Operations & Financial Controller

Forrest Recruitment Ltd.; Knutsford; On-site; GBP 54,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Forrest Recruitment Ltd. is seeking an experienced Operations and Financial Controller to own the finance function and key operational processes.

The role involves shaping how the business operates, improving processes, and introducing automation, working closely with the owner to support growth. You will manage financial reporting, P&L, balance sheet, and monthly management accounts, while leading a small team and ensuring robust financial controls.

Qualifications

• Experience managing a P&L and balance sheet.
• Experience producing monthly management accounts.
• Experience supervising a team.
• Strong attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Ability to identify inefficiencies and implement improvements.
• Excellent communication with owners and external advisers.

Responsibilities

• Owning and managing business processes from purchasing through to accounts.
• Reviewing, simplifying and improving processes, making effective use of AI, automation and modern software.
• Managing the team on a day–to–day basis, setting priorities, reviewing work and ensuring processes run smoothly.
• Taking responsibility for the P&L, balance sheet and monthly management accounts.
• Overseeing purchasing, suppliers, stock and payments, ensuring robust financial controls are in place.
• Supporting with hands–on accounts duties when required, including sales and purchase invoices, bank payments and reconciliations.
• Managing compliance requirements.
• Acting as the main point of contact for HMRC and external accountants.
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes and introduce automation.
• Working closely with the owner on financial and operational matters.
• Providing accurate financial information and insight to support business decisions.

Skills

P&L management

Balance sheet

Team management

Monthly accounts

Process improvement

Automation

Education

ACCA, CIMA or AAT qualification

Job description

Operations and Financial Controller – Knustford – Permanent – up to GBP60,000 DOE

We are working with an established and growing business that is looking to appoint an Operations and Financial Controller to take ownership of its finance and wider business processes.

This is a broad and hands–on role, ideal for an experienced finance professional who enjoys being more than just a traditional Financial Controller. You will have the opportunity to shape how the business operates, improve processes, introduce new technology and automation, and work closely with the owner to support the continued growth of the business.

You will take ownership of the company's financial processes while also overseeing key operational functions.

Your responsibilities will include:

• Owning and managing business processes from purchasing through to accounts
• Reviewing, simplifying and improving processes, making effective use of AI, automation and modern software
• Managing the team on a day–to–day basis, setting priorities, reviewing work and ensuring processes run smoothly
• Taking responsibility for the P&L, balance sheet and monthly management accounts
• Overseeing purchasing, suppliers, stock and payments, ensuring robust financial controls are in place
• Supporting with hands–on accounts duties when required, including sales and purchase invoices, bank payments and reconciliations
• Managing compliance requirements
• Acting as the main point of contact for HMRC and external accountants
• Identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, reduce manual processes and introduce automation
• Working closely with the owner on financial and operational matters
• Providing accurate financial information and insight to support business decisions

We are looking for an organised, commercially minded finance professional who enjoys taking ownership and making things happen.

You will ideally have:

• ACCA, CIMA or AAT qualification, or be qualified by experience
• Strong practical experience managing a P&L and balance sheet
• Experience producing and understanding monthly management accounts
• Previous experience managing or supervising a team
• Strong attention to detail with excellent organisational skills
• A natural ability to identify inefficiencies and put clear processes in place
• Strong communication skills and the confidence to work directly with business owners and external advisers

If you are an experienced finance professional looking for a role with genuine ownership, variety and the opportunity to influence how a business operates, we would love to hear from you.