Interim Financial Controller / Finance Manager

Headstar; Harrogate; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Headstar is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller / Finance Manager in Harrogate for an initial 3-month assignment. You will take ownership of the day-to-day finance function, deliver management accounts, maintain controls and support the business through a transition to a permanent appointment.

You will oversee accounting processes, provide financial insight to senior management, and mentor two trainee accountants.

Qualifications

• Strong financial controls and accounting principles
• Experience producing management accounts
• Budgeting and forecasting experience
• Ability to work with senior stakeholders
• Hands-on approach and attention to detail
• Mentoring junior accountants

Responsibilities

• Produce and review monthly management accounts
• Manage bank and balance sheet reconciliations
• Oversee purchase, sales ledgers, cashbook and general ledger
• Monitor cash flow and working capital
• Support budgeting and forecasting
• Provide financial insight to senior management
• Support year-end accounts, audit and statutory requirements
• Collaborate with external accountants and auditors
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and automate
• Mentor two trainee accountants

Skills

Financial Controller experience

Finance Manager experience

Senior management accounting

Education

Professional accounting qualification

Tools

Excel

Xero

Job description

Interim Financial Controller / Finance Manager

Harrogate 3 Months £60,000-£70,000 FTE Equivalent On Site

I'm working with a growing, entrepreneurial business based in Harrogate that is looking for an experienced Interim Financial Controller / Finance Manager to join the business for an initial 3-month assignment.

The business is currently recruiting for a permanent appointment, and this interim requirement is to provide additional senior finance support and ensure the function continues to operate effectively during that process.

This is a broad, hands-on opportunity for an experienced finance professional who can come in, take ownership quickly and make an immediate impact.

You'll have genuine responsibility across the finance function, working closely with senior management and helping to ensure the numbers are accurate, controls are robust and the business has the financial information it needs to make good decisions.

The Role

You’ll take ownership of the day-to-day finance function, with responsibilities including:

• Producing and reviewing monthly management accounts
• Managing bank and balance sheet reconciliations
• Overseeing purchase ledger, sales ledger, cashbook and general ledger activity
• Monitoring cash flow and working capital
• Investigating variances and unusual transactions
• Maintaining strong financial controls and processes
• Supporting budgeting and forecasting
• Producing meaningful management information and KPIs
• Providing financial insight to senior management
• Supporting year-end accounts, audit and statutory requirements
• Working with external accountants and auditors
• Supporting the wider Group where required
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes and reduce manual work
• Improving the use of systems and automation
• Mentoring and supporting two trainee accountants

This isn't simply a reporting role. You'll be expected to understand what the numbers are saying, identify issues and opportunities, and communicate the financial implications clearly to the wider business.

About You

We’re looking for an experienced finance professional who can operate independently and hit the ground running.

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong Financial Controller / Finance Manager / senior management accounting experience
• A strong understanding of financial controls and accounting principles
• Proven experience producing management accounts
• Budgeting and forecasting experience
• Strong reconciliation and problem-solving skills
• Excellent Excel/spreadsheet skills
• Experience improving finance processes and controls
• The confidence to work with senior stakeholders
• A hands‑on approach and willingness to get into the detail
• The ability to mentor and support more junior members of the finance team
• A relevant professional accounting qualification, although strong QBE candidates will be considered

Experience within insurance, financial services or another regulated environment would be advantageous, as would experience using Xero.

Why Consider It?

This is a good opportunity for an interim professional who enjoys walking into a business, taking ownership and making things better.

You’ll have:

• Genuine ownership of the finance function
• Direct exposure to senior management
• A broad remit across financial control, reporting and commercial finance
• The opportunity to strengthen controls and processes
• Scope to improve systems, automation and MI
• Responsibility for mentoring two trainee accountants
• Exposure to a growing business and wider Group
• The autonomy to come in and make a tangible difference

The business isn’t looking for someone to simply keep the lights on. They want someone who can understand the detail, see the bigger picture and provide confidence that the finance function is operating effectively.