Financial Controller

ICAEW; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

ICAEW in Plymouth is supporting a growing manufacturing group to appoint a Finance Manager/Financial Controller. You will report to the CFO and become a trusted partner across the business, shaping strategic, commercial and operational finance in a fast‑growing, international environment.

The role covers management accounting, budgeting and forecasting, financial controls, and business partnering with operational teams.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA or equivalent, with post-qualified experience.
• Audit-practice background preferred for transition into industry.
• Strong accounting and reporting skills with stakeholder engagement.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and review monthly management accounts.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis.
• Enhance controls, compliance and process improvements.
• Partner with operations to provide commercial insight and support.
• Support overseas entities and international reporting.
• Drive ERP reporting enhancements and finance projects.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting

Budgeting forecasting

ERP experience

Education

Chartered accountant qualification

Tools

Excel advanced

ERP software

Financial modelling

Job description

Your new company

Our client is a growing and well-established manufacturing business with a strong international presence. Operating across multiple overseas locations, the company designs, manufactures and distributes specialist products to customers worldwide. Following continued growth and investment in systems, infrastructure and international operations, the business is seeking to strengthen its finance function with the appointment of a Finance Manager. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant looking to broaden their experience within industry and gain significant exposure to strategic, commercial and operational finance.

Your new role

As the Financial Controller, you will report directly to the CFO, and play a key role in supporting the finance function and wider business as it enters its next phase of growth. Working within a collaborative SME environment, this is a genuinely broad role offering exposure well beyond traditional financial reporting. You will be involved in management accounting, budgeting and forecasting, business partnering, process improvement and supporting the company's expanding international operations.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Preparation and review of monthly management accounts
• Budgeting, forecasting and financial analysis
• Supporting and enhancing financial controls and compliance processes
• Working closely with operational stakeholders to provide commercial insight and decision support
• Supporting overseas entities and international reporting requirements
• Driving continuous improvement initiatives across the finance function
• Building on a recent ERP implementation to enhance reporting capability and business information
• Acting as a trusted deputy to the CFO and supporting strategic projects across the wider business

This role offers a unique opportunity to gain exposure to all aspects of a growing international business while working closely with an experienced CFO.

What you'll need to succeed

You will be a fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with post-qualified experience, ideally gained within an accounting practice environment. This opportunity would be particularly well suited to an Audit Manager, Assistant Manager or practice-trained accountant seeking their first move into industry. You will have developed strong technical accounting, financial reporting and stakeholder management skills and be looking for an opportunity to broaden your commercial experience and develop within a high-growth environment.

You will be:

• ACA, ACCA or equivalent qualified
• Commercially curious and keen to understand how finance supports business performance
• Looking to broaden your experience beyond statutory reporting and audit
• Interested in budgeting, forecasting, business partnering and operational finance
• A proactive and ambitious individual who enjoys improving processes and driving efficiencies.
• Comfortable working within a growing SME environment where you can make a visible impact

Previous manufacturing experience is not essential. The business is seeking a high-calibre finance professional with strong technical foundations, excellent communication skills and the ambition to progress towards a future Financial Controller or Finance Director position.

What you'll get in return

In return, you will receive a competitive salary and benefits package alongside the opportunity to join a growing international business during an exciting period of expansion. Working closely with an experienced CFO, you will gain exposure to international operations, strategic decision-making and all aspects of a modern finance function. Unlike many larger organisations, this role offers genuine breadth, visibility and the opportunity to influence systems, processes and commercial decision-making. This is an outstanding opportunity for a practice-trained accountant looking to successfully transition into industry, accelerate their development and build a long-term career within a highly successful and growing business.