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- Tasks: Lead the finance team, ensuring accurate reporting and optimising financial systems.
- Company: Fast-paced, PE-backed service business focused on accuracy and visibility.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Other info: Opportunity to enhance processes and drive financial excellence.
- Why this job: Be the backbone of finance, making impactful decisions alongside the CFO.
- Qualifications: Qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA with 5-8 years of experience in the service industry.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 100000 £ per year.
Sector: Private Equity-Backed
Morgan McKinley are supporting a PE backed business in their search for a Group Financial Controller, you will be the backbone of the finance function. We are a fast-paced, PE-backed service business where accuracy, speed, and visibility are paramount. You will lead the core finance team and oversee the FP&A function to ensure that our commercial decisions are backed by "one version of the truth." This is a high-visibility role, acting as the right hand to the CFO and ensuring the business is audit-ready, scalable, and operationally excellent.
Financial Control & Reporting
- Consolidation: Lead the month-end close process for the Group, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of management accounts.
- Service-Sector Metrics: Own the reporting of service-specific KPIs, including WIP (Work in Progress), Revenue Recognition, and Staff Utilization.
- The "Audit-Ready" Environment: Maintain a robust control framework across the group to satisfy PE-level scrutiny and year-end requirements.
Leadership & FP&A Integration
- Team Leadership: Manage and develop a team of Number, overseeing the transactional and management accounting functions.
- FP&A Oversight: While managing the "actuals," you will oversee the FP&A lead to ensure that budgeting, rolling forecasts, and variance analyses are integrated with the core ledger.
- System Optimization: Drive the improvement of financial systems to automate manual reporting and enhance data integrity.
Cash & Working Capital
- Cash Flow Excellence: Manage the group's cash position, with a focus on optimizing the Order-to-Cash (O2C) cycle within a service-based billing environment.
- Debt Management: Monitor banking covenants and provide necessary reporting to lenders and PE investors.
The Candidate Profile
- Qualified: ACA / ACCA / CIMA with substantial post-qualified experience (likely 5-8 years+).
- Service Industry Background: Experience in a business where "people are the product" is highly desirable (understanding billable hours, project margins, and contract revenue).
- PE Experience: You are comfortable with the "weekly/monthly" reporting rhythm required by Private Equity and the focus on EBITDA integrity.
- Technical Expert: A strong technician who enjoys "getting under the hood" of the accounts to fix processes and improve accuracy.
- Communication: Ability to distill complex technical accounting into clear, commercial summaries for the CFO and the Board.
Group Financial Controller employer: Morgan McKinley (Milton Keynes)
Contact Detail:
Morgan McKinley (Milton Keynes) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance sector, especially those who have experience in private equity. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills. Since this role requires a strong grasp of financial control and reporting, be ready to discuss your experience with month-end close processes and service-sector metrics.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership abilities! Be prepared to share examples of how you've managed teams and improved financial systems. This will demonstrate your capability to lead the core finance team 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 take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Group Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience in financial control, reporting, and team leadership, as these are key aspects of the job. We want to see how your background aligns with our fast-paced, PE-backed environment.
Showcase Your Achievements: When writing your application, don’t just list your responsibilities; showcase your achievements! Use specific examples that demonstrate your ability to lead a finance team, manage cash flow, and optimise financial systems. This will help us see the impact you've made in previous roles.
Be Clear and Concise: We appreciate clarity! Make sure your written application is easy to read and straight to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role, and ensure your key skills and experiences shine through without unnecessary fluff.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about our company culture and values.
How to prepare for a job interview at Morgan McKinley (Milton Keynes)
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Group Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key metrics like EBITDA, cash flow, and service-specific KPIs. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in previous roles and how they relate to the company's goals.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role involves managing a team, so be prepared to talk about your leadership style. Share examples of how you've developed teams in the past, tackled challenges, and fostered a collaborative environment. Highlight any experience you have in overseeing FP&A functions.
✨Understand the PE Landscape
Since this is a PE-backed business, it's crucial to understand the dynamics of working with private equity. Familiarise yourself with the reporting rhythms and what PE investors typically look for. Discuss how you've navigated similar environments before.
✨Be Audit-Ready
The role requires maintaining an audit-ready environment, so be prepared to discuss your experience with compliance and control frameworks. Share specific instances where you've ensured accuracy and transparency in financial reporting, and how you’ve prepared for audits in the past.