Financial Controller

Quality Personnel; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency in Milton Keynes is seeking a Financial Controller to oversee the finance function. In this role, you will lead budgeting and forecasting activities while ensuring statutory compliance and driving financial performance. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with hands-on experience in financial management within an SME, aiming for strategic growth.

Qualifications

• Experience in successfully managing a finance function.
• Commercially minded with a track record of improving financial systems.
• Experience in loan raising and managing relationships with financiers.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting.
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, and funding requirements.
• Ensure compliance with statutory accounting standards and tax regulations.

Skills

Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA)

5+ years' experience at Financial Controller level

Project delivery and people management

Advanced IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel

Strong technical accounting skills

Ability to communicate financial information

Job description

Overview

We are recruiting for a manufacturer in Milton Keynes who is looking for an office-based Financial Controller to join their busy finance team.

The Financial Controller will take full ownership of the finance function supporting the managing director and senior leadership team by taking the lead of strategic and operational development of the finance department. This is a hands-on role requiring a qualified accountant with strong commercial acumen, capable of driving financial performance and supporting long-term business growth.

As the most senior finance professional, the Financial Controller will:

• Lead financial planning, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting
• Provide strategic insight and challenge to the Board
• Ensure compliance with statutory accounting standards, tax regulations, and audit requirements
• Support in company secretary administration duties, including maintaining statutory records, preparing board and shareholder meeting minutes, and ensuring timely filings with Companies House
• Identify opportunities for financial efficiency and investment
• Develop robust internal controls and risk management processes
• Partner with operational teams to support decision-making
• Monitor cash flow, working capital, and funding requirements
• Liaise with external auditors, HMRC, banks, and other stakeholders
• Oversee payroll and pensions, ensuring accuracy, statutory compliance, and adherence to UK legislation (including auto-enrolment and RTI)

This role demands a proactive and resilient individual who can challenge assumptions, deliver actionable insights, and support decision-making across the business. Operating within an SME environment, the successful candidate will demonstrate strategic adaptability in response to fluctuating market conditions, evolving operational demands, and changing financial landscapes.

As Financial Controller, you will play a pivotal role in ensuring financial stability, supporting strategic growth, and maintaining compliance across the company.

Strategic & Leadership Responsibilities

• Work closely with the Managing Director and Senior Management to ensure ongoing financial stability and viability.
• Identify and support opportunities for growth through acquisitions, diversification, and business development.
• Actively contribute to strategic planning, business development, and decision-making.
• Provide effective leadership and performance management to support and develop a team of three
• Deliver financial insight and commentary to the Board to support strategic decisions.

Financial Management & Compliance

• Ensure the company's financial systems are robust, compliant, and scalable for future growth.
• Oversee all financial transactions and accountancy duties, ensuring accuracy and integrity.
• Prepare company budgets, statutory accounts, and management accounts.
• Lead the year-end process and liaise with external auditors to ensure an efficient audit.
• Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory obligations.
• Manage treasury matters and maintain strong relationships with banking partners.
• Monitor and manage the company's cash position, working capital, and forecasting.
• Support key CAPEX investment projects with financial planning, analysis, and recommendations.
• Oversee fixed asset management and depreciation calculations.
• Support in company secretary administration duties, including maintaining statutory company records, preparing and recording minutes for board and shareholder meetings, and ensuring timely filing of annual returns and other statutory documents with Companies House.
• Assist with monthly and annual stock takes as required.

Operational Finance & Controls

• Ensure finance staff comply with internal control systems.
• Provide financial modelling and analysis to support business decisions.
• Oversee payroll and pension operations, ensuring compliance with UK legislation including auto-enrolment.

Skills / Attributes Required

• The ideal candidate will demonstrate a strong blend of technical expertise, commercial awareness, and leadership capability. Key requirements include:
• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA) with a minimum of 5 years' experience at Financial Controller level
• Proven experience in successfully managing a finance function within a company
• Strong understanding of business dynamics and financial management in an SME environment
• Skilled in both project delivery and people management
• Ability to perform under pressure and make critical decisions confidently
• Experience in loan raising and managing relationships with financiers
• Commercially minded with strong technical accounting skills and a track record of improving financial processes and systems
• Strategic thinker with the ability to develop and implement robust business plans
• Proficient in analysing and interpreting complex financial information
• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• Hands-on approach to finance, including accounts preparation and month-end reporting
• Resilient and adaptable in fast-changing environments
• Able to manage projects effectively to deliver strategic objectives
• Experience in managing and developing a team, with a focus on performance and growth
• Demonstrated ability to influence and drive business change
• Advanced IT skills, particularly in Microsoft Excel

Performance Expectations

• Attend work reliably and on time.
• Complete tasks accurately and efficiently.
• Meet targets and deadlines.
• Communicate and work well with others.
• Adapt to changing business needs.
• Maintain professionalism at all times.

Quality Personnel acting as an Employment Agency & Business (rated as one of the top 3 Agencies in Milton Keynes for the 5th year running!).

Please note due to the volume of applications we receive you will only be contacted if we are progressing your application