Financial Controller

Forge Talent; Manchester; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus

Company pension

Private healthcare

25 days’ annual leave

Job summary

Forge Talent in South Manchester is seeking a Financial Controller to take ownership of the finance function as the business scales. You will work closely with the FD/CFO, deliver timely management accounts, and build a robust financial infrastructure to support growth.

The role covers statutory reporting, budgeting, cash flow management, and leading a finance team, with a focus on accuracy, controls and commercial insight for senior leadership.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• 2+ years’ experience in a Financial Controller-level role
• Experience in a services, recruitment or people-led business is advantageous

Responsibilities

• Own the integrity, accuracy and delivery of monthly financial reporting and management accounts.
• Take complete ownership of the balance sheet, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Manage cash flow, working capital and funding facilities, identifying pressure points early.
• Strengthen controls across billing, payroll, cash collection, payments and cost management.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and performance reviews across the business.
• Partner operational leaders and budget holders to improve financial accountability and decision-making.
• Provide the FD/CFO with commercial insight, challenge and visibility around performance and risk.
• Own statutory reporting, audit, tax, VAT and wider compliance requirements.
• Lead, develop and raise the standards of the finance team.
• Improve systems, processes and automation to create a more efficient and scalable finance function.

Skills

Technical accounting

Financial reporting

Cash flow management

Budgeting & forecasting

Commercial mindset

Leadership

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Forge Talent is working with a rapidly growing services business in South Manchester that is looking to bring in a Financial Controller as they enter the next stage of their journey.

They need someone who can take real ownership of finance, strengthen the foundations underneath the business and give the leadership team the financial visibility, control and insight needed to keep scaling.

You’ll work closely with the FD/CFO and take responsibility for the day-to-day performance of the finance function, while helping build a finance infrastructure capable of supporting a much bigger business.

Responsibilities:

• Own the integrity, accuracy and delivery of monthly financial reporting and management accounts.
• Take complete ownership of the balance sheet, reconciliations and financial controls.
• Manage cash flow, working capital and funding facilities, identifying pressure points before they become problems.
• Strengthen controls across billing, payroll, cash collection, payments and cost management.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and performance reviews across the business.
• Partner operational leaders and budget holders to improve financial accountability and decision‑making.
• Provide the FD/CFO with commercial insight, challenge and visibility around performance and risk.
• Own statutory reporting, audit, tax, VAT and wider compliance requirements.
• Lead, develop and raise the standards of the finance team.
• Improve systems, processes and automation to create a more efficient and scalable finance function.

Experience:

• Qualified Accountant - ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• 2+ years’ experience operating in a similar Financial Controller-level role.
• Experience within a services, recruitment or people‑led business would be highly advantageous.
• Strong technical accounting foundations combined with a commercial mindset.
• Hands‑on experience across financial reporting, controls, cash flow, working capital, budgeting and forecasting.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑paced, high‑growth environment where processes and systems are continually evolving.
• Proven ability to lead and develop a finance team while raising standards and accountability.
• Confident partnering with senior leadership and providing challenge, insight and recommendations.

Salary & Benefits

• Discretionary bonus
• Company pension
• Private healthcare following successful completion of probation
• 25 days’ annual leave plus bank holidays

This is a brilliant opportunity for a Financial Controller who enjoys operating in a high‑growth environment and wants more than a traditional reporting role.

You’ll have the opportunity to build, improve and influence putting the financial foundations in place for the next phase of growth.