At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function, ensuring robust controls and accurate reporting.
- Company: Join ESG, a forward-thinking company focused on financial excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to build a high-performing finance team and drive continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial strategy and business growth.
- Qualifications: Qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA with senior finance experience.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
The Financial Controller is responsible for leading the finance function at ESG, ensuring the company operates with robust financial controls, accurate financial reporting, strong governance and commercially focused financial management.
Whilst the Management Accountant prepares the monthly management accounts and day-to-day financial reporting, the Financial Controller is accountable for reviewing, challenging and approving the financial information before it is presented to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team.
The role will provide strategic financial leadership, improve business performance through commercial analysis, manage cash flow and working capital, and ensure ESG’s rental assets and storage operations achieve maximum return on investment.
As a key member of the Senior Leadership Team, the Financial Controller will provide financial insight that supports profitable growth, operational excellence and informed decision making.
- Finance Leadership
- Lead, mentor and develop the finance team.
- Manage the workload and priorities of the Management Accountant and Accounts Administrators.
- Build a high-performing finance department.
- Drive a culture of accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement.
- Develop finance processes and procedures.
- Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and financial controls.
- Support recruitment, training and succession planning within the department.
Review, challenge and approve all financial reporting prepared by the Management Accountant, including:
- Monthly Management Accounts
- Balance Sheet
- Cash Flow
- Departmental Performance
- Project Profitability
- Gross Margin Reporting
- Accruals and Prepayments
- Journals
- Balance Sheet Reconciliations
- Work in Progress (WIP)
- Fixed Asset Register
- The Financial Controller is accountable for the completeness, accuracy and integrity of all financial information presented to the business.
- Cash Flow & Working Capital
- Producing and reviewing rolling cash flow forecasts.
- Monitoring daily cash balances.
- Approving supplier payment runs.
- Managing payment terms.
- Supporting banking facilities and funding requirements.
- Improving cash conversion across the business.
- Commercial Finance
- Review project profitability.
- Analyse project margins.
- Challenge financial performance.
- Review major quotations and commercial proposals.
- Produce financial analysis for strategic decisions.
- Identify cost-saving opportunities.
- Improve overall business profitability.
- Budgeting & Forecasting
- Lead the annual budgeting process.
- Support strategic planning.
- Rental Assets
- Produce monthly rental performance reports.
- Review asset depreciation and replacement programmes.
- Ensure the rental asset register is accurate and reconciled with the fixed asset register.
- Monitor damaged, lost and obsolete assets.
- Review rental pricing to maximise profitability.
- Recommend future rental asset investment.
- Storage
- Monitor profitability of customer storage services.
- Review warehouse occupancy and utilisation.
- Ensure all storage charges are accurately invoiced.
- Identify opportunities to improve warehouse profitability.
- Support pricing reviews for storage services.
- Purchase approval procedures.
- Credit control.
- Company credit cards.
- Expenses.
- Fixed asset controls.
- Stock valuation.
- Banking controls.
- Delegated authority limits.
- Financial policies and procedures.
- Systems & Reporting
- Microsoft Business Central
- Banking Systems
- Expense Management Systems
- Develop reporting that provides timely and meaningful information to management.
- Compliance
- HMRC Regulations
- VAT
- PAYE
- Pension Regulations
- Audit Requirements
- External Reporting Obligations
- Act as the primary contact for external accountants, auditors and banking partners.
- Leadership
- Lead and develop the finance team.
- Conduct regular one-to-one meetings.
- Complete performance reviews.
- Set objectives and development plans.
- Promote continuous improvement.
- Build strong working relationships across all departments.
- Support managers with financial understanding and decision making.
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Month-end accounts signed off within five working days;
- Clean year-end audit
- Cash flow forecast accuracy
- Debtor days within target
- Creditor days within agreed terms
- Budget and forecast accuracy
- Gross margin reporting accuracy
Commercial Performance
- Project profitability improvements
- Working capital improvements; Cash conversion improvements
- Financial risk reduction
Rental & Storage
- Rental return on assets (ROA)
- Rental revenue; Rental gross margin
- Lost and damaged asset cost
- Storage revenue
- Storage gross margin
- Revenue per square metre of storage
- Warehouse utilisation
- Un invoiced rental and storage value.
Leadership
- Finance team development
- Process improvements implemented
- Authority
- Approval of monthly management accounts.
- Supplier payment runs (within delegated authority).
- Financial procedures and controls.
- Banking relationships.
- Balance sheet sign-off.
- Year-end accounts.
- Audit responses.
- Finance team management.
- Budget monitoring and reporting.
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or qualified by significant experience).
- Minimum five years in a senior finance role.
- Experience leading finance teams.
- Manufacturing, construction, exhibition or project-based industry experience.
- Excellent knowledge of management accounting.
- Cash flow forecasting expertise.
- Experience using ERP systems.
- Microsoft Business Central.
- Power BI.
- Project accounting.
- Asset management.
- Rental business experience.
- Multi-company accounting.
- European VAT knowledge.
- Personal Attributes
- Commercially minded.
- Strong leadership skills.
- Highly organised.
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Analytical thinker.
- Honest and trustworthy.
- Calm under pressure.
- Success Measures
Within the first 12 months, the Financial Controller will have
- Built a highly effective finance function recognised for accuracy, responsiveness and commercial insight.
- Reduced month-end reporting to within five working days.
- Strengthened financial controls and governance across the business.
- Improved cash flow forecasting and working capital performance.
- Delivered accurate budgeting and forecasting processes.
- Implemented meaningful financial dashboards using Business Central and Power BI.
- Improved the commercial performance of ESG’s rental assets and storage operations.
- Become a trusted financial adviser to the Managing Director and Senior Leadership Team.
Role Summary
The Financial Controller is a senior leadership position responsible for ensuring the financial health, governance and commercial success of ESG.
The role combines strong financial control with commercial business partnering, supporting the continued growth of the business through accurate reporting, effective leadership and sound financial decision-making.
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Financial Controller employer: Esg
As a leading software and services company in Chorley, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that values excellence and integrity. Our hybrid working model offers flexibility, while our commitment to employee growth ensures that you will have ample opportunities to develop your skills and advance your career in the dynamic utility sector. Join us to be part of a passionate team dedicated to delivering innovative solutions and exceptional service to our clients.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨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 Esg. 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
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 Esg.
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 Esg'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 Esg
✨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 Esg.
✨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 Esg 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 Esg 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.
