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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Manage financial operations and provide insightful reporting across multiple entities.
- Company: Join Hudson Kapel, a rapidly expanding UK automotive services group.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, dynamic work environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Be part of an exciting scale-up phase and make a real impact on financial processes.
- Qualifications: Fully CIMA qualified with strong accounting experience and Excel skills.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with a focus on innovation and process improvement.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Hudson Kapel is a rapidly expanding UK-based group operating across automotive and related services, including auction, fleet management, asset-based operations, car subscription services, and vehicle reporting software. Over the past few years, we have grown into a dynamic, multi-entity group with ambitious plans for further expansion. We are investing in our finance function to support this growth, improve controls, and provide clear commercial insight across the business. This is a chance to join a company at an exciting stage of scale-up, where your contributions ensure the business has accurate, timely financial information to operate efficiently.
We are looking for a hands-on, commercially minded accountant who can manage the numbers, provide MI insight, and bring ideas to help improve processes as the business grows.
The Role
This is a hands-on, commercially focused accounting role across multiple Hudson Kapel entities. You will work closely with senior leadership, taking ownership of core accounting activities, producing accurate MI reporting, and helping to maintain smooth day-to-day financial operations. This role suits someone who enjoys working directly with the numbers, managing multiple entities, and ensuring the business has reliable, timely financial information to support ongoing operations.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Prepare weekly, monthly, and ad-hoc MI (management information) including KPIs, variance analysis, and insight for senior stakeholders
- Ownership of month-end close, journals, and balance sheet reconciliations
- Intercompany accounting and reconciliations
- Support with year-end statutory accounts and liaise with external accountants
- Cashflow forecasting and working capital management
- Budget forecast for group companies
- Financial performance analysis, reporting, and insight
- Support operational teams across auction, fleet management, car subscription services, asset-based operations, and vehicle reporting software
- Preparation and submission of VAT returns
- Ensuring compliance with UK accounting standards and internal controls
- Preparation and management of HMRC activities
- Review and improve accounting processes and controls
- Support system enhancements and automation
- Act as a key finance contact across the Group
What You’ll Need
- Fully CIMA qualified (ACMA)
- Proven experience in a commercial or industry accounting role
- Strong technical accounting knowledge and confident with Excel and accounting systems
- Proficiency in Sage accounting software
- Ability to produce timely weekly and monthly MI and translate it into actionable insight
- Comfortable managing multiple priorities and entities
- Commercially minded with a proactive, operational approach
- Hands-on experience in an operational finance environment
- Strong communicator able to work effectively with senior leadership
Nice To Have
- Experience in SME or group accounting environments
- Exposure to automotive-related businesses or software platforms
- Brings ideas and solutions to improve processes and reporting, not just producing numbers
- Curious, innovative, and confident in suggesting practical improvements
Financial Controller in Bedford employer: Hudson Kapel
Contact Detail:
Hudson Kapel Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Bedford
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those in automotive or related sectors. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding of MI reporting. Be ready to discuss how you can bring value to Hudson Kapel’s growth and improve their financial processes.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! When chatting with potential employers, highlight specific examples where you’ve managed multiple entities or improved accounting processes. This will set you apart from the crowd.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Bedford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Financial Controller role. Highlight your CIMA qualification and any relevant experience in commercial accounting, especially if you've worked with multiple entities.
Showcase Your MI Skills: Since this role involves producing management information, be sure to include examples of how you've successfully created insightful reports in the past. Use specific metrics or KPIs to demonstrate your impact.
Be Hands-On in Your Cover Letter: In your cover letter, emphasise your hands-on approach to finance. Share anecdotes that illustrate your ability to manage numbers and improve processes, showing us you're proactive and commercially minded.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates during the process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Hudson Kapel
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll be expected to manage and interpret financial data. Brush up on your technical accounting knowledge and be ready to discuss how you've used MI reporting in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific examples of how your insights have driven business decisions.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Mindset
This role requires a commercially minded approach, so think about how you can demonstrate this during the interview. Prepare to discuss how you've improved processes or provided actionable insights in past positions. Highlight any experience you have with cashflow forecasting and budget management.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Sage
Since proficiency in Sage accounting software is a must-have, make sure you're comfortable discussing your experience with it. If you have any tips or tricks for using Sage effectively, share those during the interview to show your hands-on experience and problem-solving skills.
✨Prepare Questions for Senior Leadership
Interviews are a two-way street, so come prepared with thoughtful questions for the senior leadership team. Ask about their vision for the finance function as the company scales, or how they see the role of the Financial Controller evolving. This shows your interest in the company's future and your proactive approach.
