Senior Financial Controller

Russam; Thrapston; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Russam is supporting a long-established family-owned timber products manufacturer to appoint a Senior Financial Controller. The role is hands-on and sits in the senior leadership team, advising the Managing Director on financial, commercial and strategic decisions, including shaping long-term options for the business.

You will lead a three-person accounts team, own month-end and audit relationships, strengthen controls across two sites, and partner on pricing, investment and cost reduction.

Qualifications

• Qualified in ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Proven experience as Financial Controller or senior finance leader in an SME.
• Strong management accounting, including job costing.
• Exposure to M&A, acquisitions, disposals or a business sale process.
• Experience supporting a business through turnaround or tough trading conditions.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop an accounts team of three across two sites.
• Own month-end, management accounts, year-end and audit relationships.
• Strengthen financial controls across both sites, including stock control and reconciliations.
• Report margin by division and by job to identify profitability.
• Manage cash flow and rolling forecast; lead budgeting and reforecasting.
• Partner with the MD on pricing, investment and cost reduction.
• Contribute to long-term financial planning and potential M&A activity.
• Attend board meetings and manage relationships with banks, auditors and advisers.
• Oversee IT infrastructure and HR/recruitment support.

Skills

Management accounting

Job costing

Financial leadership

Turnaround experience

M&A exposure

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Job description

Russam is supporting a long-established, family-owned manufacturer of bespoke timber products in the appointment of a Senior Financial Controller. With more than a century of trading history, around 130 employees across two sites and a strong reputation for craftsmanship, the business serves trade, commercial and private clients across engineered timber, timber frame housing and premium garden and equestrian buildings.

After a challenging period for the construction and building products market, the business is entering a phase of modernisation and margin recovery. This is a pivotal, hands‑on role at the heart of the senior leadership team, acting as a trusted right hand to the Managing Director on financial, commercial and strategic decisions, including shaping the long‑term options for the business. For the right person, there is a clear path to Finance Director.

• Finance leadership: Lead, mentor and develop an accounts team of three, building capability and confidence as the function modernises.
• Reporting: Own month-end, management accounts, year-end and the audit relationship, delivering clear monthly reporting to the MD and board.
• Controls: Strengthen financial controls across both sites, including stock control, reconciliations and job costing.
• Profitability: Report margin by division and by job, so the business knows exactly where it makes and loses money.
• Cash & forecasting: Manage cash flow and working capital through a rolling cash forecast, and lead budgeting and reforecasting.
• Commercial partnering: Act as a sounding board to the MD on pricing, investment and cost reduction, driving the profit improvement plan.
• Strategy & corporate finance: Contribute to long‑term financial planning and strategic options, including potential M&A activity.
• Governance: Attend board meetings, report to the family shareholders and manage relationships with banks, auditors and advisers.
• Wider business: Oversee IT infrastructure and suppliers, and support HR and recruitment alongside colleagues.

The Desired Candidate

You will be a qualified, commercially sharp finance leader, most likely an ambitious Financial Controller ready for the step up to FD, or an FD who relishes a hands‑on brief. You will combine strong technical controls with the confidence and presence to advise on strategy.

You will bring:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance leader in an SME.
• Strong management accounting, including job or contract costing.
• Exposure to M&A, acquisitions, disposals or a business sale process.
• Experience of supporting a business through turnaround, profit improvement or tough trading conditions.
• A background in manufacturing, construction or building products (desirable rather than essential).
• A resilient, consultative style, with the gravitas to challenge constructively and earn the trust of a family board.
• A long‑term commitment to the business, living within comfortable commuting distance of Thrapston.