Interim Financial Controller

Headstar; Wetherby; On-site; GBP 73,800 - 83,025; Full time

Job summary

Headstar is seeking an interim Finance Controller to step into a mid‑sized UK business in Leeds. You will own the finance function, drive stability, and help the company navigate a transition with pragmatic leadership.

This contract is 3–6 months, on‑site with flexible pattern; daily rate £400–£450. Part‑time considered to match workload.

You will oversee month‑end, reporting, controls, payroll oversight, and partner with senior leaders to deliver accurate insights and robust governance.

Qualifications

• Experience leading a finance function as Finance Controller or Senior Finance Manager.
• Able to stabilise a changing finance function with structured processes.
• Hands-on operator balancing strategic thinking with attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Own the finance function and provide hands-on leadership.
• Lead month-end close, reconciliations, cashflow reporting and MI.
• Review and improve reporting, controls, systems and ways of working.
• Provide direction to the finance team and partner with senior leadership.
• Ensure finance systems and outsourced payroll are controlled and effective.

Skills

Finance leadership

Month-end close

Reporting

Process improvement

Stakeholder management

Systems & payroll oversight

Job description

Interim Finance Controller £400-£450 per day 3-6 Months+ Full-time or Part-time Considered

Are you an experienced Finance Controller who enjoys stepping into a business, bringing stability, and quickly getting a grip on a finance function?

If you're at your best when you're rolling your sleeves up, improving processes, and providing leadership through periods of change, this could be a great fit.

We're supporting a c£50m turnover business that is performing well commercially but is looking for an experienced interim Finance Controller to provide leadership, strengthen controls, and drive improvements across the finance function.

This is a key appointment during an important transition period, with the opportunity to make a genuine impact and potentially support the business on a longer-term basis.

The Role

Reporting into senior leadership, you'll take ownership of the finance function, providing hands-on leadership while improving processes, reporting, and controls.

• Finance Leadership: Taking ownership of day-to-day finance operations, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and strong financial control across the business.
• Month-End & Reporting: Leading month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, cashflow reporting, management information, and ensuring stakeholders have reliable insight.
• Process Improvement: Reviewing existing processes and introducing improvements across reporting, controls, systems, and ways of working.
• Team & Stakeholder Support: Providing direction and support to the wider finance team, whilst acting as a trusted partner to senior leadership.
• Systems & Payroll: Ensuring finance systems and outsourced payroll processes are operating effectively, accurately, and with appropriate controls in place.

What we're looking for

• An experienced Finance Controller / Senior Finance Manager who has successfully led a finance function.
• Someone comfortable stepping into an environment that needs structure, challenge, and improvement.
• A hands-on operator who can balance strategic thinking with getting involved in the detail when required.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge with excellent month-end, reporting, and control experience.
• A confident communicator who can quickly build credibility with stakeholders across the business.

Why Join?

This is an opportunity to step into a business where your experience will genuinely add value.

You’ll be trusted to stabilise, improve, and strengthen the finance function, with the autonomy to make meaningful changes rather than simply keep things ticking over.

The initial assignment is expected to be around 3-6 months, with flexibility around working patterns, and there is potential for longer‑term opportunities for the right person.

Location: Leeds- predominantly on-site (flexibility considered)Rate: £400-£450 per dayDuration: Initially 3-6 months with the opportunity to go temp to perm Working pattern: Full-time preferred, but part-time considered