Financial Controller

Overview

In this Financial Controller role, you will lead and shape the finance function within a growing SME near Bristol. You’ll partner with the Directors to provide financial insight, drive timely reporting, and prepare the business for the next growth phase. The role blends hands-on accounting with commercial analysis and strategic input in a fast-paced environment. You will build a high-performing team and set up scalable processes to support governance and decision-making.

Responsibilities

• Recruit, lead and develop the finance team as the business grows
• Oversee monthly management accounts production
• Prepare and monitor budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections
• Provide commercially focused management information to Directors
• Ensure balance sheet and control accounts are reconciled
• Prepare accruals and prepayments schedules
• Oversee VAT, tax, payroll, treasury and cash flow management
• Manage stock takes and stock reporting accuracy
• Review, develop and implement systems, processes and controls for reporting and scalability
• Lead preparation of statutory accounts and the annual audit
• Build relations with external stakeholders (auditors, banks, HMRC)
• Lead financial and business improvement projects as required

Key requirements

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA)
• Experience in an SME environment
• Ready to take first number one finance role and build a team
• Hands-on with detail while seeing the bigger picture
• Strong communication and stakeholder management
• Experience improving financial systems, processes and controls
• Commercial awareness and ability to translate financial data into insight
• Proactive, pragmatic and solutions-focused mindset
• Ambition to progress to Finance Director as the business grows

• communication and stakeholder management
• leadership and people development
• commercial awareness
• financial reporting and management accounting
• budgeting and forecasting
• cash flow management

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