Finance Director

Location - Knowsley, Merseyside

Ashley & McDonough Compliance Services is a long established mechanical and electrical (M&E) compliance specialist, serving the North West, Lancashire, Yorkshire, the Midlands and North Wales. The business has operated for over 70 years, developing a strong reputation for delivering high quality, safe and reliable engineering services. With its long-standing heritage, technical competence, accredited quality systems and customer focused delivery model, Ashley & McDonough Compliance Services presents a for organisations seeking a high performing M&E compliance provider.

As a part of the broader Mecsia Group, Ashley & McDonough continues to expand its service offering — including new specialist teams such as a Gas Installs division — supporting clients with installs, maintenance, reactive works, full M&E packages, refurbishments, and compliance solutions.

Job Overview

With a reporting line into Group FC (all finance matters) as well as to the A&M CEO (admin and working relationships), the Head of Finance will support the development of the business, the wider Mecsia Finance Function and a leading financial control environment in a fast-growing PE-backed business. With a strong team already in place, this newly‑created role will take on responsibility for engagement with Mecsia.

Key Responsibilities

• Transactional Finance: Oversee and support the accounting Team, ensuring their processes fit into the overall control framework and enable a smooth management accounts cycle. Identify efficiencies through automation, use of technology and centralisation of processes to achieve improved reporting timelines and more insightful management reports.
• Management Accounts: Lead the company’s monthly reporting process providing management accounts which are always audit‑ready and aligned with the financial standards followed by the Group. Own the month‑end process from the start through to close of accounts and handover to the Group Head of FP&A for reporting. Carry out balance sheet review and output, resolving issues picked up in the timetabled reconciliations and managing the risks and opportunities on the balance sheet through the course of the financial year. Ensure regulatory submissions and payments are made (VAT, PAYE, CT, ONS).
• Statutory Accounts: Support the group audit process. Work directly with the external audit team, providing them with high quality information, to ensure the audit is completed on time. Ensure the timely preparation, review and submission of accurate, compliant annual statutory accounts.
• Technical Accounting: Strong, up‑to‑date knowledge of UK GAAP accounting standards. Coach and build skills in‑house to reduce need for external advice and support.
• Working Capital Management: Active management of working capital, with a particular focus on prompt invoicing of WiP and timely collection of debtors. Ensure suppliers are paid on time wherever possible. Prompt upstreaming of surplus cash to Group.
• Budgeting and Forecasting: Preparation of detailed, robust draft annual budgets for approval by GFC, as well as regular reforecasts. Prepare weekly 18‑week cash flow forecasts including: Supplier payments, Payroll and taxes, Group charges and upstreaming of surplus cash. Support the group banking facilities and all treasury activities to include cash flow management and production of 18‑week cash flow forecasts.
• Collaboration and Stakeholder Management: Support the company CEO with timely and insightful information on profitability and key metrics. Act as part of the company Senior Management Team to maximise company performance and deliver improved commercial results. Provide timely, insightful information on potential risk areas for follow‑up, such as accrued income, debtors, costs and sales pipeline. Work alongside peers on Group‑wide initiatives, such as aligning CoA, maximising cash upstreaming, developing and reporting on insightful KPIs, implementing new business and finance systems, sharing best practice.

Skills and Experience Required

• Recognised accountancy qualification; or part‑qualified and on track to qualify.
• 3 or more years’ financial management experience.
• Excellent knowledge of UK GAAP.
• Excellent understanding of processes and controls to enable robust financial reporting.
• Proven ability to deliver monthly management reporting and analysis.
• Excellent analytical skills, able to understand the business and its key drivers, explain complex requirements and processes.
• Results driven with the ability to deliver to tight deadlines in a fast‑paced business.

Why Join Us?

Joining Ashley & McDonough Compliance Services as a Head of Finance offers a unique opportunity to shape the financial strategy of a long established, fast growing, and operationally robust M&E compliance business. With a culture described as straight forward, honest and customer focused, and teams known for being empathetic, well trained and committed, Ashley & McDonough offers a people driven environment where strategic finance leadership can truly thrive.

Need more info? Yasmin will answer your questions. y.hussain@mecsia.com