Reporting And Controls Lead in Preston

We're looking for a finance leader to take ownership of reporting, controls and statutory compliance across a £100m revenue division.

This is a unique opportunity to combine hands‑on financial leadership with driving transformation, enhancing reporting capabilities, strengthening governance, and helping to deliver the next generation of finance systems and processes.

Working closely with senior stakeholders, you'll play a key role in supporting business performance while developing a high‑performing finance team.

This role can be based anywhere across the North West of England, with an expectation to attend our Bamber Bridge, Preston office a minimum of two days per week.

What you'll be doing

• Deliver accurate monthly management accounts and Group reporting within a four-day close cycle.
• Maintain strong financial controls while ensuring compliance with accounting standards, Group policies, and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee statutory reporting, tax deliverables, and external audit requirements.
• Lead cash forecasting and provide clear visibility of cash flow, risks, and opportunities.
• Drive improvements in working capital performance and project cash conversion.
• Act as the primary contact for external auditors, coordinating audits and statutory reporting.
• Ensure control issues are identified, addressed, and resolved effectively.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Partner with operational, commercial, and Group Finance stakeholders to support business performance and decision-making.
• Support financial planning, performance reporting, and strategic initiatives.
• Lead the finance workstream for ERP (IFS) implementation and wider transformation projects.
• Drive process standardisation, automation, reporting improvements, and successful adoption of new ways of working.
• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).
• Significant experience in financial control, reporting, or a senior finance role within a global business.
• Experience of multi-entity and/or multi-currency environments.
• Strong track record in month-end close, balance sheet control, and management reporting.
• Experience of finance transformation and/or ERP implementations.
• Statutory accounts, external audit, and accounting standards expertise.
• Proven people leadership and team development experience.
• Strong cash flow and working capital management skills.
• Ability to influence and communicate effectively with finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Demonstrable success in improving financial controls, reporting processes, and operational efficiency.

Desirable

• Experience within project-based, engineering, energy, renewables, marine, or industrial services sectors.
• Working knowledge of IFS and/or Cognos.
• Experience supporting geographically dispersed teams and international operations.

James Fisher is a global engineering services company with over 50 years of experience delivering complex offshore energy projects in some of the world's most challenging environments.

We operate across Energy, Defence, and Maritime Transport, leveraging cutting‑edge technology and deep expertise to support the full lifecycle of our customers' assets.

• Competitive salary and benefits package aligned with experience (Private Medical Insurance, Life Assurance, Cycle to work scheme, Company Pension, etc.)
• Clear pathways for career development and organisational visibility.
• Inclusive and supportive culture that values individual contributions.
• Meaningful work with impact across safety, innovation, and global operations.
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