Financial Controller

AJ Group; Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fantastic benefits

Job summary

AJ Group in Manchester is seeking a commercially minded Financial Controller to ensure accurate financial reporting, robust controls and lead core accounting processes. Reporting to the CFO, you will drive performance insight across B2C and B2B channels.

You will own month-end, budgeting, forecasting and statutory reporting, manage working capital and cash flow, and ensure EU VAT compliance for international trading. Hybrid role: 3 days in the office, 2 days at home.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW) with FC or senior accounting experience.
• Experience in a smaller or growing finance team with broad ownership.
• Experience in e-commerce with international customers preferred.
• Strong knowledge of EU VAT regulations and sales tax compliance.
• Able to translate financial data into actionable insights for non-finance stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Own the month-end management accounts process.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and statutory reporting.
• Manage working capital and cash flow.
• Ensure EU VAT compliance and international trading requirements.
• Provide challenging financial insight to support profitable growth.

Skills

Financial analysis

Stakeholder management

Communication (non-finance)

Excel proficiency

Automation & data

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ICAEW

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

We're partnering with a fantastic, end-to-end retail and merchandising business in Manchester to assist in their search for a Financial Controller.

The role:

Reporting directly to the CFO, you’ll be responsible for ensuring the integrity of financial reporting, maintaining robust financial controls and leading core accounting processes.

You’ll provide meaningful financial insight and challenge, helping the organisation understand performance, identify opportunities and support profitable growth across both B2C and B2B channels.

• Based: Manchester
• Monday to Friday
• 37.5 hours PW
• Hybrid working (3 days office / 2 days home)
• Fantastic benefits

About you:

We’re seeking a commercially astute and proactive Financial Controller, you’ll need to have a strong background in online trading and stock control. Experience of navigating the financial complexities of e-commerce, including EU VAT compliance and cross-border transactions, will be critical to success in this position.

Alongside ownership of the month-end management accounts process, budgeting, forecasting and statutory reporting, you will play a key role in managing working capital, cash flow and financial compliance. You will bring expertise in EU VAT regulations and international trading requirements, ensuring the business remains compliant while supporting continued growth.

(Full summary of core responsibilities and Job description will be provided)

Skills, Qualifications & Experience:

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ICAEW) with previous experience in a Financial Controller or senior financial accounting role
• Experienced in a smaller or growing finance team, with the ability and willingness to take ownership across a broad range of finance activities
• Experience in an e-commerce business with an international customer base is highly advantageous
• Strong knowledge of EU VAT regulations and experience with sales tax compliance
• Commercially minded, with the ability to understand business drivers, challenge constructively and turn financial information into actionable insight
• Strong technical accounting, financial analysis and modelling skills, with the ability to communicate clearly with non-finance stakeholders
• Highly proficient in Excel and financial systems, with an interest in using technology, automation and data to improve efficiency and financial visibility
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the confidence to work effectively across all levels of the organisation