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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control and reporting across multiple sites, ensuring accuracy and governance.
- Company: Join a well-established wholesale and retail organisation with a dynamic leadership team.
- Benefits: Competitive salary up to £90,000, hybrid working, car, bonus, healthcare, and pension.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to mentor a high-performing finance team.
- Why this job: Be the No.2 in finance, influencing strategic decisions in a growing business.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in fast-paced environments and multi-site operations.
The predicted salary is between 54000 - 126000 £ per year.
Hays Senior Finance is working in partnership with a well-established wholesale, retail and distribution organisation to appoint a Financial Controller to a newly enhanced senior leadership position. Reporting directly to the Finance Director, this role represents the Number 2 position within Finance, offering significant exposure at executive level and the opportunity to influence strategic decision-making across a multi-site, multi-entity operation.
The opportunity
This is a senior Financial Controller role combining strong technical controllership with commercial and strategic partnering. The successful applicant will play a key role in strengthening financial governance, improving insight and supporting the continued development and scalability of the business. The role is well suited to an experienced, qualified finance leader from a wholesale, retail, distribution, manufacturing or similar fast-paced, high volume environment. And someone who is comfortable operating at both a strategic and hands-on level.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead financial control and reporting across multiple trading entities and sites
- Produce timely, accurate monthly management accounts, group reporting and analysis
- Own balance sheet integrity, cash flow forecasting and working capital management
- Lead statutory accounts preparation and manage the year-end audit process
- Act as a key business partner to the FD, executive team and senior operational leaders
- Provide commercial insight into margin, pricing, stock, logistics and cost performance
- Support strategic initiatives including growth, systems improvement, integration and change
- Ensure consistent financial processes, controls and governance across the group
- Lead, develop and mentor a high-performing finance team
- Drive continuous improvement across finance systems, reporting and processes
Essential criteria
- Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Proven experience operating at Financial Controller or Senior Finance Manager level
- Background within wholesale, retail, distribution, FMCG or supply-chain-led businesses
- Demonstrable experience managing multi-site and multi-entity environments
- Strong technical accounting, reporting and audit experience
- Commercially focused with the ability to influence at executive and board level
- Experience partnering with operational leaders within complex, fast-paced organisations
- Comfortable balancing strategic leadership with hands-on delivery
Applicants must have UK professional experience and the right to work in the UK on a permanent basis, without the requirement for current or future visa sponsorship.
What's on Offer
- Salary up to £90,000 depending on experience + benefits, car, bonus, healthcare, pension etc
- Hybrid working: 4 days on-site, 1 day remote
- True No.2 finance role with executive exposure
- Opportunity to shape and influence finance within a growing, operationally complex business
Apply Now: To apply for this Financial Controller role, please submit your CV via the link below.
For a confidential discussion about the position, the business or the wider market, please contact Karly Clark - Hays Senior Finance, partnering exclusively on this appointment. All applications and conversations will be treated in strict confidence.
Financial Controller in Leeds employer: Hays Accounts and Finance
Contact Detail:
Hays Accounts and Finance Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Leeds
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those in wholesale and retail. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings or even a referral.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and commercial insights. Be ready to discuss how you've influenced strategic decisions in past roles – that’s what will impress the hiring managers!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a quick email to express your enthusiasm. It shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your leadership skills! In interviews, share examples of how you've developed and mentored teams. This is key for a Financial Controller role, and it’ll set you apart from the competition.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Leeds
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience in financial control, reporting, and any relevant commercial insights you've gained in previous roles. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this is a senior position, it's crucial to demonstrate your leadership abilities. Share examples of how you've led teams or projects in the past, especially in fast-paced environments like wholesale or retail. We love seeing candidates who can inspire and mentor others!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it clear and to the point. Use bullet points for key achievements and avoid jargon unless it's relevant. We appreciate straightforward communication that gets right to the heart of your qualifications.
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Hays Accounts and Finance
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical prowess. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed financial reporting and analysis in previous roles. Show them you can handle the numbers with confidence!
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Familiarise yourself with the wholesale, retail, and distribution sectors. Research the company’s operations and challenges they face. This will help you provide insightful commercial perspectives during the interview, showcasing your ability to influence strategic decision-making.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills in real-world scenarios. Think of examples where you’ve improved financial processes or led a team through a challenging audit. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
As this role involves mentoring a finance team, be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share specific examples of how you’ve developed high-performing teams and driven continuous improvement. Highlight your ability to balance strategic oversight with hands-on involvement.