Group Financial Controller

Cedar; Ipswich; Hybrid; GBP 110,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Bonus

Benefits

Job summary

Cedar in Ipswich is seeking a Group Financial Controller to lead financial control, reporting and finance operations in a growing PE-backed consumer business. Reporting to the CFO, you'll shape the group finance environment to support the next growth phase.

You'll manage a circa 15-strong finance team, own month-end close, consolidated accounts, cash flow and KPI reporting, and drive process improvements, automation and ERP projects.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strong technical accounting, leadership and finance operations experience.
• ACA qualification with experience in fast-paced commercial environment.
• Experience leading a sizeable operational finance team.
• Exposure to B2C, eCommerce, technology, digital or leisure-related business.
• Experience in high-volume, low-margin, multi-currency environments.
• Experience implementing or significantly improving finance/ERP systems.
• An interest in using technology, automation and AI to improve finance effectiveness.
• The ability to identify what 'good' looks like and implement change while bringing existing teams and stakeholders on the journey.

Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the Group's financial control, reporting and finance operations environment.
• Lead, mentor and develop a finance team of approximately 15, creating a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Own the month-end close and preparation of consolidated management accounts, Board reporting, cash flow and KPI reporting.
• Drive a 'right first time' approach to financial reporting, improving accuracy, controls and reporting timelines.
• Develop and embed scalable finance processes and controls to support continued growth.
• Oversee consolidated financial statements, working papers and the annual audit process.
• Manage cash and treasury activities across a multi-currency environment, including intercompany funding, banking relationships and FX.
• Monitor banking covenants, financing obligations, working capital and cash forecasting. Play a leading role in finance transformation and future ERP/systems projects.
• Identify opportunities to utilise automation and AI to improve efficiency across finance.
• Support the Group's continued expansion through M&A, funding activity and post-acquisition integration.
• Ensure appropriate tax and regulatory compliance.

Skills

Leadership & coaching

Financial control & reporting

Cash flow & treasury management

Finance transformation & ERP projects

Automation & AI mindset

Stakeholder influence

Multi-currency / intercompany funding

Private Equity exposure

Education

ACA qualification

Impressive academic background

Post-qualified experience in fast-paced environment

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Group Financial Controller

Circa £115,000 + bonus + benefits

Ipswich / Hybrid

eCommerce Sector / Private Equity-Backed

We are partnering with an established, scaling, Private Equity-backed Consumer facing business to appoint a Group Financial Controller.

This international organisation has delivered significant year-on-year growth, supported by a highly scalable digital platform and an established customer base. With further organic growth, M&A and investment planned, this is a key leadership appointment within the Group finance function.

Reporting to the CFO, the Group Financial Controller will take ownership of financial control, reporting and finance operations, leading an experienced team and helping to build a best‑in‑class finance environment capable of supporting the next stage of growth.

The high profile role requires a hands‑on, operationally minded finance leader who understands what good looks like within a fast‑paced, high-volume business and combines strong technical capability with an action‑oriented approach.

Key Responsibilities Include

• Take ownership of the Group's financial control, reporting and finance operations environment.
• Lead, mentor and develop a finance team of approximately 15, creating a culture of high performance, accountability and continuous improvement.
• Own the month-end close and preparation of consolidated management accounts, Board reporting, cash flow and KPI reporting.
• Drive a "right first time" approach to financial reporting, improving accuracy, controls and reporting timelines.
• Develop and embed scalable finance processes and controls to support continued growth.
• Oversee consolidated financial statements, working papers and the annual audit process.
• Manage cash and treasury activities across a multi‑currency environment, including intercompany funding, banking relationships and FX.
• Monitor banking covenants, financing obligations, working capital and cash forecasting.Play a leading role in finance transformation and future ERP/systems projects.
• Identify opportunities to utilise automation and AI to improve efficiency across finance.
• Support the Group's continued expansion through M&A, funding activity and post‑acquisition integration.
• Ensure appropriate tax and regulatory compliance.

Required Candidate Profile

We are looking for a high‑calibre qualified accountant with a strong combination of technical accounting, leadership and finance operations experience.

Ideally, you will have:

• ACA qualification, having trained within a leading accountancy firm.
• Impressive academic background.
• Significant post-qualified experience gained within a fast‑paced, commercial environment.
• Experience leading, coaching and developing a sizeable operational finance team.
• Exposure to B2C, eCommerce, technology, digital or a leisure‑related business.
• Experience within a high‑volume, low‑margin and multi‑currency business model.
• Strong technical accounting, financial control and consolidated reporting experience.
• Experience implementing or significantly improving finance/ERP systems.
• An interest in using technology, automation and AI to improve finance effectiveness.
• The ability to identify what "good" looks like and implement change while bringing existing teams and stakeholders on the journey.
• Strong emotional intelligence, credibility and the ability to influence senior stakeholders.
• Previous exposure to a Private Equity‑backed or similarly high‑growth organisation would be advantageous.

This position represents an exciting opportunity to join an established, ambitious and growing PE‑backed organisation, working closely with an impressive CFO and senior leadership team.