Group Financial Controller

Accountancy Recruit; Essex; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Accountancy Recruit is partnering with a UK-wide business to recruit a commercially focused Group Financial Controller. This hands-on role sits on the senior leadership team and drives performance through financial insight and strong governance.

You will partner across departments, lead a small finance team and shape strategic direction with meaningful commercial recommendations based on robust data analysis.

Qualifications

• Qualified with ACA, ACCA or CIMA or equivalent.
• Experience in a senior finance leadership role.
• Strong budgeting, forecasting and analysis skills.
• Excellent commercial awareness with data-driven recommendations.

Responsibilities

• Provide financial leadership across the Group with robust controls.
• Develop long-term financial plans, budgets and forecasts.
• Oversee monthly management accounts and timely reporting.
• Manage cash flow, taxation, compliance and governance.
• Deliver financial insights to support strategic decisions.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability and reduce costs.
• Support pricing, tender reviews and contract negotiations.
• Build relationships across multiple locations to understand operations.
• Enhance systems, reporting and processes for performance.
• Lead and develop the finance team to meet stakeholder needs.
• Establish effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Budgeting

Forecasting

Financial analysis

Business partnering

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Strategic thinking

Education

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified

Job description

Accountancy Recruit is partnering with an established and successful UK wide business to recruit a commercially focused Group Financial Controller to join the senior leadership team. This is a hands on, commercially driven role offering the opportunity to gain a comprehensive understanding of the business, build strong relationships across departments and drive meaningful change.

This role would suit a Finance Manager or FC who will work closely with the senior management team using financial and operational data to improve performance, support sustainable growth, inform key commercial decisions and help shape the future direction of the business which comprises several entities.

The successful candidate will combine strong technical financial expertise with commercial acumen, operational curiosity and the ability to translate financial information into practical recommendations that deliver measurable results.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide financial leadership across the Group, ensuring accurate reporting, robust financial controls and informed business decision-making.
• Develop and maintain long-term financial plans, budgets and forecasts aligned with the organisation's strategic objectives.
• Oversee the preparation and continuous improvement of monthly management accounts, ensuring timely and meaningful financial information.
• Manage cash flow, taxation, regulatory compliance and financial governance across the business.
• Deliver financial insight, analysis and constructive challenge to support strategic and operational decision-making.
• Identify opportunities to improve profitability, increase efficiencies and reduce operating costs.
• Support commercial decisions through detailed pricing analysis, tender reviews and contract negotiations.
• Build strong relationships across multiple business locations to develop an in-depth understanding of operations and identify opportunities for improvement.
• Enhance financial systems, reporting and processes to strengthen business performance and operational effectiveness.
• Lead, mentor and develop the finance team consisting of one part time clerk, 2 full time staff and a payroll specialist, ensuring it meets the evolving needs of the business and its stakeholders.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills, Experience & Attributes

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, or an equivalent professional qualification.
• Proven experience in a senior finance leadership role.
• Strong experience in budgeting, forecasting, financial analysis and business partnering.
• Excellent commercial awareness, with the ability to turn complex financial data into clear, practical business recommendations.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to challenge decisions and present compelling financial insights to senior leadership and external partners.
• A collaborative leadership style, balancing strategic objectives with operational priorities.
• The ability to operate effectively at both strategic and hands-on operational levels.
• A naturally curious mindset and a genuine interest in understanding business operations from the ground up.
• Confidence in presenting financial information and recommendations to senior leadership and external stakeholders.
• A proven track record of improving business performance, profitability and operational efficiency through financial insight and commercial challenge.

The salary advertised is a guideline and the salary offered will be commensurate with experience.