At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function, ensuring accurate financial reporting and decision-making support.
- Company: Growing business near High Wycombe with a hands-on culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working options, and genuine ownership of your role.
- Other info: Opportunity for significant influence and career growth in a dynamic environment.
- Why this job: Be the number-one finance person and shape the future of the business.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with strong management accounts experience.
The predicted salary is between 59400 - 72600 £ per year.
Are you a commercially minded, technically strong qualified accountant looking for genuine ownership of a finance function?
We are recruiting a hands-on
Financial Controller to join a growing business near High Wycombe.
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is the number-one finance role in the business: a senior, highly autonomous position with full responsibility for the integrity, delivery and development of the finance function.
The opportunity
This is not a role where you simply review a team’s output.
You will take personal ownership of the numbers, lead a robust and proactive month-end process, and ensure the business has accurate, insightful financial information to support confident decision-making.
As the most senior finance professional in the organisation, you will operate without a Finance Director above you.
You will have genuine technical accountability, a direct voice with the Managing Director, and the opportunity to shape processes, improve systems and support the business as it continues to grow.
Key responsibilities
As Financial Controller, you will
- Lead the monthly management accounts process, ensuring timely and accurate delivery.
- Prepare and review reconciliations, prepayments, accruals, fixed assets and depreciation.
- Produce consolidated and branch-level P&Ls, including analysis against budget and prior year.
- Review gross-profit performance and investigate significant variances.
- Manage the monthly payroll journal and oversee payroll-related information.
- Ensure VAT records are accurate, reconciled and submitted correctly.
- Take ownership of year-end audit preparation, audit files and liaison with auditors and tax advisers.
- Lead the annual budgeting process, working with colleagues to collate assumptions and produce budget P&Ls.
- Manage statutory compliance, including relevant HMRC and Companies House filings.
- Prepare and maintain a rolling cashflow forecast, highlighting risks and managing banking relationships.
- Work with ERP and reporting-system providers to enhance reporting, ledger configuration and finance processes.
- Coordinate finance and administration colleagues on escalated matters, systems queries and process improvements.
About you
You will be a fully qualified accountant — ACA, ACCA or CIMA — with the confidence, judgement and resilience to succeed as the number-one finance person within a growing business.
You will also bring
- Strong experience of producing management accounts and running disciplined month-end processes.
- Excellent reconciliation skills and a determination to investigate and resolve variances thoroughly.
- The ability to analyse transaction-level data and manage complex financial information accurately.
- A hands-on approach: you are happy producing the detail as well as interpreting it.
- The confidence to raise issues clearly and constructively with the Managing Director, auditors and external advisers.
- Previous experience as a senior standalone finance professional, or clear readiness to take on this level of responsibility.
- Location and flexibility
- The position is based at the company’s Head Office in
Stokenchurch .
Regular on-site presence is important due to the senior, hands-on nature of the role; however, a modest, structured hybrid arrangement — such as one fixed work-from-home day per week — can be discussed once you are established in the position.
If you are a proactive, commercially aware finance professional seeking a number-one Financial Controller role with real accountability, influence and long-term scope, we would welcome your application.
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Financial Controller in Stokenchurch employer: Parke Lane People Limited
As a Sales Specialist in London & South East, you will thrive in a supportive and quality-focused environment that prioritises employee growth and autonomy. With a competitive salary, generous benefits package, and structured training, this role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact while working with high-quality products and a dedicated team. Join us to build meaningful relationships and advance your career in a professional sales organisation committed to excellence.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Stokenchurch
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Parke Lane People Limited. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Stokenchurch
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Parke Lane People Limited.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Parke Lane People Limited's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Parke Lane People Limited
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Parke Lane People Limited.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Parke Lane People Limited will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Parke Lane People Limited employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.