Financial Controller

Palatine Talent; Rochdale; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday + bank holidays

Job summary

Palatine Talent is seeking a commercially minded Financial Controller for an ambitious, acquisitive business in Rochdale. You’ll be the on-site finance lead, partnering with the Board to provide meaningful insights while remaining hands-on with month-end, processes, and team development.

The role requires strong technical accounting knowledge, CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification, and the ability to influence senior stakeholders in a fast-moving environment.

Qualifications

• Strong technical accounting knowledge with commercial awareness.
• Experience presenting insights to senior stakeholders.
• Hands-on day-to-day accounting and month-end responsibilities.

Responsibilities

• Produce monthly management accounts and Board MI packs with insightful analysis.
• Lead the month-end process including journals, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
• Develop cash flow forecasting, budgeting and KPI reporting.
• Manage and develop a small finance team (2 people).
• Drive improvements to financial systems, controls and processes.
• Act as finance lead for audits and liaise with the Board on commercial decisions.
• Support future acquisitions and integration of new businesses.

Skills

Financial analysis

Commercial awareness

Stakeholder influence

Month-end close

Team leadership

Process improvement

Education

CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualification

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

This isn't a role for someone who simply wants to produce a set of Management Accounts each month.

This is an opportunity to join a successful, ambitious business entering an exciting phase of growth through acquisition. The foundations are in place, but they're looking for a commercially minded Financial Controller who wants to help shape what comes next.

You'll be the number one finance lead on site, partnering closely with the Board to provide meaningful insight that influences decision-making while remaining hands-on in the day-to-day running of the finance function. This is a role where you'll need to be just as comfortable presenting commercial analysis to senior stakeholders as you are rolling your sleeves up to deliver month-end, improve processes and support your team.

If you're someone who enjoys building, improving and creating rather than simply maintaining, this is a genuine opportunity to grow alongside the business.

Responsibilities include:

• Producing accurate monthly management accounts and Board MI packs with insightful analysis.
• Leading the month-end process, including journals, accruals, prepayments and reconciliations.
• Developing cash flow forecasting, budgeting and KPI reporting.
• Managing and developing a small finance team of two.
• Driving improvements to financial systems, controls and processes.
• Acting as the finance lead for audits.
• Partnering with operational leaders and the Board to support commercial decision-making.
• Supporting future acquisitions and helping integrate new businesses into the wider group.

We're looking for someone who:

• Is an experienced CIMA/ACCA/ACA Financial Controller or ambitious Finance Manager ready for the next step.
• Combines strong technical accounting knowledge with commercial awareness.
• Enjoys working in a fast-moving, evolving business.
• Is confident influencing senior stakeholders and challenging where appropriate.
• Wants to improve systems, streamline processes and drive change.
• Is happy to be hands-on today while helping build the finance function for tomorrow.
• Thrives in an entrepreneurial environment where no two days are the same.

My client offers a competitive salary, 25 days holiday plus bank holidays and a genuine opportunity to grow with an acquisitive, ambitious business. You will gain significant exposure to the Board and senior leadership team.

If you're looking for a role where you can genuinely influence the direction of a growing business, and not just report on it, we'd love to hear from you.