Interim Financial Controller

Morgan McKinley; England; On-site; GBP 72,000 - 88,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Discretionary bonus up to 15%

Pension contribution

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Job summary

An interim/contract Financial Controller is sought by a privately owned SME in Bedfordshire. The role leads a finance team of four, partners with the SLT, and drives commercial and operational performance across the business. It is offered on a 6-month contract, with pay up to £80,000 per annum or £450 per day Inside IR35.

The role covers financial control, costing, business partnering, cash flow, planning, and system controls, with a focus on margin expansion and strategic financial modelling.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Experience in manufacturing/ FMCG sectors preferred.
• Proven track record as a finance leader in SME environment.
• Deep knowledge of standard costing, BOM, stock valuation, and FRS reporting.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts, variance analysis, board packs, statutory reporting, and year-end audit liaison.
• Oversee standard costing, product profitability, gross margin analysis, COGS, BOM, inventory control, and WIP accounting.
• Partner with operations, Project Management, and Plant Managers to optimise efficiencies and drive margin expansion.
• Manage working capital strategies, 13-week cash flow forecasts, and banking relationships.
• Drive annual budgeting, rolling reforecasts, and financial modelling to support SME growth.
• Lead and develop a small finance team of 4 people.
• Continuously evaluate internal controls, ERP capability, and automated reporting workflows.

Skills

Fully qualified accountant

Commercial finance partnering

Leadership/mentoring

Stakeholder management

Analytical mindset

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Standard costing

BOM

Stock valuation

FRS reporting standards

Job description

Are you looking for your next Interim/Contract Finance opportunity?

Are you a commercially focused Financial Controller with a proven background in manufacturing or FMCG?

A successful, privately owned mid-market SME in Bedfordshire is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to take ownership of a finance team of 4, partner closely with the SLT, and drive commercial and operational performance across the business.

This role will be offered on a contract basis for a period of 6 months on either a fixed term contract or day rate. Pay rates available are up to £80,000 per annum FTC or £450 per day Inside IR35.

This is a pivotal leadership role combining technical and commercial finance experience within a nationwide manufacturing organisation.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Control & Reporting: Lead the preparation of accurate monthly management accounts, variance analysis, board packs, statutory reporting, and year-end audit liaison.
• Costing & Operational Accounting: Oversee standard costing, product profitability, gross margin analysis, COGS, BOM, inventory control, and work-in-progress (WIP) accounting.
• Business Partnering: Collaborate directly with operations, Project Management, and Plant Managers to optimise efficiencies, monitor CapEx projects, and drive margin expansion.
• Cash Flow & Treasury: Manage robust working capital strategies, rolling 13-week cash flow forecasts, and banking relationships.
• Planning & Strategy: Drive the annual budgeting process, rolling re-forecasts, and financial modelling to support mid-to-long-term SME growth strategies.
• Team Leadership: Manage, mentor, and develop a small finance team of 4, fostering a high-performance culture across transactional and reporting functions.
• Systems & Internal Controls: Continuously evaluate internal controls, ERP capability, and automated reporting workflows to enhance decision-making.

Candidate Requirements

• Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Industry Background: Experience working within a manufacturing, engineering, or FMCG would be advantageous
• SME Agility: Proven track record inside a mid-market, privately owned business with proven experience of partnering SLT.
• Technical Expertise: Deep knowledge of standard costing, bill of materials (BOM), stock valuation, and supply chain finance metrics. Exposure to FRS reporting standards is essential.
• Communication & Influence: Excellent interpersonal skills with the confidence to challenge and influence non-finance operational leaders.

What’s on Offer

• Base salary up to £80,000 per annum or £375-£450 on a day rate
• Discretionary bonus scheme up to 15%
• Pension contribution
• Private medical insurance and life assurance