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- Tasks: Lead financial management and drive profitability in a growing family business.
- Company: Join a successful, cash-rich company with over 150 staff and multiple divisions.
- Benefits: Opportunity for career progression to Finance Director and hands-on experience in finance.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, influence decision-making, and modernise financial systems.
- Qualifications: CIMA or ACCA/ACA qualified preferred; experience in finance for SMEs is essential.
- Other info: Office-based role requiring flexibility and strong communication skills.
The predicted salary is between 43200 - 72000 £ per year.
This highly entrepreneurial, family owned business has grown substantially in the last few years and is currently north of £20m turnover. Profitable and operating over five divisions across two sites, supplying materials and services to residential and large, commercial customers, they are an established, cash rich business employing over 150 staff.
Their long standing Finance Director is planning to retire at the end of the year and will be going part-time in the next 4-6 months so they are now looking to appoint an experienced Financial Controller with a view to taking over the role and if proven successful, become FD in the future. This is therefore an important appointment for the group, reporting into the CEO and acting as a key member of the senior management team.
The Financial Controller will manage the company finances to drive the profitability and growth of the business and will be expected to play a major role in decision making. Managing a small finance department you will drive greater understanding of costs and margins to improve performance whilst also making sense of complex revenue streams and high volumes of transactions. There is real scope here for someone to make improvements, modernising systems and automating processes.
The key duties of the Financial Controller will be:
- Produce monthly management accounts with commentary
- Develop KPI’s and MI pack for the board
- Provide analysis of costs and process efficiency
- Create the annual budget and report variances
- Drive commercial / financial awareness in each department
- Cashflow management, banking and financial forecasting
- Managing the year end with full audit liaison
- Oversee wages, PAYE, NI and HMRC matters
- Manage and develop the transactional accounting team
- Provide advice on equipment and fleet financing options
- Maintain fixed asset register
- Reporting on inter-company trading
As a business they are always looking at commercial opportunities so you can also expect to have to react quickly and offer financial judgement on different business cases that come along. Great communication skills and credibility will be essential as you will be expected to challenge and question the current set up and make recommendations to stakeholders and colleagues that can drive change and improve processes.
Experience of using SAGE would be very useful in this role, particularly exporting data for manipulation in Excel, applicants should also be very comfortable dealing with operational and business management systems.
The ideal candidate for this vacancy must preferably be CIMA or ACCA / ACA qualified or qualified by experience (QBE) with experience of managing the finance function for a growing SME. Office based this will definitely be a hands on role so will require a flexible approach, working as part of a team and taking ownership to get things done during busy periods.
Financial Controller / FD Designate employer: AFR Consulting
Contact Detail:
AFR Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller / FD Designate
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the company's financial landscape. Research their current financial performance, key revenue streams, and any recent changes in their operations. This knowledge will help you engage in meaningful conversations during interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in SMEs or family-owned businesses. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who might provide insights or even referrals for the position.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with financial systems, particularly SAGE and Excel. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've used these tools to improve processes or drive financial performance in previous roles, as this will be crucial for the Financial Controller position.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills and ability to manage a team effectively. Think of examples where you've successfully led a finance team through challenges or implemented changes that improved efficiency. This will highlight your readiness for a hands-on role in a growing business.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller / FD Designate
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial management, particularly in a growing SME. Emphasise your qualifications (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) and any hands-on roles you've held that align with the responsibilities of a Financial Controller.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your skills in managing finances, driving profitability, and improving processes can contribute to the company's growth and success.
Showcase Relevant Skills: Highlight specific skills that are crucial for this position, such as cash flow management, budgeting, and financial forecasting. Mention your experience with SAGE and Excel, as well as your ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.
Prepare for Potential Questions: Anticipate questions related to your experience in managing finance functions and your approach to modernising systems. Be ready to discuss examples of how you've driven change and improved financial processes in previous roles.
How to prepare for a job interview at AFR Consulting
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
Be prepared to discuss your experience with financial management, particularly in a growing SME. Highlight specific examples where you've successfully managed budgets, improved profitability, or streamlined processes.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As this role involves managing a small finance department, it's crucial to showcase your leadership abilities. Share instances where you've led a team, driven change, or mentored colleagues to enhance their performance.
✨Familiarise Yourself with SAGE and Excel
Since experience with SAGE and Excel is beneficial for this position, brush up on your skills with these tools. Be ready to discuss how you've used them in previous roles, especially in data manipulation and reporting.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills and financial judgement. Prepare to discuss how you would approach various business cases or challenges the company might face, demonstrating your ability to think critically and strategically.
