Interim Financial Controller

South Lakes Housing; Preston; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

South Lakes Housing is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller / Senior Finance Manager to lead core reporting and financial control during a period of change, working closely with the Head of Finance. The role involves hands-on execution and ownership of ERP implementation, process improvements, and enhanced budgeting and forecasting.

You will drive weekly and monthly reporting, VAT/compliance, year-end support, and development of management information while supporting growth

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant with strong financial reporting and control experience.
• Experience with ERP implementation or systems change.
• Proven track record of delivering finance process improvements.
• Experience in a fast-paced SME environment.
• Hands-on, autonomous with strong communication to senior stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Weekly and monthly financial reporting and control.
• WIP calculations and associated sales/purchase reporting.
• VAT, PAYE, CIS and Reverse Charge VAT compliance.
• Year-end accounts and external audit support.
• Oversight and support of transactional finance.
• Improving finance processes, controls and reporting.
• Supporting the implementation of a new ERP system.
• Developing budgeting, forecasting and management information.
• Supporting the Head of Finance, MD and wider business during a period of growth and change.

Skills

Financial reporting

Financial control

ERP implementation

Process improvements

Stakeholder communication

Autonomous working

Education

Qualified Accountant

Tools

ERP software

Job description

We are recruiting an experienced Interim Financial Controller / Senior Finance Manager for a growing, PE-backed engineering and services business undergoing a significant period of change.

Working closely with the Head of Finance, this is more than a BAU cover role. The business needs an experienced, hands‑on interim who can take ownership of core reporting and financial control whilst providing additional support around anERP implementation, process improvement and the development of stronger reporting, budgeting and forecasting processes.

The Role

You will take responsibility for:

• Weekly and monthly financial reporting and control

• WIP calculations and associated sales/purchase reporting

• VAT, PAYE, CIS and Reverse Charge VAT compliance

• Year-end accounts and external audit support

• Oversight and support of transactional finance

• Improving finance processes, controls and reporting

• Supporting the implementation of a new ERP system

• Developing budgeting, forecasting and management information

• Supporting the Head of Finance, MD and wider business during a period of growth and change

The Person

We are looking for an experienced Financial Controller, Senior Finance Manager or established interim who combines strong technical accounting and financial control with the ability to improve how a finance function operates.

You will ideally bring:

• Qualified Accountant

• Strong financial reporting and control experience

• Previous ERP implementation/systems change exposure

• A track record of delivering finance process improvements

• Experience within a fast‑paced, changing SME environment

• A pragmatic, hands‑on approach with the ability to work autonomously

• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work with senior stakeholders

This is an excellent assignment for an interim who enjoys getting under the skin of a business quickly, maintaining robust financial control whilst helping to deliver meaningful and lasting improvements.