Group Finance Controller - Multi-Company

Marine Data Systems; Newport; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Four‑day work week

Pension (NEST)

On-site parking

Professional development

Job summary

Marine Data Systems is seeking an experienced Group Financial Controller to manage the finance function across the four entities. You will oversee day-to-day accounting, cash management and reporting to the directors, with scope for HR duties based on hours.

The role is based at Newport, Isle of Wight, with flexible hours (full-time or part-time) and some remote work. Proficiency in Sage 50/200 and MS Office is essential, as is strong budgeting and analysis capability.

Qualifications

• Proven ability to manage a finance function independently, including management accounts, reconciliations, budgeting, cash-flow forecasting, VAT and year-end preparation.
• Full working proficiency in both Sage 50 and Sage 200.
• Strong Microsoft Office skills, including Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and confidence with associated applications. Effective Excel skills for financial analysis and reporting are essential.
• Accuracy, discretion and sound judgement, with the ability to organise competing priorities and meet deadlines.
• The ability to explain financial information clearly and work constructively with directors, colleagues and external advisers.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day accounting, ledgers and financial processes across all four companies, maintaining accurate records and effective financial controls.
• Prepare timely management accounts, balance sheet reconciliations and financial reports for each company, together with group summaries and commentary for the directors.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts, cash-flow projections and financial analysis to support planning, performance review and commercial decisions.
• Liaise with Sales and Purchasing to ensure product costs, selling prices and customer discounts are accurate and reviewed to maintain appropriate profit margins.
• Manage banking, cash resources and working capital, with appropriate payment authorisation and controls.
• Maintain and reconcile intercompany balances, shared cost allocations, property rental income and related accounts.
• Manage the purchase ledger, reconcile supplier statements and arrange authorised payments within agreed terms, liaising with Operations and Purchasing to resolve invoice queries.
• Monitor customer accounts, manage credit control and provide aged-debtor and debtor-day reports.
• Maintain VAT records, prepare VAT returns and liaise with external accountants and advisers on tax and reporting requirements.
• Collate and check monthly payroll information, including attendance, overtime and pay changes, and submit it to the external payroll bureau. Review the bureau's payroll output and arrange staff payments based on the approved figures.
• Prepare year-end accounts and supporting schedules, and provide information to the group's accountants and auditors.
• Coordinate R&D tax relief claim information, preparing project cost schedules and supporting evidence with engineering colleagues for the accountants, auditors and tax advisers.
• Improve financial processes and reporting, and provide analysis for business opportunities and other relevant financial matters.

Skills

Finance leadership

Budgeting & forecasting

VAT & year-end

Financial reporting

Excel advanced

Intercompany accounting

Education

Recognised accounting qualification

Tools

Sage 50

Sage 200

Microsoft Office

Job description

Marine Data Systems is seeking an experienced Group Financial Controller to manage the finance function across the four entities. You will oversee day-to-day accounting, cash management and reporting to the directors, with scope for HR duties based on hours.

The role is based at Newport, Isle of Wight, with flexible hours (full-time or part-time) and some remote work. Proficiency in Sage 50/200 and MS Office is essential, as is strong budgeting and analysis capability.