Financial Controller

Lusona Consultancy (group) Limited; Falkirk; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company car

Pension scheme: 10% employer and 5%‑em

4 statutory holidays + 26 days leave

Job summary

SDM Group, a long-established automotive retail business headquartered in Falkirk, is seeking a Financial Controller who will own the finance function and sit on the Senior Leadership Team.

You will lead a team of four, deliver monthly management accounts, strengthen cash management, and provide commercial support to drive profitability across the business. This office-based role requires ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent and a hands-on, strategic approach within a privately owned company.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA preferred.
• Experience leading finance in a fast-paced trading environment.
• Strong technical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Hands-on, pragmatic approach suited to a privately owned business.
• Ability to influence senior stakeholders and support commercial decisions.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational financial support to the Managing Director and General Manager.
• Lead, develop and mentor a team of four.
• Produce monthly management accounts with clear insight into business performance.
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships and financial controls.
• Oversee month-end compliance and financial administration.
• Deliver commercial analysis and constructively challenge operational performance.
• Support profitability across the whole business.
• Liaise with the external payroll provider on monthly payroll.
• Provide broader operational and people support across the business.

Skills

Technical skills

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

Kerridge (CDK Global)

Job description

Financial Controller

Location: Falkirk (Head Office, Middlefield Road)
Working pattern: Office based
Hours: Full-time, Permanent

Lusona is delighted to be exclusively partnering with SDM Group to appoint an exciting new Financial Controller.Established in 1966 and family owned ever since, SDM Group is one of Scotland's longest-established automotive retail businesses. Headquartered in Falkirk, it operates across two sites and represents one franchise - Mazda. Providing new and used vehicle sales, servicing, parts, fleet solutions and finance services, along with its own Accident Repair Centre. Built on values of trust, respect, teamwork and excellent customer service, SDM combines almost six decades of heritage with a friendly, close-knit culture where people work collaboratively and support one another.

The Role

Reporting to the Managing Director and General Manager, the Financial Controller will take ownership of the finance function and play a key role within the Senior Leadership Team. Leading a team of four, you will deliver insightful management information, strengthen financial controls and cash management, and provide the commercial support and challenge that drives profitability across the whole business.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational financial support to the Managing Director and
• General Manager.
• Lead, develop and mentor a team of four.
• Produce monthly management accounts with clear insight into business
• performance.
• Manage cash flow, banking relationships and financial controls.
• Oversee month-end compliance and financial administration.
• Deliver commercial analysis and constructively challenge operational
• performance.
• Support profitability the whole business.
• Liaise with the external payroll provider on monthly payroll.
• Provide broader operational and people support across the business.

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA preferred).
• Proven ability to take ownership of a finance function within a fast-paced
• trading environment.
• Strong technical, analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent attention to detail and high professional standards.
• A hands-on, pragmatic approach suited to a privately owned business.
• The confidence and credibility to influence senior stakeholders and support
• commercial decision-making.
• Experience leading and developing a team.
• Automotive retail or dealership experience would be highly advantageous,
• and experience of Kerridge (CDK Global) highly desirable.

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary.
• Company car.
• Pension scheme: 10% employer and 5% employee contribution.
• 26 days' annual leave plus 4 statutory holidays, with additional leave after
• 10 years' service.
• A seat on the Senior Leadership Team of a respected family-owned business.
• A friendly, collaborative and supportive working environment.

If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership of a finance function and make a real commercial impact within a respected family business, we would love to hear from you.