Financial Controller

Ascent Recruitment Ltd; Wilmslow; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 80,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Annual bonus 10%

Employer pension contribution 10%

Private healthcare

Hybrid working

25 days holiday

Job summary

Ascent Recruitment is a growing SME near Wilmslow seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to lead the day-to-day finance function and partner with the MD/FD to drive commercial insights for growth.

You will own month-end, budgeting, cash flow and reporting, with responsibility for process improvements and ERP enhancements across the group. Prior multi-site or distribution experience is beneficial but not essential.

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA or PQ with professional accounting status.
• Strong background in Financial Control and month-end processes.
• Experience in reporting, budgeting, and commercial finance helpful.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function and manage a small finance team.
• Produce monthly management accounts, commentary and KPI reporting.
• Own month-end, year-end, statutory reporting and audit processes.
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning.
• Manage cash flow, working capital and balance sheet controls.
• Oversee stock accounting, inventory controls and fixed assets.
• Partner with operational and commercial teams to improve performance.
• Analyse margins, product profitability and customer performance.
• Support pricing, investment decisions and strategic projects.
• Improve finance processes, controls, reporting and systems, including automation and ERP improvements.
• Support the financial integration of future acquisitions.

Skills

Financial control

Reporting

Process improvement

Education

ACA/ACCA or CIMA qualified

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Ascent Recruitment is pleased to be exclusively supporting a fantastic, entrepreneurial SME (part of a larger group) near Wilmslow in recruiting an ambitious, hands‑on Financial Controller.

The business is growing organically and through acquisition, creating a great opportunity for someone who enjoys improving finance functions rather than simply maintaining them.

Working closely with the Managing Director and Finance Director, you'll take ownership of the day‑to‑day finance function while providing the commercial insight needed to support continued growth.

This is a broad FC role combining financial control, business partnering, process improvement and commercial finance, with plenty of opportunity to make a genuine impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function and manage a small finance team
• Produce monthly management accounts, commentary and KPI reporting
• Own month‑end, year‑end, statutory reporting and audit processes
• Lead budgeting, forecasting and financial planning
• Manage cash flow, working capital and balance sheet controls
• Oversee stock accounting, inventory controls and fixed assets
• Partner with operational and commercial teams to improve business performance
• Analyse margins, product profitability and customer performance
• Support pricing, investment decisions and strategic projects
• Improve finance processes, controls, reporting and systems, including automation and ERP improvements
• Support the financial integration of future acquisitions

About You

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, or PQ
• An experienced Financial Controller or Senior Finance Manager ready to step into an FC role
• Comfortable working in a hands‑on, entrepreneurial SME environment
• Experience within distribution, wholesale or a multi‑site business would be beneficial, but isn't essential
• Strong financial control, reporting and process improvement experience
• Commercially minded, with the ability to work closely with non‑finance stakeholders
• Proactive, adaptable and comfortable operating both strategically and in the detail

Due to the timescales involved, we're particularly interested in candidates who are immediately available or able to start within four weeks.

Salary & Benefits

• £70,000–£80,000 package (including car allowance)
• 10% annual bonus
• Up to 10% employer pension contribution
• Private healthcare
• Hybrid and flexible working
• 25 days' holiday plus bank holidays

Why Join?

This is a genuine opportunity to make your mark within an ambitious, growing business. You'll have the autonomy of an SME, the backing of a larger group and the opportunity to influence how the finance function develops as the business continues to grow.