At a Glance
- Tasks: Take charge of finance operations and ensure accurate reporting in a growing education business.
- Company: Dynamic multi-site private education company focused on growth and operational excellence.
- Benefits: Flexible 3-day work week with potential for full-time, plus opportunities for career advancement.
- Other info: Collaborate with a Fractional CFO and lead a small finance team in a supportive environment.
- Why this job: Join a hands-on role where your financial expertise directly impacts educational success.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with hands-on finance experience and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 50000 - 60000 £ per year.
A growing, profitable multi-site private education business is seeking a hands-on, qualified Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function during a period of structured growth and operational maturation. This is initially a 3 day per week engagement for 3 months. There is potential for the role to convert to a permanent, full-time position, with the remaining 2 days covering broader operational responsibilities across the group.
Working alongside a Fractional CFO who leads strategic finance and board engagement, you will be the senior in-house finance lead, responsible for execution, control, and reporting.
Key responsibilities:- Produce a credible, robust, and challengeable set of monthly management accounts
- Own the revenue recognition process end-to-end, ensuring accuracy and consistency in a business with monthly variability
- Own customer invoicing, ensuring timely and accurate billing across all sites
- Deliver KPI reporting and weekly aged debtor and creditor reporting, with supporting analysis to inform decision-making
- Own cash management, weekly payment runs, and loading banking payments, strengthening controls and creditor settlement
- Lead credit control across a customer base with extended payment cycles
- Run payroll administration, including preparing the monthly file for external accountants
- Prepare and submit VAT returns
- Lead year-end close and manage the audit/year-end process with external accountants
- Manage day-to-day relationships with outsourced accountants and payroll providers
- Line manage a Finance Assistant (with accounts payable support already in place), with a dotted line to the outsourced accounting provider
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Hands-on SME finance experience – you have personally prepared management accounts, owned revenue recognition, run customer invoicing, processed payroll inputs, submitted VAT returns, and managed credit control
- Strong analytical mindset; able to interrogate the numbers and explain the story behind them
- Strong working capital and cash discipline
- Comfortable operating alongside a Fractional CFO: confident without daily senior oversight, but knows what to elevate and when
- Pragmatic, detail-oriented, and high-integrity. This is a doer's role.
Financial Controller/Manager in Birmingham employer: McQuade Consulting
Join a dynamic and expanding private education business that values hands-on expertise and offers a collaborative work environment. With a focus on employee growth, you will have the opportunity to evolve from a part-time role into a full-time position while working closely with a seasoned Fractional CFO. Our culture promotes accountability and innovation, ensuring that your contributions directly impact our operational success and the educational experiences we provide.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller/Manager in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a role that’s perfect for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding the latest trends in finance. Be ready to discuss how your hands-on experience aligns with the needs of the business, especially around cash management and revenue recognition.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your analytical mindset! During interviews, be prepared to share examples of how you've interrogated numbers and made data-driven decisions. This will demonstrate your ability to own the financial function effectively.
✨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/Manager in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the specific skills and experiences mentioned in the job description. Highlight your hands-on finance experience and any relevant qualifications like ACA, ACCA, or CIMA. We want to see how you fit into our growing team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Financial Controller role. Share examples of how you've managed finance functions and contributed to growth in previous roles. Let us know what excites you about joining StudySmarter!
Showcase Your Analytical Skills:Since this role requires a strong analytical mindset, be sure to include examples of how you've interrogated numbers and provided insights in your past positions. We love candidates who can tell a story with data, so don’t hold back!
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’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you’re keen on being part of the StudySmarter family!
How to prepare for a job interview at McQuade Consulting
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you’ll need to demonstrate your expertise with numbers. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed accounts, invoicing, and cash flow in previous roles. Prepare examples that showcase your analytical skills and how you’ve used data to drive decisions.
✨Understand the Business Model
Familiarise yourself with the private education sector and the specific business model of the company you're interviewing with. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you understand the unique challenges they face, especially during periods of growth and operational maturation.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your problem-solving abilities. Think about past experiences where you had to manage cash flow issues or handle discrepancies in financial reporting. Be ready to explain your thought process and the outcomes of your actions.
✨Show Your Leadership Skills
Since this role involves managing a Finance Assistant and liaising with outsourced accountants, highlight your leadership experience. Share examples of how you've successfully led teams or projects, and how you ensure effective communication and collaboration in a finance function.
