Financial Controller

Nirvana Search; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 81,000 - 99,000; Full time

Job summary

Nirvana Search is seeking a commercially astute Financial Controller in London, operating hybrid (3 days in office, 2 from home). The role offers up to £90,000 plus bonus and comprehensive benefits, reporting to the Finance Director.

You will own the day-to-day finance function, drive contract profitability, oversee month-end closes, and lead integration of acquired entities in a fast-paced, PE-backed growth environment.

Qualifications

• 5+ years post-qualification experience in construction/building services or similar.

Responsibilities

• Own project accounting controls and analyze contract profitability.
• Manage working capital, WIP, milestone billing, applications for payment, and credit control.
• Lead financial onboarding of acquired entities and support post-merger integration.
• Oversee month-end close, management accounts, and board packs with variance analysis.
• Drive process improvements to automate inventory and WIP tracking.
• Lead external audits and ensure tax, regulatory, and CIS compliance.

Skills

Financial leadership

Project accounting

WIP valuation

ERP / finance systems

Advanced Excel

Cash flow forecasting

Tools

ERP systems

Project management software

Job description

Location: London | Hybrid (3 days in the office, 2 days from home)

Package: Up to £90,000 + Bonus and Comprehensive Benefits

Nirvana Search is exclusively partnering with a highly successful, Private Equity-backed Specialist Contracting and Building Services group to recruit a commercially astute and technically robust Financial Controller.

Operating in a fast-paced, contract-led environment, the business is executing an aggressive buy-and-build strategy and undergoing a period of rapid acquisitive and organic growth.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the Finance Director, this is a fantastic opportunity for an impactful finance leader to take full ownership of the day-to-day finance function while adding significant strategic value to a highly acquisitive business.

You will be joining a dynamic PE-backed environment where you will not only ensure rigorous financial control but also partner closely with the Executive team to integrate newly acquired businesses, drive contract profitability, and build a highly scalable finance function.

This role is perfect for a senior finance professional with a strong background in project-driven environments, looking to take a pivotal leadership role in a buy-and-build growth story.

You will be responsible for:

• Project & Inventory Accounting: Take ultimate ownership of project accounting controls. Drive deep-dive analysis into contract profitability, ensuring robust inventory accounting, accurate stock valuations, and strict margin protection across all active sites.
• Working Capital & WIP Management: Direct rigorous cash flow forecasting and working capital management. Maintain exceptionally tight controls over WIP (Work in Progress), milestone billing, applications for payment, and credit control across the enlarged group.
• M&A & Post-Merger Integration: Play a critical role in the financial onboarding of newly acquired entities. Lead the alignment of reporting, systems, and controls, and support the wider executive team with financial due diligence.
• Financial Leadership & Reporting: Lead the end-to-end month-end close process and oversee the finance team, producing accurate, timely management accounts and comprehensive board packs with detailed variance analysis.
• Process Optimisation & Scalability: Spearhead continuous improvements across financial systems and workflows to drive efficiency, automate inventory/WIP tracking, and ensure the finance function can seamlessly scale with ongoing M&A activity.
• Audit & Statutory Compliance: Act as the primary lead for external auditors, managing the year-end audit process, statutory reporting, and ensuring full tax, regulatory, and CIS compliance for all group entities.

Knowledge and Experience

We are looking for a highly driven candidate who is ready to accelerate their career and step into a leadership position within a fast-paced, high-volume service environment.

• Industry Experience (Crucial): 5+ years post-qualification experience specifically within Construction, Building Services, Specialist Contracting, Hard FM, or a similar project-led environment.
• Technical Accounting: Deep, proven expertise in project accounting, WIP valuations, and inventory accounting is absolutely essential for this role.
• M&A & PE Exposure: Prior experience within a highly acquisitive or Private Equity-backed environment is a distinct advantage.
• Systems Savvy: Advanced Excel skills and a proven track record of upgrading and harmonising financial systems (ERP/Project management software) across multiple entities.

Personal Skills & Attributes

• Hands-on & Agile: A true "player-manager" who is willing to get into the detail of project margins while maintaining a strategic view of the broader group.
• Highly Organised: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines during periods of intensive M&A activity.
• Strong Communicator: Confident in challenging the status quo, presenting financial narratives to the board, and building relationships with operational project managers and commercial teams.
• Resilient: Thrives under the pressure of a rapidly growing, target-driven business.