At a Glance
- Tasks: Shape the finance function and manage day-to-day operations in a fast-growing business.
- Company: Rapidly scaling North East business with exciting growth opportunities.
- Benefits: Autonomy, direct exposure to founders, and bonus potential linked to performance.
- Other info: Fully office-based role in Middlesbrough with excellent progression potential.
- Why this job: Influence a growing business and accelerate your career in finance.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance roles with strong commercial awareness and proactive mindset.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Some finance roles are about keeping score. This one is about helping build something. We're working with a rapidly scaling North East business that has gone from start‑up to multi‑million‑pound growth in a remarkably short space of time. Operating across specialist industrial and offshore projects, they are entering a critical stage of growth and now need a Financial Controller who can help bring structure, visibility and control to the journey.
As the first full‑time finance hire, you'll work directly with the founders to shape the future of the finance function. There is already an experienced contractor supporting the business, so a handover period is in place, but this role does require someone comfortable rolling their sleeves up and taking ownership of the day‑to‑day finance operation in the short term. If you enjoy autonomy, variety and the chance to genuinely influence a growing business, this could be the role that accelerates your career.
What's in it for you?
- The opportunity to build and shape a finance function from the ground up
- Direct exposure to entrepreneurial founders and strategic decision making
- Genuine autonomy and influence within a fast‑growing business
- Broad commercial exposure across projects, operations and manufacturing
- Future progression potential as the company continues to scale
- Bonus potential linked to contribution and performance
The role
Responsibilities will include:
- Monthly management accounts, budgeting and forecasting
- Cashflow management and financial planning
- Project accounting and commercial analysis
- Managing invoicing, payables, receivables and reconciliations
- Improving systems, controls and reporting processes
- Supporting operational and strategic decision making
- Working closely with external accountants and advisors
- Taking ownership of bookkeeping and transactional finance activities in the short term
What they're looking for
- Experience within a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or senior management accounting role
- Strong commercial awareness and cashflow management experience
- Someone comfortable balancing strategic finance responsibilities with hands‑on finance tasks
- Confidence operating independently within a fast‑paced environment
- Experience producing meaningful management information and insight
- A proactive mindset with the ability to spot problems before they happen
- Ideally experience within project‑led, engineering, manufacturing or industrial environments
Fully qualified accountants are encouraged to apply, although strong qualified‑by‑experience candidates will also be considered. This is a fully office‑based role in Middlesbrough.
Growth‑Stage Financial Controller: Shape the Finance employer: Paul Card Recruitment
Join a dynamic and rapidly growing North East business where you can truly make an impact as the first full-time Financial Controller. With a culture that values autonomy and innovation, you'll have the unique opportunity to shape the finance function from the ground up while working closely with entrepreneurial founders. Enjoy a supportive environment that fosters professional growth, offers broad commercial exposure, and rewards your contributions with performance-linked bonuses.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Growth‑Stage Financial Controller: Shape the Finance
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend finance meetups, and connect with potential colleagues on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its founders. Understand their vision and how your skills can help shape the finance function. Tailor your answers to show how you can bring structure and control to their growth journey.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your hands-on experience! Be ready to discuss specific examples of how you've managed cashflow, improved systems, or supported strategic decisions in previous roles. This will demonstrate your ability to roll up your sleeves and take ownership.
✨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 and want to be part of our growing community.
We think you need these skills to ace Growth‑Stage Financial Controller: Shape the Finance
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Passion for Growth:When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for helping a business grow shine through. We want to see how you can contribute to shaping the finance function and support the company's journey from start-up to multi-million-pound success.
Highlight Relevant Experience:Make sure to showcase your experience in financial management roles, especially if you've worked in project-led or industrial environments. We’re looking for someone who can balance strategic responsibilities with hands-on tasks, so give us examples that demonstrate this.
Be Authentic and Personal:Don’t be afraid to let your personality come through in your application. We appreciate authenticity, so share your unique perspective on finance and how you can bring value to our team. Remember, we’re looking for someone who enjoys autonomy and can influence a growing business.
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 don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paul Card Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
Before the interview, brush up on key financial metrics and concepts relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss your experience with monthly management accounts, budgeting, and cashflow management. This shows you’re not just a numbers person but someone who understands how finance drives business growth.
✨Showcase Your Strategic Mindset
Prepare examples of how you've contributed to strategic decision-making in previous roles. Highlight instances where your financial insights influenced project outcomes or operational improvements. This will demonstrate that you can balance hands-on tasks with a broader strategic vision.
✨Emphasise Your Autonomy
Since this role offers genuine autonomy, be ready to share experiences where you took ownership of finance operations. Discuss how you managed day-to-day tasks while also implementing improvements. This will reassure them that you can thrive in a fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare thoughtful questions about the company's growth plans and how the finance function will evolve. Inquire about the challenges they face in scaling and how you can contribute. This shows your genuine interest in shaping the finance function and your proactive mindset.
