Financial Controller

HW Finance; Thurrock; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HW Finance in Grays (RM20 3XD) is seeking an experienced Finance Controller to own the finance function and partner with the General Manager to drive profitability across the group.

Reporting to the General Manager, you will oversee day-to-day finance operations, strengthen controls and provide meaningful commercial insight to help shape strategic decisions for a growing SME. This role suits a proactive professional seeking visibility across the business and tangible impact.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with SME finance experience.
• Previous Finance Controller/Finance Manager or FP&A background.
• Strong Excel and finance systems experience.
• Able to influence decisions and partner with senior teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day finance function with strong controls.
• Prepare management accounts and KPI reporting for groups.
• Manage cashflow, ledgers, payroll and banking.
• Provide commercial analysis and profitability reporting.
• Drive improvements to systems and processes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and audits.

Skills

Commercial awareness

Business partnering

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Tools

ERP systems

Financial reporting software

Job description

Grays RM20 3XD | Competitive Salary + Benefits

Are you looking for a role where you can genuinely influence the direction of a growing business rather than simply report the numbers?

An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Finance Controller to join a well-established, family-owned business that has recently become part of a larger, growing group. Following this period of investment and growth, the business is looking for a commercially minded finance professional to take ownership of the finance function and partner closely with the General Manager to drive performance.

This is a broad, hands-on position where you'll have the autonomy to improve processes, strengthen controls and provide meaningful commercial insight across the business.

The Opportunity

Reporting directly to the General Manager, you will oversee the day-to-day finance function while acting as a trusted business partner to operational and commercial teams. You'll play a key role in supporting strategic decision-making, improving profitability and helping shape the future direction of the business.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys working within an SME environment, wants visibility across the whole business and is keen to make a tangible impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance function, ensuring robust financial controls and accurate reporting.
• Prepare monthly management accounts, financial commentary and KPI reporting for group submission.
• Take ownership of cash flow, purchase ledger, sales ledger, payroll and banking activities.
• Partner with operational teams to provide commercial analysis, costing and profitability reporting.
• Drive improvements to finance systems, processes and controls.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and business planning.
• Lead the annual audit process and liaise with external stakeholders.
• Monitor project performance and provide financial insight to improve operational efficiency.
• Support senior management with strategic decision-making through meaningful financial analysis.

About You

You'll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with previous experience in a Finance Controller, Finance Manager or Finance Business Partner position.

You'll also bring:

• Excellent commercial awareness and business partnering skills.
• Experience managing the full finance function within an SME or operational environment.
• A proactive approach to improving systems and processes.
• The confidence to challenge, influence and communicate with stakeholders across the business.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using finance systems.

Experience within engineering, manufacturing, construction or a similar operational environment would be advantageous but is by no means essential.

What's on Offer?

This is an opportunity to join a stable, growing business where finance is seen as a key commercial partner rather than a back-office function. You'll have the autonomy to shape the role, improve the finance function and work closely with senior leadership as the business continues its growth journey.

If you're looking for a varied, commercially focused Finance Controller position where your ideas will be listened to and your impact will be visible, we'd love to hear from you.