Financial Controller

Howett Thorpe; Sutton Green; Hybrid; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days' holiday plus bank holidays +

Private medical insurance

Company bonus scheme

Pension scheme

Hybrid working with 3 days in the офис

Car parking

Full-time position 09:00–17:30

Work-life balance

Job summary

Howett Thorpe is seeking a Financial Controller to bring the finance function in-house and drive day‑to‑day financial operations. You will support the CEO, combining hands-on accounting with process improvement and robust reporting to give Directors clear visibility of business performance.

The role operates in a growing SME environment with autonomy, variety, and the opportunity to shape the finance function as the business expands. Hybrid working is available with 3 days in the office.

Qualifications

• Proven hands-on experience as Finance Manager, Financial Controller or Senior Bookkeeper within a UK SME.
• Strong working knowledge of Xero: ledgers, reconciliations, invoicing, reporting and VAT.
• Experience preparing management accounts and cash flow forecasts with balance-sheet understanding.
• Practical experience of UK payroll software, PAYE, National Insurance and pension auto-enrolment.
• Demonstrable credit control experience and solid Excel skills.
• Ability to communicate confidently with Directors, customers and suppliers.
• Organised and proactive, able to work independently and meet deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of Xero ledgers, reconciliations and balance sheet records.
• Prepare monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting.
• Support annual budgets and forecasts; highlight financial risks and cash requirements.
• Manage project invoicing, purchase orders and milestones.
• Oversee credit control and improve collections with Directors.
• Process supplier invoices, weekly payment runs, staff expenses and card transactions.
• Manage monthly payroll, PAYE, RTI submissions and pension contributions.
• Prepare quarterly VAT returns under Making Tax Digital.
• Prepare year-end schedules and assist external accountants with statutory accounts and CT.
• Establish clear financial controls and documented procedures for holidays and absence.

Skills

Xero expertise

Cash flow forecasting

Management accounts

UK payroll

Credit control

Excel

Stakeholder comms

Independent work

Tools

Xero

Payroll software

Job description

A thriving SME is seeking a Financial Controller to bring its finance function in-house and take ownership of day-to-day financial operations. As such this is a newly created role that will enable someone to create autonomy within this role. Supporting the CEO, you will combine hands‑on accounting with the opportunity to shape processes, strengthen reporting and give the Directors clear visibility of business performance. This would suit an experienced SME finance professional who enjoys variety, autonomy and seeing the impact of their work.

Location: Caterham

Financial Controller – Benefits

• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays, with the option to purchase a further 5 days
• Private medical insurance
• Company bonus scheme
• Pension scheme
• Hybrid working with 3 days in the office.
• Car parking
• Full-time position, 09:00 am - 17:30
• A working environment that values work-life balance

Financial Controller – About The Role

With bookkeeping previously outsourced, this appointment offers the opportunity to establish an effective in‑house finance function within a growing SME business.

Working closely with the Directors and external accountants, you will manage the detail behind the numbers while providing timely reporting and practical financial insight. Your remit will span transactional finance, management accounts, payroll and compliance, alongside developing the controls and procedures needed to support the business as it grows. Your responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of Xero, maintaining accurate ledgers, reconciliations and balance sheet records
• Preparing monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow reporting
• Supporting annual budgets and forecasts, highlighting financial risks and cash requirements
• Managing project invoicing in line with agreed terms, purchase orders and milestones
• Overseeing credit control, resolving queries and working with the Directors to improve collections
• Processing supplier invoices, weekly payment runs, staff expenses and company card transactions
• Managing monthly payroll, including PAYE, RTI submissions, payrolled benefits and pension contributions
• Preparing and submitting quarterly VAT returns under Making Tax Digital
• Preparing year-end schedules and supporting external accountants with statutory accounts and corporation tax requirements
• Establishing clear financial controls and documented procedures to ensure continuity during holidays and absence

The successful Financial Controller will have:

• Proven hands‑on experience as a Finance Manager, Financial Controller or Senior Bookkeeper or similar within a UK SME
• Strong working knowledge of Xero, covering ledgers, reconciliations, invoicing, reporting and VAT
• Experience preparing management accounts and cash flow forecasts, supported by a sound understanding of the balance sheet
• Practical experience of UK payroll software, PAYE, National Insurance and pension auto‑enrolment
• Demonstrable credit control experience and confident Excel skills
• The confidence to communicate with Directors, customers and suppliers
• An organised, proactive approach, with the ability to work independently and manage competing deadlines