At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a finance team, manage budgets, and enhance financial reporting.
- Company: Dynamic SME with a strong market reputation and growth potential.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hands-on role, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Exciting opportunity to work closely with business owners and drive continuous improvement.
- Why this job: Play a key role in a growing business and make impactful financial decisions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with SME finance leadership experience and strong Excel skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Our client is a successful, privately owned SME operating across multiple sites within a specialist operational sector. The business has built a strong reputation within its market and is entering an exciting new phase of development.
Following the planned departure of the current Finance Director, an opportunity has arisen for an experienced Financial Controller to lead the finance function and work closely with the business owners to support the continued growth and development of the organisation.
Additional Information
- Office based role, five days per week
- Occasional travel to a second operational site will be required (currently around once per week, likely reducing over time)
- A comprehensive handover will be provided by the outgoing Finance Director
- Indicative timeline: Start date ideally in September 2026
- Opportunity to play a key role within a successful and growing owner-managed business
Role Description
Reporting directly to the owners, the Financial Controller will take overall responsibility for the day-to-day finance function whilst managing a small, established team of five. This is a broad and hands-on role suited to someone who enjoys operating within an SME environment, combining strong financial control with commercial awareness and operational involvement. The successful candidate will be expected to operate confidently at both strategic and operational levels, remaining hands-on whilst acting as a trusted adviser to the business owners. The finance function is well established, with robust processes, systems and reporting already in place. The successful candidate will focus on maintaining and enhancing existing systems, controls and reporting, rather than building the function from scratch.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead, manage and develop a finance team of five
- Production and review of monthly management accounts and reporting to the owners
- Ownership of budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management
- Ensure the integrity of financial controls and reporting processes across all entities
- Oversee audit, statutory accounts and tax compliance, working with external auditors
- Manage relationships with external auditors, banks, insurers/brokers and professional advisers
- Oversee payroll processes (in-house, weekly and monthly payroll cycles)
- Support commercial decision making through insightful financial analysis
- Drive continuous improvement in reporting, processes and systems
- Work closely with operational management to improve business performance
- Support the ongoing development of Power BI and management reporting capability, building on the current Excel-based reporting suite
Candidate Requirements
We are seeking a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with previous experience operating in a Financial Controller, Head of Finance or Senior Finance Manager capacity within an SME environment. The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong SME finance leadership experience (typically within a £10m-£50m turnover business)
- Experience managing and developing a small finance team
- Excellent management accounting and financial reporting skills, with personal involvement in producing management accounts
- Advanced Excel capability, including complex linked workbooks, macros, pivot tables and management reporting models
- Experience with, or strong interest in, Power BI and reporting system development
- Strong commercial awareness and business partnering skills
- The ability to operate both strategically and hands-on
- Confidence working directly with business owners and senior stakeholders
- A proactive, pragmatic, 'roll up your sleeves' approach to problem solving
- Experience improving reporting processes and introducing new technologies (including AI) would be advantageous
- Experience within manufacturing, logistics, distribution, construction, engineering, waste or other operationally-focused businesses would be advantageous, although not essential.
Financial Controller in Bradford employer: Mature Accountants ltd
Join a dynamic and thriving privately owned SME where your expertise as a Financial Controller will be pivotal in steering the finance function towards continued growth. With a strong reputation in its sector, this company offers a collaborative work culture, opportunities for professional development, and the chance to make a tangible impact within a supportive team environment. Located in a vibrant area, you will enjoy a hands-on role that not only values your financial acumen but also encourages innovation and improvement in processes and systems.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Bradford
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
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Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Mature Accountants ltd. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Mature Accountants ltd.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Mature Accountants ltd. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Bradford
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Mature Accountants ltd and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Mature Accountants ltd how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Mature Accountants ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Mature Accountants ltd.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Mature Accountants ltd's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
