At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, manage financial reporting, and drive business performance improvements.
- Company: Established business in Colchester with a strong focus on growth and leadership.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, management bonus, 25 days leave, and private medical insurance.
- Other info: Proactive role with opportunities for professional development and process improvement.
- Why this job: Join the Senior Leadership Team and make a real impact on business decisions.
- Qualifications: Accountancy qualification or part-qualified, with experience in finance and project-based environments.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 60000 £ per year.
Financial Controller
Colchester, Essex | £50,000–£60,000 + Management Bonus | Office-based | ASAP
"Control your own destiny or someone else will." Jack Welch.
Sheridan Maine is delighted to be working with an established business based in Colchester, Essex, to recruit a Financial Controller.
This is a key role within the organisation, offering the opportunity to lead a small finance team while becoming a full member of the Senior Leadership Team.
The successful candidate will take ownership of the finance function, providing accurate financial reporting alongside the commercial insight needed to support business performance, growth and decision-making.
The Role
As Financial Controller, you will have a broad remit across financial reporting, commercial finance, forecasting, cash flow and process improvement.
You will work closely with colleagues across the business, providing clear financial insight and helping to drive improvements.
Your responsibilities will include
- Leading and developing a small finance team, ensuring a high standard of financial control and reporting.
- Owning the month-end close and producing timely management accounts, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and WIP reporting.
- Preparing financial information for monthly Board and Group reporting, including meaningful variance analysis.
- Leading the annual budgeting process, rolling forecasts and short-term cash flow forecasting, while overseeing working capital management.
- Working closely with sales, estimating, production and project management teams to understand costs, margins and project performance.
- Providing commercial analysis to support pricing, capacity planning, capital investment and other key business decisions.
- Improving project costing, WIP and margin reporting to give greater visibility of performance throughout the project lifecycle.
- Leading finance improvement projects, including process automation, strengthening controls and improving the integration between finance systems.
- Managing year-end audit requirements and coordinating statutory, tax and VAT matters with external advisers.
- Contributing as a full member of the Senior Leadership Team, supporting wider business decisions beyond the finance function.
About You
We are looking for a commercially minded finance professional who can combine strong technical accounting skills with the confidence to work closely with operational and senior stakeholders.
You will ideally have
- A recognised accountancy qualification or be part-qualified, with ACA, ACCA or CIMA studies.
- Experience in a manufacturing, engineering, construction or other project-based environment, with an understanding of WIP, job costing and project margins.
- Proven experience of producing accurate management accounts to tight deadlines.
- Strong knowledge of budgeting, forecasting, cash flow and balance sheet control.
- Experience of delivering finance process, reporting or system improvements.
- External audit experience and a good understanding of statutory and tax requirements.
- Strong Microsoft Excel modelling skills and a good working knowledge of Sage.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the ability to explain financial information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
- A proactive and commercially focused approach, with the confidence to challenge and support colleagues at all levels.
- What's on Offer
- Salary: Up to £60,000 per annum
- Management bonus scheme
- 25 days' annual leave, plus bank holidays
- 5% employer pension contribution
- Private medical insurance
- The opportunity to join the Senior Leadership Team and make a genuine impact across an established business
If you are an experienced finance professional looking for a broad Financial Controller role where you can combine financial leadership, commercial insight and business improvement, we would love to hear from you.
You are required to be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction.
Due to the high volume of applications, it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants.
Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within five days, please assume that on this occasion your application has not been successful.
Financial Controller in Colchester employer: Jobiqo
Bromley Council is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where employees can thrive. With a strong commitment to professional development, flexible working arrangements, and a generous benefits package, including a local government pension scheme and unique discounts, the Council prioritises employee well-being and career growth. Located in the vibrant Bromley Civic Centre, you will be part of a team that plays a crucial role in shaping the future of the borough while enjoying the balance of urban and suburban life.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Colchester
✨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 Jobiqo. 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 in Colchester
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 Jobiqo.
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 Jobiqo'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 Jobiqo
✨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 Jobiqo.
✨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 Jobiqo 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 Jobiqo 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.