Interim Assistant Financial Controller

Robert Walters UK; Coventry; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in Coventry is seeking an Interim Assistant Financial Controller to oversee financial operations and support finance teams. The role emphasizes month-end closures, budget management, and compliance with robust financial oversight. Candidates should be fully qualified ACCA, CIMA, or ACA professionals, with strong Excel skills and prior experience in financial accounting. This opportunity offers a competitive salary and a chance to significantly impact business operations within a dynamic manufacturing environment.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Broad range of employee benefits

Qualifications

• Experience in financial accounting with a focus on accuracy is essential.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis.
• Managing budgets within the manufacturing sector is highly valued.

Responsibilities

• Prepare monthly management accounts and ensure compliance.
• Manage complex budgets and provide detailed financial reports.
• Participate in month-end closures and support internal controls.

Skills

Attention to Detail

Data Analysis

Communication

Collaboration

Financial Oversight

Education

ACA, CIMA or ACCA certification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

HFM/Hyperion

TM1 Cognos

Job description

We are recruiting for an Interim Assistant Financial Controller to join a manufacturing business in Coventry. This role offers you the chance to take ownership of financial operations, supporting the wider finance teams. You will play a pivotal part in month-end closures, forecasting, and compliance, ensuring that all financial processes run smoothly and efficiently.

What you'll do:

Your day-to-day activities will involve preparing management accounts, submitting detailed reports via advanced corporate systems, managing complex engineering budgets, and producing insightful programme status updates. You will work hand-in-hand with directors and senior managers to provide clear feedback on financial performance while ensuring compliance with internal controls. Your ability to reconcile balance sheets accurately, manage free cash flow effectively, and support quarterly attestations will be crucial in maintaining the organisation's reputation for excellence. By engaging collaboratively with both local teams and foreign counterparts, you will help drive continuous improvement in financial processes while supporting wider business objectives.

• Prepare monthly management accounts for the business unit, ensuring accuracy and adherence to strict deadlines.
• Submit local accounts through corporate systems, providing detailed divisional and corporate reporting in line with company requirements.
• Manage budgets by reporting monthly results, preparing forecasts and budgets, and working closely with the Financial Controller to review financial data.
• Produce comprehensive reports that incorporate historical analysis and forecast data to assess overall project profitability.
• Control free cash flow by monitoring monthly risk and opportunities while ensuring robust financial oversight across all activities.
• Perform monthly balance sheet account reconciliations with meticulous attention to detail to maintain financial integrity.
• Complete quarterly attest duties by preparing corporate schedules for submission to divisional finance within agreed timelines.
• Work within both local and corporate systems to complete general ledger entries while collaborating with key stakeholders to achieve targets and meet forecast commitments.
• Undertake other ad-hoc duties as required by the finance leadership team, contributing positively to departmental objectives.

What you bring:

You will bring proven experience from a busy financial accounting environment where your attention to detail sets you apart. Your strong technical skills-especially in Microsoft Excel-will enable you to analyse complex data sets efficiently. Holding a recognised professional qualification such as CIMA or ACCA demonstrates your commitment to best practice standards. Your interpersonal abilities allow you to communicate effectively at all levels of the organisation, fostering collaboration between finance teams, engineers, programme managers, and senior leaders alike. Experience managing budgets within technical or manufacturing sectors will help you understand the unique challenges faced by this business unit. Familiarity with advanced reporting tools like HFM/Hyperion-and ideally TM1 Cognos-means you can hit the ground running when it comes to corporate submissions. Above all else, your reliability, trustworthiness, and willingness to support others' growth ensure that you contribute positively both individually and as part of a wider team.

• Experience of working in a financial accounting environment where accuracy and reliability are paramount is essential for success in this role.
• Excellent IT skills are required, particularly advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting purposes.
• A fully qualified ACA, CIMA or ACCA certification is mandatory for this interim position.
• Proven ability to communicate clearly and concisely with senior management as well as cross-functional teams is vital.
• Demonstrated experience managing budgets within an engineering or manufacturing context will be highly valued.
• Familiarity with HFM/Hyperion systems is preferred due to the nature of corporate reporting responsibilities involved.
• Manufacturing, Automotive, and/or Aerospace industry experience would be advantageous but not essential; however, adaptability within fast-moving environments is important.
• Knowledge of TM1 Cognos would be beneficial for handling specific reporting tasks within the finance function.
• A professional approach combined with commitment to meeting deadlines ensures you can deliver under pressure without compromising quality.
• The ability to work independently using your own initiative while also being an enthusiastic team player who supports colleagues' development is key.

Robert Walters Operations Limited is an employment business and employment agency and welcomes applications from all candidates

• Competitive salary and a broad range of employee benefits
• Competitive salary and a broad range of employee benefits