Financial Controller

Bridge Recruitment Group Ltd; Essex; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

NEST workplace pension

Free on-site parking

24 days holiday + bank holidays

BrightHR employee discounts

Travel to Valencia, Spain

Job summary

Bridge Recruitment Group Ltd in Essex is seeking a Financial Controller to own UK and Spanish reporting, lead a small finance team and drive improvements through technology and AI. Ideal candidates are ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with 3+ years post-qualification experience, currently in Finance Manager or Financial Controller roles, and able to work on-site at Takeley five days a week with CFO collaboration.

Travel to Spain may be required.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA or CIMA with 3+ years post-qualification experience in industry.
• Experience as Finance Manager or Financial Controller.
• Strong technical accounting, month-end reporting, reconciliations and VAT.
• Proven ability to lead a small finance team.
• Commercial reporting and board reporting experience.
• On-site at Takeley, UK, five days a week.
• Experience with international entities and multi-currency transactions advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end close, reconciliations and management accounts for UK and Spanish entities.
• Prepare financial reports and board reporting in partnership with the CFO.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, funding and banking activities.
• Oversee VAT, tax compliance, intercompany transactions and year-end accounts.
• Collaborate with operations on budgets, job costing and project profitability.
• Lead and develop a two-person finance team.
• Strengthen controls and automate processes with technology/AI.
• Coordinate with Spain accountants/advisers and internal stakeholders.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Finance management

Team leadership

Month-end reporting

VAT/compliance

Strong communication

Tech/AI interest

On-site work

Education

ACCA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Job description

Role: Financial Controller

Salary: £60,000-£65,000 plus benefits

Job Status: Permanent, Full Time

Location: Essex (Office Based)

Vacancy Reference: VR/05482

Role Description:

Are you an ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified Finance Manager or Financial Controller looking for your next challenge? Would you like to take ownership of a finance function within a growing international business, lead a small team and play a key role in improving processes through technology and AI?

We are recruiting on behalf of a successful and rapidly growing business within the exhibition, signage and events industry, delivering major projects across the UK, Europe and the US.

Our client is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to work closely with the CFO, overseeing financial reporting across UK and Spanish operations, managing a team of two and ensuring robust financial controls are in place.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded finance professional who enjoys a varied, hands-on role and wants to make a genuine impact within a growing organisation.

Key Responsibilities:

• Take ownership of month-end close, reconciliations and management accounts across UK and Spanish entities.
• Prepare accurate financial reports and support the CFO with board reporting.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, supporting cash management, funding and banking activities.
• Oversee VAT, tax compliance, intercompany transactions and year-end accounts.
• Work closely with operational and project teams on budgets, job costing and project profitability.
• Lead, support and develop a small finance team of two.
• Strengthen financial controls and improve accounting processes.
• Identify opportunities to introduce automation, AI and new technology to improve efficiency.
• Build strong working relationships with colleagues, external accountants and advisers in Spain.

About You:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, ideally with at least 3 years' post-qualification experience in industry.
• Currently working as a Finance Manager or Financial Controller.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including month-end reporting, reconciliations, accruals and VAT.
• Proven experience managing and developing a finance team.
• Confident producing management accounts and providing meaningful commercial insight.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to work effectively across all areas of a business.
• A proactive, hands-on approach with excellent attention to detail.
• A genuine interest in technology, AI and process automation.
• Able to work on-site in Takeley five days per week.
• Experience working with multiple companies, international entities, multi-currency transactions or project-based businesses would be advantageous.

What's on Offer?

• £60,000-£65,000 salary, depending on experience.
• 24 days' holiday plus bank holidays.
• NEST workplace pension.
• Free on-site parking.
• Employee benefits and discounts through BrightHR.
• Opportunity to work closely with the CFO and influence business decisions.
• Exposure to international operations, with occasional travel to Valencia, Spain.
• The chance to lead improvements in financial systems, automation and AI.
• A supportive working environment within an ambitious, growing business.

Applicants must have the right to work in the UK. Visa sponsorship and relocation support are not available.