Interim Financial Controller

Cedar; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 100,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Leeds base

Job summary

Cedar is seeking an Interim Financial Controller to own the end-to-end financial control and close process, diagnose and improve divisional finance processes, and support key finance transformation initiatives.

The role is based in Leeds with a dotted line to Group Finance, and will drive improvements across controls, systems and ways of working within a PE-backed, multi-divisional services group.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA or CIMA.
• Significant Financial Controller or Divisional Controller experience.
• Experience in finance process mapping and improvement.
• Experience supporting or delivering finance transformation.
• Strong knowledge of revenue recognition, WIP, accruals and provisions.

Responsibilities

• Map end-to-end divisional finance processes and identify bottlenecks.
• Diagnose root causes and implement improvements rather than symptoms.
• Lead delivery of improvement initiatives across process, controls and tech.
• Manage end-to-end divisional month-end close, including TB, journals and P&L sign-off.
• Review trial balance against prior month, budget and forecast.
• Provide commentary to the Divisional Finance Director on actuals and movements.
• Ensure compliance with group accounting policies and reporting standards.
• Collaborate with FP&A Centre of Excellence for forecasting and planning cycles.
• Document and embed new processes, systems and ways of working.

Skills

Financial controls

Month-end close

Process mapping

Finance transformation

Revenue recognition

WIP accounting

Provision accounting

Divisional finance

PE environment

Education

ACA

ACCA

CIMA

Job description

A PE-backed, multi-divisional services group is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller to take ownership of the end-to-end financial control and close process, diagnose and improve divisional finance processes, and support key finance transformation initiatives.

The position will provide the SLT with accurate, reliable and commentary-ready financial information, while driving improvements to processes, controls, systems and ways of working across the finance function.

The Company

A large, PE-backed services group operating through multiple divisions, entities and service lines. The business has a complex finance structure combining divisional teams with centralised reporting and FP&A capabilities.

The Role

Based in Leeds and reporting directly to the Divisional Finance Director, with a dotted reporting line to the Group Financial Controller, you will be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the divisional P&L and balance sheet, while leading the diagnosis and delivery of process improvements across the finance function.

Key responsibilities include:

• Mapping end-to-end divisional finance processes, identifying bottlenecks, duplication, manual workarounds, control gaps and recurring close issues
• Diagnosing root causes and implementing improvements rather than repeatedly managing symptoms
• Leading delivery of already-identified improvement initiatives, while identifying further opportunities across process, controls and technology
• Managing the end-to-end divisional month-end close, including the trial balance, journals, P&L review and balance sheet sign-off
• Reviewing the trial balance against prior month, budget and forecast
• Identifying required adjustments and providing clear instructions to the General Accounting team
• Directing Management Accountants on revenue, direct cost and materials accruals
• Managing judgement-based accounting across revenue, WIP, direct costs and provisions
• Reviewing and challenging revenue recognition, accruals, provisions and other accounting judgements
• Leading the production and sign-off of the divisional results pack
• Submitting accurate financial information to Group Reporting within the agreed timetable
• Providing the Divisional Finance Director with commentary on actuals, run-rate performance and accounting movements
• Acting as the first point of escalation for accounting policy and process queries within the division
• Ensuring compliance with group accounting policies, processes and reporting standards
• Working with the FP&A Centre of Excellence to support management information, forecasting and planning cycles
• Ensuring new processes, systems and ways of working are properly documented, adopted and embedded

Your Profile

• Fully qualified accountant, with ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Significant Financial Controller or Divisional Controller experience
• Proven experience in finance process mapping, diagnosis and improvement
• Experience supporting or delivering finance transformation initiatives
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including revenue recognition, WIP, accruals and provisions
• Experience within services, outsourced services, contracting or project-led environments
• Strong understanding of financial controls and month-end close processes
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, PE-backed environment
• Proven ability to implement and embed change

Compensation & Benefits

This interim role offers a day rate of £450-600 per day, dependent on experience, based in Leeds on a hybrid basis, 3 days per week.

The position provides the opportunity to take ownership of financial control for a significant division within a large PE-backed services group, while working closely with divisional and group finance leadership to deliver meaningful process improvements and leave the finance function materially stronger and more scalable.