Interim Financial Controller

JSS Search Limited; England; On-site; GBP 74,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

JSS Search Limited is seeking an Interim Financial Controller for a Leicestershire-based SME manufacturing business. The role sits alongside a Fractional CFO and focuses on transforming finance processes, controls and reporting, taking ownership of day-to-day finance activities during a period of growth.

The position offers a clear path to permanent appointment for the right candidate, with a hands-on, autonomous approach and emphasis on process improvements, automation and scalable

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification.
• Experience as Financial Controller or Head of Finance.
• Strong SME experience in growing owner-managed business.
• Proven improvement of processes, controls and reporting frameworks.
• Experience implementing automation and driving finance transformation initiatives.
• Hands-on with both strategic and operational finance activities.
• Strong month-end and statutory accounting expertise.
• Autonomous and able to bring structure to a developing finance environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day finance function and act as senior finance contact.
• Manage and develop a small finance team (Accounts Assistant).
• Oversee month-end reporting and production of management accounts.
• Prepare statutory accounts and enhance financial reporting processes.
• Review and improve financial controls and procedures.
• Drive automation and process improvements across the finance function.
• Improve the accuracy, efficiency and scalability of transactional processes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management.
• Ensure readiness for future audits.
• Partner with operational stakeholders to provide financial insight for decision-making.

Skills

Month-end accounting

Management accounts

Budgeting

Forecasting

Cashflow management

Financial controls

Automation

Xero

SME experience

Financial reporting

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Xero

Job description

Interim Financial Controller

Leicestershire £400-450 per day (circa)

The Opportunity

An established and growing SME manufacturing business is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller to support the finance function through a period of transformation and growth. The business has scaled rapidly and is now looking to strengthen its financial processes, controls and reporting capability. Working alongside an experienced Fractional CFO, you will take ownership of the day-to-day finance function while helping to professionalise and modernise the finance operation.

There is potential for this role to develop into a permanent appointment for the right individual.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the day-to-day finance function and serve as the senior finance contact within the business.
• Manage and develop a small finance team, including an Accounts Assistant.
• Oversee month-end reporting and production of management accounts.
• Prepare statutory accounts and improve financial reporting processes.
• Review and enhance existing financial controls and procedures.
• Drive automation and process improvement initiatives across the finance function.
• Improve the accuracy, efficiency and scalability of transactional finance processes.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and cashflow management.
• Ensure the business is operating at a standard that would support future audit requirements.
• Partner with operational stakeholders to provide financial insight and support decision-making.

Candidate Profile

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Head of Finance or similar senior finance role.
• Strong SME experience, ideally within a growing owner-managed or entrepreneurial business.
• Proven track record of improving processes, controls and reporting frameworks.
• Experience implementing automation and driving finance transformation initiatives.
• Hands-on approach and willingness to operate across both strategic and operational finance activities.
• Strong month-end, management accounting and statutory accounting expertise.
• Ability to work autonomously and bring structure to a developing finance environment.

Desirable Experience

• Manufacturing, production, engineering, FMCG or related operational environments.
• Experience working with Xero or similar SME finance systems.
• Interim, project or transformation-led assignments.
• Track record of preparing businesses for audit readiness and enhanced financial governance.

The Individual

• Enjoys improving and building finance functions.
• Is comfortable operating in a lean team environment.
• Can quickly assess issues and implement practical solutions.
• Balances strong technical accounting knowledge with commercial awareness.
• Enjoys rolling up their sleeves and making tangible improvements.