Financial Controller

Paul Bennett Recruitment Ltd; Wales; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A recruitment agency in the United Kingdom is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to manage financial operations and reporting. The ideal candidate will oversee budgeting, compliance, and internal controls while providing strategic insights to leadership. Qualifications include being a qualified accountant with strong skills in accounting and financial management. This role is crucial for ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of financial governance within the organization.

Qualifications

• Proven post qualification experience in financial management.
• Experience managing month-end, budgeting, and audit cycles.
• Familiarity with accounting/ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Oversee financial reporting and month-end control.
• Manage general ledger and accounting operations.
• Lead annual budgeting processes and support departmental budget holders.

Skills

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Strong technical accounting knowledge

Advanced Excel skills

Excellent organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Job description

My client is looking to recruit an experienced, detail driven, and hands on Financial Controller to oversee all aspects of financial management, including accounting, reporting, budgeting, compliance, and internal controls. This role is ideal for someone who is comfortable being fully involved in day-to-day finance operations while also providing strategic insight and commercial support to the leadership team.

This is a key role within the finance function, ensuring accuracy, efficiency, and robust financial governance reporting to the Group Operational Finance & IT Director.

Job specification

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Month-End Control

Own the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring timely and accurate reporting.

Prepare monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and KPI reporting.

Ensure balance sheet reconciliations are completed and reviewed.

Produce board level financial packs and support decision-making with clear insights.

• Accounting Operations

Manage and maintain the general ledger, fixed asset register, accruals, and prepayments.

Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit control, and bank reconciliations.

Process journals and review transactional accounting performed by the finance team or outsourced partners.

Ensure robust cash management processes and short-term cash flow forecasting.

• Budgeting, Forecasting & Planning

Lead annual budgeting processes and support departmental budget holders.

Prepare rolling forecasts, scenario planning, and sensitivity analysis.

Provide financial modelling to support strategic and operational decisions.

• Compliance, Controls & Audit

Ensure compliance with accounting standards (UK GAAP / IFRS as relevant).

Maintain strong internal controls and implement process improvements.

Manage external audit processes and liaise with auditors and tax advisors.

Ensure timely submission of statutory filings including VAT returns, PAYE, and Corporation Tax (including R&D Tax credits).

• Business Partnering & Commercial Support

Work closely with operational teams to understand performance and drive improvements.

Provide financial guidance on pricing, margins, cost control, and investment appraisals.

Support the leadership team with analysis, business cases, and strategic initiatives.

Enhance finance systems, tools, and reporting capabilities.

Identify opportunities to automate routine processes for efficiency and accuracy.

Champion best practices across finance and the wider business.

• Leadership & Team Development

Manage, mentor, and develop finance staff (where applicable) including hiring when applicable.

Build a high-performance culture focused on accuracy, accountability, and improvement.

Foster strong cross functional relationships across the organisation.

Candidate profile

Skills & Experience Required

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with proven post qualification experience.

Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience in UK statutory reporting.

Hands on approach with willingness to get involved in the detail.

Demonstrable experience managing month-end, budgeting, and audit cycles.

Advanced Excel skills and familiarity with accounting/ERP systems.

Ability to present financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders.

Experience in a fast paced, growth-oriented environment preferred.

Excellent organisational, analytical, and problem-solving skills.

Personal Attributes

Highly organised with exceptional attention to detail.

Proactive, commercially minded, and solutions focused.

Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at all levels.

Resilient, calm, and comfortable working to deadlines.

A self-starter who takes ownership and drives continuous improvement.