Group Financial Controller - Private Equity

JSS; England; Hybrid; GBP 106,000 - 144,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Bonus

Job summary

JSS is recruiting a Group Financial Controller for a sub-£250m turnover, multi-site business based in Hertfordshire. You will report to the CFO, own the group finance function and drive governance, reporting and operations during a strategic phase.

The role combines high-level oversight with hands-on leadership, within a hybrid structure requiring one day per week at the Hertfordshire headquarters. PE backing underpins the growth agenda.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Experience in PE-backed environments and investor reporting is highly valued.
• Proven track record in multi-site businesses and scaling finance operations.

Responsibilities

• Institutionalise robust financial discipline across the group.
• Lead multi-site reporting and consolidate for CFO, Board and PE investors.
• Accelerate month-end close and ensure accurate consolidated packs.
• Strengthen working capital controls and forecasting across sites.
• Support exit readiness including data rooms and due diligence.
• Oversee statutory accounting, tax compliance, governance and year-end audits.

Skills

Private Equity exposure

Multi-site experience

Corporate scale experience

People management

Process improvement

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified

Job description

Salary: £125,000 + Car Allowance + Bonus

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer (CFO)

Company Size: Sub-£250m turnover, multi-site operation

Ownership: Private Equity Backed

About the Role

We are recruiting a Group Financial Controller for a well-established, sub-£250m turnover multi-site business based in Hertfordshire. Operating as a key member of the senior finance leadership team (C-suite -1), you will report directly to the CFO, taking full ownership of the group finance function during an important phase of evolution.

The business is backed by a prominent Private Equity firm and is executing a clear strategic roadmap towards an exit within the next few years. This position requires a balanced approach, combining high-level governance and reporting oversight with hands-on operational leadership. The role offers a hybrid working structure, requiring one day per week at the Hertfordshire headquarters.

Key Responsibilities

As Group Financial Controller, your primary objective will be to institutionalise robust financial discipline, optimise multi-site reporting, and ensure the finance function is fully prepared for a future corporate transaction.

• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop a mid-sized finance team, ensuring clear objectives, professional development, and accountability.
• Controls & Efficiency: Conduct a comprehensive review of existing financial controls, processes, and systems across all sites to drive efficiency and scalability.
• Financial Reporting: Accelerate month-end closing cycles and deliver accurate consolidated financial reporting packs for the CFO, Board, and PE investors.
• Working Capital Management: Implement strict working capital controls and cash flow forecasting models across the multi-site network.
• Exit Preparation: Support the CFO with exit readiness, including the preparation of data rooms, due diligence documentation, and the standardisation of key performance metrics.
• Statutory & Compliance: Oversee all statutory accounting, tax compliance, corporate governance, and the year-end audit process.

Required Experience & Qualifications

• Professional Qualification: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified with substantial post-qualification experience.
• Private Equity Exposure: Prior experience within a PE-backed environment is strongly preferred, alongside a strong understanding of investor reporting requirements and capital structures.
• Multi-Site Experience: A proven track record within a multi-site business model (e.g., healthcare, retail, logistics, hospitality, or multi-site services).
• Corporate Scale: Experience operating within companies of a similar scale (sub-£250m turnover), with a clear understanding of how to build infrastructure for growth.
• People Management: Proven ability to manage and develop a mid-sized finance function effectively.
• Process Improvement: Strong technical capability in streamlining finance processes, improving systems, and leveraging technology to eliminate manual tasks.