Financial Controller in Bournemouth

THE COMPANY: Blue Skies Lifestyle is a Bournemouth-based luxury travel agency proudly entering its 21st year of success. Founded by directors Andy and Fran Castle, Blue Skies Lifestyle has gone from strength to strength, positioning its primary travel agency brand, Ski In Luxury, as a leading luxury ski chalet rental agency worldwide. Subsequent brand success stories within the group are Ultimate Luxury Chalets, Alps In Luxury, and Villas In Luxury offering chalets and villas across Europe and beyond, serving some of the most discerning travellers in the world. The company has an incredible, close-knit and commercially focused team who all share a passion for the mountains and luxury travel, taking great pride in their roles and being a part of its continued success. Blue Skies are looking for the right person to wholly own the finance function and help take it forward.

OVERVIEW OF THE ROLE The Finance Controller will lead and manage the finance function at Blue Skies Lifestyle Ltd, providing robust financial control, accurate reporting, and proactive analysis to support the company’s strategic and operational objectives. This is a hands-on, autonomous role covering all aspects of financial management, statutory compliance, and day-to-day financial operations. The postholder will work closely with the Directors to maintain the financial health of the business, drive continuous improvement, ensure all regulatory obligations are met, and act as the primary point of accountability for the finance function. The role is full-time and office-based in Bournemouth.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Compliance, Audit and Regulatory: Lead on all internal and external audit activity, ensuring the business maintains robust financial controls and audit-ready records at all times. Ensure full compliance with UK and international anti-money laundering (AML) legislation and fraud prevention obligations. Monitor and maintain compliance with all relevant financial regulations, including HMRC requirements, Companies House obligations, and applicable international financial regulations affecting the business. Maintain company compliance records, including all payments out and into the business, invoicing, contact information, receipts, and GDPR-related financial data. Audit all contacts and contract terms, flagging discrepancies and ensuring adherence to agreed commercial terms.
• VAT: Manage all aspects of UK VAT compliance, including application, preparation, audit, and submission of VAT returns to HMRC. Handle international VAT obligations applicable to a UK-based company, ensuring correct treatment of cross-border transactions. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of VAT legislation and proactively manage any changes affecting the business.
• Payroll and People Finance: Run the end-to-end payroll process using Xero Payroll, ensuring accuracy and full compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, and statutory payment obligations. Manage pension administration including auto-enrolment obligations and accurate Nest submissions. Process employee onboarding and offboarding through Xero, including tax code setup, starter and leaver administration, and final pay calculations. Process P60 and yearly obligations. Ensure accurate calculation, recording and processing of employee pay, reimbursements, bonuses, and statutory payments including SSP and SMP. Maintain compliance with Real Time Information (RTI) reporting requirements.
• Financial Operations and Cash Management: Oversee all day-to-day financial operations including sales and purchase ledgers, cashflow management and bank reconciliations across multiple accounts of different currencies. Manage movement of funds between company accounts to maximise interest and maintain appropriate liquidity for business operations. Maintain accurate and current records of all amounts owed and owing, ensuring proactive invoice and payment management across multiple currencies. Lead credit control activity, including confident and professional pursuit of overdue payments. Manage operator and supplier relationships, ensuring contract terms are clearly understood, adhered to, and enforced where necessary.
• Financial Reporting and Analysis: Prepare and present monthly management accounts to Directors, including supporting commentary and variance analysis, within 10 working days of month end. Deliver timely and accurate management information including set KPIs, cashflow forecasts and budget variance reports. Present bi-weekly invoicing status update and credit control. Lead the year-end process, including financial statement preparation and liaison with external accountants or auditors as required. Support Directors with budgeting, forecasting, and business planning including reporting on outgoings. Monitor the financial viability of business activities, using data and analytics to identify cost efficiencies and commercial risks. Maintain working knowledge of corporation tax obligations ensuring accurate payments are made on time.
• Financial Strategy: Provide clear, well-reasoned financial input to Directors to advise and inform key business decisions. Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and control across the finance function. Develop and embed best practice financial processes aligned with BSL’s values and growth objectives. Maintain up-to-date knowledge of relevant legislation and regulatory requirements, ensuring the business adapts accordingly.

KEY DELIVERABLES

• Monthly management accounts completed and presented within 10 working days of month end.
• VAT returns prepared and submitted in line with all statutory deadlines.
• Payroll processed accurately and on time each period, with all RTI submissions made to HMRC.
• Pension contributions calculated, deducted, and submitted to Nest in line with auto-enrolment requirements.
• Audit-ready financial records maintained at all times.
• Accurate and current cashflow forecasting updated regularly with attention to invoicing sent and paid according to terms; presented to Directors on request.
• Positive feedback from Directors on the quality, timeliness, and usefulness of financial reporting and advice.
• Demonstrable improvements in financial processes and compliance controls over time.
• Maintain utmost attention to detail and accuracy of accounting and recording throughout all tasks.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualified or part-qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, or AAT) or qualified by experience in a comparable finance management role.
• Minimum 3–5 years’ experience in a senior finance role, ideally within an SME or operationally complex environment.
• Advanced working knowledge of Xero and Xero Payroll ultimate package is essential.
• Use and experience of multiple currency accounts and Nest integration is desirable.
• Proficient in Excel and Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets).
• Demonstratable experience managing UK VAT compliance; some exposure to international VAT obligations is desirable.
• Experience running payroll end-to-end, including PAYE, NI, tax codes, statutory payments, and employee bonus calculation and application.
• Working knowledge of corporation tax requirements.
• Experience of audit processes and maintaining compliance-ready financial records.
• Knowledge of anti-money laundering regulations and fraud prevention obligations is desirable.
• A second language is not required but would be considered an advantage given the company’s international supplier relations.

SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES

• Confident and professional communicator, able to present financial information clearly to non-finance colleagues, Directors, suppliers, and external stakeholders, both in writing and in person.
• Highly organised and detail-oriented, with strong time management and the ability to work accurately under pressure.
• Proactive and commercially minded, identifying issues before they escalated and proposing practical, workable solutions.
• Comfortable and assertive when chasing overdue payments or enforcing contract terms, while maintaining positive professional working relationships.
• Approachable and collaborative, willing to support colleagues across the business on finance-related queries.
• Honest and reliable, with an unwavering commitment to confidentiality, integrity, and high standards.
• Able to work autonomously and take full ownership of the finance function without close supervision.
• Demonstrates Blue Skies Lifestyle’s values in all interactions.

This job description reflects the primary duties and responsibilities of the role. It is not exhaustive and may be amended from time to time in line with business need, and in consultation with the postholder. This is a full-time, office-based position in Bournemouth. Remote or hybrid working is not available for this role.