Financial Controller in Wembley

As Financial Controller, you will manage all aspects of the finance function, including accounting, reporting, and budgeting/forecasting. You will lead, develop, and motivate the team to deliver an efficient and modern support service to the business. In this role, you will also contribute to the future strategy of the finance department and the wider business, ensuring robust financial management and supporting ongoing growth and improvement.

Key Responsibilities:

• Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation and accuracy of all financial reports, including P&L, Balance Sheet, and Cash Flow, ensuring timely submission and continuous improvement in line with the business and Grafton Group plc requirements.
• Data Analysis and Insight: Analyse and present financial and operational data to highlight business performance, trends, and variances, supporting informed decision-making at Company and Store level.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Prepare budgets and forecasts, monitor actual performance against targets, and communicate key variances to drive business performance.
• Finance Operations Management: Accountable for the General Ledger and Accounts Payable functions, leading process improvements and maintaining robust financial controls.
• Team Leadership and Development: Lead, develop, and motivate the team to create an effective, empowered, and high-performing working environment aligned with company vision and objectives.
• Process Improvement: Drive simplification, standardisation, and continuous improvement of finance processes and controls, collaborating with stakeholders across Leyland SDM and Grafton Group for effective end-to-end reporting.
• Statutory Audit: Oversee the annual statutory audit, ensuring all required information is provided to auditors promptly and accurately.
• Service Performance Review: Continuously review and challenge the finance function’s service performance, identifying and implementing opportunities for improvement to enhance the value and success of the Finance function and the wider business e.g. business partnering with operations team.

Skills and Experience Required:

Essential:

• Professional Qualification: Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, AAT or equivalent) with relevant post qualification experience.
• Financial Reporting Experience: Demonstrate experience within a financial reporting or financial controlling environment, including strong knowledge of UK FRS101 and IFRS accounting standards, including IFRS16 Lease Accounting.
• People Management: Proven people management skills with a track record of developing individuals and high-performing teams.
• Communication and Conflict Resolution: Excellent communication skills with experience in managing and resolving conflicts effectively.
• Microsoft Office Proficiency: Strong skills in Microsoft Office applications.
• Organisation and Compliance: Highly organised and adept at working to strict guidelines and deadlines.
• Results Orientation: Results driven and change oriented, with a focus on achieving objectives.
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to dive deep into data, processes, people, and technology to identify issues and opportunities.
• Leadership Trust: Track record of earning the trust of leadership by challenging norms, driving team performance, enabling growth, and improving efficiency.
• Process Improvement: Ability to drive and implement process improvements across the finance function.

Desirable:

• Professional Firm Experience: Experience from a professional accounting firm is strongly preferred or similar relevant experience.
• Retail Environment Exposure: Experience of working in a challenging, fast-paced, multi-site retail environment.