Financial Controller

ICAEW; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

ICAEW is seeking a financially astute and commercially minded Financial Controller to join our Southampton-based leadership team. You will co-ordinate financial reporting, forecasting and cash flow management, while strengthening controls and developing the finance function to support growth.

You will lead a small team, collaborate with senior stakeholders, and drive process improvements as the business implements new finance systems and policies to enable strategic decision making.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA credentials.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and commercial acumen.
• Experience leading audits, statutory accounts, budgeting and cash flow planning.
• Natural leader who develops people and drives process improvement.

Responsibilities

• Own financial reporting, forecasting and cash flow management.
• Manage financial controls and governance across the organisation.
• Lead and develop a small finance team and drive accountability.
• Strengthen processes, reporting capabilities and finance policies.
• Support system implementations and finance system enhancements.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Commercial awareness

Leadership

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

The opportunity

Hays are partnering with a growing and ambitious, PE-backed business in Southampton to recruit a Financial Controller role. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant looking to step into a highly visible position where they can directly influence business performance, support strategic decision-making and play a key role in the continued development of the finance function.

Working closely with senior leadership, operational teams and project stakeholders, you will provide commercial insight across the organisation while taking ownership of financial reporting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial control. More than a traditional reporting role, this position offers the chance to become a trusted business partner and help drive operational and financial improvements across the company.

A key focus of the role will be strengthening financial processes, improving reporting capabilities and supporting several exciting business improvement initiatives, including the selection and implementation of new finance systems and the development of finance policies and procedures. You will also lead and develop a small finance team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement while ensuring the business has the financial information and controls required to support future growth.

What you’ll need to succeed

• You will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with previous experience in a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or similar senior finance role.
• You’ll combine strong technical accounting expertise with commercial awareness and the confidence to engage with stakeholders across all levels of the business.
• Experience managing audits, statutory accounts, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow planning will be essential, alongside a proactive approach to problem-solving and process improvement.
• Just as importantly, you’ll be a natural leader who enjoys developing people, building relationships and using financial insight to influence business decisions.

What you’ll get in return

• Opportunity to join a growing business in a key leadership role
• Broad remit with genuine strategic input
• Exposure to senior stakeholders and board-level reporting
• Chance to shape systems, processes and the future direction of the finance function
• Supportive and collaborative working environment

Interested?

If you’re a commercially‑minded qualified accountant looking for a role where you can make a visible impact and help shape the future of a growing organisation, we’d love to hear from you.