At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, ensuring accurate reporting and supporting the team during a transition.
- Company: A growing multi-entity business with a strong finance team.
- Benefits: Competitive daily rate, flexible hybrid working, and leadership opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact while guiding a capable finance team through a transitional period.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Financial Controller with strong operational finance skills.
Location: Flexible hybrid working, with approximately one day per week in the East of England and occasional travel into Central London
- Duration: 6 months
- Start: ASAP / short notice preferred
- The Business
A growing, multi-entity business is looking to appoint an Interim Financial Controller to provide stability and leadership across the finance function while a permanent appointment is made.
The business operates across multiple legal entities and has an established, capable finance team in place.
This is therefore not a turnaround mandate or a requirement for a heavyweight Interim Finance Director.
The priority is a strong, hands-on Financial Controller who can take ownership of the finance function, maintain reporting standards and support the wider business during the holding period.
The working pattern is relatively flexible, although candidates will need to be comfortable with approximately one day per week in the East of England, alongside occasional travel into Central London.
The Role
The Interim Financial Controller will take responsibility for the day-to-day running of finance, working closely with the CFO and existing finance team.
Key responsibilities will include
- Ownership of the month-end close and delivery of accurate, timely management reporting.
- Oversight of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and wider FP&A activity.
- Leadership of the finance team, ensuring clear ownership, deadlines and reporting standards.
- Balance sheet control, reconciliations and maintenance of a strong financial control environment.
- Commercial and operational finance support to senior stakeholders across the business.
- Group reporting, consolidations and reporting across multiple entities.
- Supporting year-end, audit and statutory reporting requirements where required.
- Identifying and resolving any issues that arise during the interim period while minimising disruption to the existing team
- Ensuring finance remains well controlled and commercially useful ahead of the permanent Financial Controller joining.
- The Profile
We are looking for an experienced, hands-on Financial Controller who is comfortable operating across the full finance function rather than being narrowly focused on either technical accounting or FP&A.
Ideally, you will bring
- Previous Financial Controller, Group Financial Controller or equivalent experience.
- Strong operational finance experience across budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, management reporting and financial control.
- Proven ownership of month-end reporting and the ability to maintain or improve close processes.
- Experience within a multi-entity or larger Group environment, including Group reporting and consolidations.
- Previous exposure to private equity-backed, acquisitive or fast-moving businesses would be advantageous.
- Strong leadership skills, with the ability to work with an experienced and relatively self-sufficient finance team.
- The judgement and experience to operate independently and deal confidently with issues as they arise.
- Flexibility to travel approximately one day per week to the East of England / Suffolk area, alongside occasional Central London meetings.
The successful candidate could come from either a hands-on SME Financial Controller background with particularly strong operational finance experience, or a larger Group / Big 4-trained background with greater depth across Group Reporting and consolidations.
The key requirement is someone sufficiently experienced to provide dependable interim cover without overcomplicating the mandate.
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Financial Controller in Ipswich employer: Cedar
Cedar is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of major rail infrastructure projects. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for career progression alongside competitive benefits such as private medical insurance. Join us in a vibrant location where your expertise in M&E construction will be valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Ipswich
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Cedar. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Ipswich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Cedar.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Cedar's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cedar
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Cedar.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Cedar will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Cedar employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
