Financial Controller in Knutsford

I am currently recruiting a Financial Controller for a professional services organisation based in the Manchester area. My client has completed two acquisitions in the past 8 months, with a further planned for this year. The business is undergoing integration into a standardised finance environment, with a clear focus on building a scalable, data‑driven operating model under a single entity brand. With strong backing from a supportive private equity partner and a clear national growth strategy, this is a rare opportunity to play a key role in shaping the financial infrastructure of a high‑growth business.

The Role

As Financial Controller, you will report directly to the CFO and have full ownership of the day‑to‑day finance function, while acting as a strategic partner to the CFO and wider executive team. This is a hands‑on leadership role in a fast‑paced, acquisitive environment, requiring a combination of technical excellence, commercial awareness and operational delivery. Supporting the CFO’s focus on strategy, M&A and investor relations, the Financial Controller will ensure the finance function is robust, scalable and operating effectively at pace.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and continuously improve the month‑end close process, ensuring timely, accurate and audit‑ready financial reporting.
• Maintain full balance sheet integrity, with clear ownership, reconciliations and supporting documentation.
• Lead the year‑end audit process, acting as primary contact for auditors and ensuring a smooth, low‑adjustment audit.
• Oversee group consolidation and statutory reporting requirements.
• Own cash flow forecasting, daily cash management and medium‑term liquidity planning.
• Drive improvements in working capital, including WIP, billing and debtor management.
• Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, including development of annual operating and capital budgets.
• Provide high-quality financial analysis and insight to support decision‑making across the business.
• Prepare and deliver the finance section of the monthly Board pack, including KPI reporting and performance analysis.
• Own finance systems and data integrity, including development of scalable processes and reporting structures.
• Support financial due diligence on acquisitions and assess financial implications of potential transactions.
• Lead financial integration of acquired businesses, including systems migration, control alignment and reporting standardisation.
• Deliver timely and accurate reporting to the Board, private equity investors and lenders.
• Take ownership of lender covenant calculations and reporting.
• Support the CFO in managing relationships with key stakeholders including investors, lenders, auditors and advisers.

Key Requirements

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with strong post‑qualification experience.
• Proven track record of delivering high‑quality, timely financial reporting and maintaining robust financial controls in a scaling environment.
• Experience within a professional services or business services environment (legal and regulatory sector experience strongly preferred).
• Strong understanding of WIP accounting, revenue recognition and working capital management.
• Private equity experience preferred, ideally within a buy‑and‑build environment.
• Demonstrated experience in financial due diligence and post‑acquisition integration.
• Strong finance systems capability, with experience improving or implementing finance or practice management systems.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels.