchase Scheme
• Bring your dog to work scheme
• Employee Volunteering policy
• Flexible working policies
• Free onsite Parking including 2 electric charging points

Salary: £80,000 - £100,000 per annum + discretionary bonus and company benefits