Financial Controller- Head of Finance

ADSM PLC; Windsor; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing finance firm in the UK is seeking a Financial Controller who will oversee the finance function during a phase of rapid business growth. This role requires a finance leader adept at stabilizing processes while driving transformation, improving financial visibility, and enhancing team capability. Ideal candidates will have over 10 years of experience in senior finance roles, hands-on experience with automated reporting tools, and strong leadership skills. The position offers opportunities to lead significant improvements in financial governance and operational support.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior finance role.
• Proven track record of transforming finance functions.
• Experience with long-term contract accounting and cost allocation.

Responsibilities

• Lead financial operations including P&L and cashflow.
• Implement tighter cost control and budgeting.
• Develop modern reporting dashboards for real-time visibility.

Skills

Financial transformation

Commercial operations

Data analytics

Credit control

People management

Education

Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

Tools

Power BI

SQL-based reporting

ERP/finance platforms

Job description

The Financial Controller will take ownership of the Finance function during a period of rapid business growth and operational scaling. The role requires a commercially sharp, hands‑on finance leader who can stabilise current processes, build robust financial controls, and introduce the systems, reporting and structure needed for a larger organisation. This position is suited to someone who has successfully taken a fast‑growing or complex business through transformation, improving financial visibility, cash discipline and team capability.

Key Responsibilities

• Stabilisation & Transformation
  • Assess the current Finance function and implement rapid improvements in structure, controls and processes.
  • Introduce scalable systems, automation and reporting suitable for a growing organisation.
  • Strengthen governance, compliance, risk management and audit readiness.
  • Identify gaps and deliver a clear improvement roadmap within the first 90‑180 days.
• Financial Leadership & Control
  • Lead all financial operations including P&L, balance sheet, cashflow, forecasting and month‑end close.
  • Implement tighter cost control, budgeting and variance analysis.
  • Ensure accurate, timely management information to support fast decision‑making.
  • Build robust financial policies, procedures and approval frameworks.
• Commercial & Operational Support
  • Partner closely with Sales, Commercial and Operations to support bids, pricing, contract structures and margin protection.
  • Provide financial insight on long‑term and complex projects.
  • Develop commercial and financial models for new revenue streams, growth plans and scenario planning.
  • Support evaluation of major investments, systems and staffing requirements.
• Data, Reporting & Systems Development
  • Lead the development of modern reporting dashboards and real‑time visibility tools.
  • Use AI‑enabled and digital finance tools to improve forecasting and efficiency.
  • Integrate data across multiple platforms (billing, CRM, operations, projects).
  • Drive simplification and automation across financial workflows.
• Cash & Credit Management
  • Strengthen credit control and debt recovery processes to support working capital.
  • Improve cashflow forecasting and risk management.
  • Align billing cycles with operational delivery and contract terms.
• People & Capability
  • Lead, mentor and develop the finance team to create a high‑performance culture.
  • Support recruitment to build the right structure for future growth.
  • Embed accountability, transparency and cross‑department collaboration.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in a senior finance role (Financial Controller / Head of Finance).
• Proven track record of transforming or scaling a finance function in a growing or complex business.
• Strong commercial operations background supporting sales and delivery teams.
• Experience with long‑term contract accounting, cost allocation and project‑based finance.
• Advanced data and analytical capability, including system and reporting development.
• Experience using AI‑enabled finance tools and automated reporting platforms.
• Demonstrable success improving credit control and working capital.
• Strong leadership and people‑management skills with ability to reset expectations.
• Comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
• Experience in the electricity, gas or water sector would be highly beneficial, especially in regulated or contract‑driven environments.
• Systems knowledge: SQL‑based reporting, Power BI, ERP/finance platforms.
• Experience supporting organisational change, restructuring or rapid scale‑up.
• Change‑driven, decisive and resilient.
• Calm under pressure with ability to bring order to complexity.
• Commercially sharp with strong financial discipline.
• Transparent communicator who can influence at all levels.
• Hands‑on, pragmatic and solutions‑focused.