Financial Controller in Ilford

Job Title: Financial Controller

Location: Dagenham/Ilford/Romford area
Reports To: Managing Director
Salary:Competitive, dependent on experience
Employment Type:Full-time, Permanent

Company Overview

Our company is a first-class provider of veterinary services. We\’re proud to be a dynamic and rapidly growing independent veterinary group, currently operating over 42 sites with plans to expand to 60+ in the next year. We have a strong focus on delivering exceptional veterinary care and we are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, and financial transparency.

You may be interested to learn that if you are a pet lover with a household companion, as an employee you automatically become eligible for 50% off the cost of your pet\’s treatment.

Role Overview

As Financial Controller, you will play a pivotal role in managing the financial health of the business. You will be a hands-on finance professional with deep expertise in financial management, reporting, and control, ensuring accurate and timely financial insights to support strategic decision-making. Given our rapid and exciting expansion, this role will require a proactive and commercially minded finance leader who is comfortable with the complexities of multi-site operations, cashflow management, audits, and M&A financial due diligence. The finance team is a small team and therefore the role will be very much a hands on financial controller, reconciliation work and reviewing processes in liaison with the companys external accountants.

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) who thrives in an infectiously fun, fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities/Financial Management & Reporting

– Oversee all aspects of financial management, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.
– Produce and review monthly management accounts, P&L, and balance sheet reconciliations.
– Take ownership of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring alignment with business goals.
– Manage cashflow forecasting and liquidity planning across a growing group structure.
– Ensure compliance with statutory reporting, VAT and corporate tax obligations.

Systems & Process Improvement

– Lead the optimisation and automation of financial processes to improve efficiency and accuracy.
– Drive best practices in financial controls, ensuring scalability in line with business growth.
– Act as the key finance lead for Xero accounting software, ensuring effective utilisation and improvements.

Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Due Diligence

– Support financial due diligence for acquisitions and integrations of new veterinary sites.
– Provide valuation insights, risk assessments, and post-acquisition financial integration.
– Work closely with external advisors and internal stakeholders during transactions.

Audit, Compliance & Risk Management

– Manage the external audit process, liaising with auditors and ensuring regulatory compliance.
– Ensure robust financial governance, internal controls, and risk management across all sites.

Leadership & Team Development

– Support and mentor junior finance team members, fostering continuous development.
– Work collaboratively with the wider finance and operational teams to drive financial performance.

Person Specification

Essential:

– Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) with strong technical expertise.
– Proven experience as a Financial Controller or similar role in a multi-site business.
– Hands-on approach with a keen eye for detail and accuracy.
– Skilled in Xero accounting software, with the ability to drive improvements and efficiencies.
– Strong knowledge of cashflow management, audit processes, and financial controls.
– Experience in M&A financial due diligence, including valuations and integrations.
– Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commercial mindset.
– Ability to work at pace in a rapidly expanding environment, adapting to change.
– Excellent communication and leadership skills, able to liaise with senior stakeholders.

Desirable:
– Experience in the veterinary, healthcare, or multi-site service industries.
– Knowledge of private equity-backed businesses or high-growth environments.
– Familiarity with financial modelling and investor reporting.