Financial Controller

McCarthy Recruitment; Garswood; On-site; GBP 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Job summary

McCarthy Recruitment seeks a Financial Controller to own the end-to-end finance for two operating entities in the North West. The role demands hands-on controls, month-end processes, and a move toward stronger reporting and scalable finance infrastructure.

You will be the on-site finance lead, linking local operations with Group finance, driving structure and pace in a fast-moving business undergoing ERP implementation and governance improvements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in financial control across multi-site operations.
• Background in retail or hospitality environments.
• Strong reporting and controls discipline.
• Full UK driving licence.

Responsibilities

• Produce monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, reconciliations, variance analysis).
• Strengthen financial controls and improve MI quality and timeliness.
• Own budgeting, forecasting and KPI development.
• Drive cashflow forecasting and working capital discipline.
• Oversee VAT and CIS compliance with external/central support.
• Support project/costing with WIP and profitability insights.
• Lead embedding of NetSuite and preparation for shared services.
• Support on-site team and build effective relationships with Group finance.

Skills

Financial accounting

Stakeholder management

Commercial awareness

Education

ACA / ACCA / CIMA

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Job Title: Financial Controller

Location: Wigan

Salary: up to £70,000 per annum

Role: Permanent - Full time

A high-growth, private equity-backed group within the UK construction/infrastructure supply chain is hiring aFinancial Controllerto take ownership of finance acrosstwo recently acquired operating businessesin the North West. This is ahands-on, sleeves-rolled-uprole where you'll steady the ship short-term (controls, reconciliations, month-end, cash) and help lead the journey toward stronger reporting, improved systems and a more scalable finance model.

You'll be the on-site finance lead and the key link between local operational teams and the wider Group finance function—bringing structure, pace and clarity in an environment that's entrepreneurial, fast-moving and evolving. Over time, as a new ERP is embedded and shared services capability matures, the role will naturally shift towardvalue-add partnering, supporting operational leaders with sharper MI, better decision-making and improved commercial outcomes.

The Role

Own the end-to-end finance agenda for two operational entities (c.£20-25m combined turnover) in a lean environment

Join during a genuine transformation phase: strengthening controls, improving reporting, embedding systems and governance

Perfect for a high-calibre Management Accountant stepping up or an experienced Financial Controller who enjoys change, autonomy and building "proper finance" in a business that needs it

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control, Month-End & Reporting

• Produce monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, reconciliations, variance analysis)
• Strengthen financial controls and improve the quality, consistency and timeliness of MI
• Own budgeting, forecasting and KPI development, moving reporting from "basic" to decision-useful

Cash, Working Capital & Compliance

• Drive cashflow forecasting, working capital discipline and cash collection, working alongside central support functions
• Oversee statutory and tax compliance requirements (including VAT and CIS) with appropriate external/central support

Operational / Contract Accounting

• Support project and contract-based activity, including WIP and job profitability where projects span multiple months
• Translate numbers into practical insight for non-financial stakeholders, helping operational leaders improve margins and performance

Systems & Integration

• Play a key role in embedding a new ERP (NetSuite) locally, working with central system expertise rather than being left to "sink or swim"
• Improve processes and standardisation in readiness for a future shared services model

People & Stakeholder Management

• Support small on-site transactional resource (currently limited and mixed capability) and shape "what good looks like" going forward
• Build strong working relationships across local leadership and Group finance—this role succeeds through influence, credibility and delivery

About You

• Proven experience as an Area Manager (or equivalent multi-site role)
• Background in retail or hospitality (customer-led, fast-paced environments essential)
• Strong people leader with a track record of developing managers and teams
• Commercially astute with the ability to balance people, standards and results
• Confident working autonomously in a field-based role
• Comfortable operating in a compliance-led environment
• Approachable, credible and able to build rapport quickly at all levels
• Full UK driving licence

What's on Offer

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Strong management accounts and financial control capability, ideally in an operational, project-based or contracting environment
• Comfortable in a manual / imperfect environment—someone who will improve it, not complain about it
• Confident partnering with operational leaders who may be less finance-led—you can simplify, challenge and move things forward
• Systems mindset (NetSuite knowledge helpful but not essential)—you're able to work with a central systems lead and drive adoption on-site
• A proactive, energetic style: not a "processor"—you bring pace, pragmatism and strength of character

About us

This Financial Controller role is handled by McCarthy Recruitment, an award-winning multi-sector recruitment consultancy. We are committed to unlocking your full potential and finding your perfect role.

The Legal Bit

We are an equal opportunities employer and welcome applications from all suitably qualified persons regardless of their race, sex, disability, religion/belief, sexual orientation or age. By applying for this role, you are explicitly consenting for McCarthy Recruitment to hold and process your data in compliance with the General Data Protection Regulations. And your details will be added to our holding database. We process certain personal information about you for our legitimate business interests to identify and contact suitable candidates about positions that may be relevant to them. Details are set out in our privacy policy at privacy. If you wish to exercise your right to access, erase or restrict the processing of your data please contact us at the office and we will respond to your query