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- Tasks: Lead financial management, produce reports, and drive profitability in a growing business.
- Company: Join a thriving family-owned business with over £20m turnover and 150+ employees.
- Benefits: Enjoy a hands-on role with potential for career growth and modernising financial systems.
- Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team, influence decision-making, and make a real impact on the business.
- 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 to drive change.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 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 KPIs 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 in Bolton employer: AFR Consulting
Contact Detail:
AFR Consulting Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Bolton
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the company's financial landscape. Research their recent growth, turnover, and divisions to understand their business model better. This knowledge will help you demonstrate your interest and insight during discussions.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with current or former employees if possible. They can provide valuable insights into the company culture and expectations for the Financial Controller role, which can help you tailor your approach.
✨Tip Number 3
Brush up on your SAGE and Excel skills. Since experience with these tools is highlighted in the job description, being able to discuss your proficiency and any relevant projects will set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your experience in driving financial improvements and modernising systems. Think of specific examples where you've successfully implemented changes that led to increased efficiency or profitability, as this aligns with the company's goals.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Bolton
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 or QBE) and any specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to drive profitability and manage complex financial processes.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your enthusiasm for the role and the company. Discuss how your skills align with the responsibilities of the Financial Controller position, such as managing cash flow, developing KPIs, and improving processes. Use specific examples from your past experience to illustrate your points.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since great communication skills are essential for this role, ensure your application reflects your ability to convey complex financial information clearly. You might include examples of how you've successfully communicated with stakeholders or led teams in previous roles.
Highlight Technical Proficiency: Mention your experience with SAGE and Excel, especially if you have used these tools for data manipulation and reporting. Providing specific examples of how you've utilised these systems to improve financial processes will strengthen your application.
How to prepare for a job interview at AFR Consulting
✨Understand the Business Model
Familiarise yourself with the company's operations, especially how they generate revenue across their five divisions. Being able to discuss their business model and how your role as Financial Controller can enhance profitability will impress the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare to discuss your experience in producing management accounts and developing KPIs. Highlight specific examples where your analysis led to improved performance or cost savings, as this aligns directly with the responsibilities of the role.
✨Demonstrate Leadership and Team Management
Since you'll be managing a small finance department, be ready to talk about your leadership style and how you've successfully developed teams in the past. Share examples of how you've motivated staff and improved team performance.
✨Be Ready for Change Management Discussions
The company is looking for someone who can modernise systems and automate processes. Prepare to discuss your experience with change management, including any specific projects where you implemented new systems or processes that resulted in efficiency gains.
