Financial Controller

Head 4 Talent; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking an experienced Financial Controller for a growing PE-backed manufacturing services group in Greater London. The role involves leading the finance function, establishing robust financial controls, and delivering analytical insights. Candidates should be qualified accountants with strong working capital management skills, and experience in transforming finance operations. The position offers a significant opportunity to shape the finance department and act as a trusted partner to the CEO and other stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage small finance teams and uplift capability.
• Strong track record of delivering improvements in working capital.
• Experience in finance transformation or ERP implementation.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop accounting operations with three staff.
• Prepare management accounts and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Deliver month-end close and strengthen credit control routines.

Skills

Strong working capital management

Excel and financial modelling

Strengthening financial controls

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

Tools

Business Intelligence tools (e.g., PowerBi)

Job description

Head4Talent are currently working for a PE backed manufacturing services group based in Newbury that are about to embark on rapid expansion. As part of this growth, they are seeking to hire a Financial Controller to help create stronger financial controls, deeper analytical insight and a finance organization capable of supporting future growth.

The Financial Controller will lead, develop and professionalize the finance function, establishing robust financial control, working capital discipline and data-driven insight. This is a pivotal role in moving the business from founder-led ways of working to a scalable, PE standard finance operation.

Duties

• Own day-to-day accounting operations, leading and developing three staff
• Introduce structure, policy and discipline into all accounting processes (AP / AR, bank, reconciliations, inventory accounting)
• Deliver a robust, timely month‑end close with strong balance sheet control
• Prepare accurate management accounts and statutory accounts under UK GAAP
• Lead the year‑end audit process and ensure full compliance with regulatory requirements
• Build and embed financial policies, authorisation frameworks and control procedures
• Implement weekly cashflow forecasting with daily visibility of key movements
• Strengthen credit control routines and supplier term management, including the progression of suppliers from upfront payment to payment terms
• Partner with operations and supply chain to optimise and purchasing efficiency
• Build the first proper FP&A capability for the business delivering detailed pricing insight and margin analysis
• Produce monthly board reporting packs and lead forecasting, budgeting, scenario planning and KPI development
• Provide commercial and operational decision support across the business
• Lead (with support) finance systems / ERP improvements and automation initiatives
• Uplift the finance team through coaching, role clarity, structure and accountability
• Act as a trusted partner to operations, supply chain, commercial teams and the CEO
• Build credibility with the PE investors through accuracy, transparency and insight

Candidate Profile

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Strong working capital background with demonstrable improvement delivery
• Track record of strengthening financial controls and implementing standardised processes
• Experience managing small finance teams and uplifting capability
• Strong Excel and financial modelling skills

Desirable

• Experience within a PE‑backed or investment‑backed business
• Finance transformation or ERP implementation experience
• Exposure to multi‑site or multi‑service environments
• Experience of using / developing BI (Business Intelligence) tools e.g. PowerBi