At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function and drive financial performance in a stunning location.
- Company: Industry-leading employer in the beautiful Scottish Highlands.
- Benefits: Generous relocation package, competitive salary, and excellent work-life balance.
- Other info: Enjoy outdoor adventures and a supportive community while advancing your career.
- Why this job: Combine a rewarding career with an enviable lifestyle in the UK's Outdoor Capital.
- Qualifications: Experience as a Financial Controller and strong leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
An outstanding career opportunity with an industry-leading employer. Our client is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to join their senior leadership team at their Lochaber operation in the Scottish Highlands. This is a fantastic opportunity for an ambitious finance professional looking to combine a rewarding leadership role with an exceptional quality of life.
Reporting to the Commercial Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving financial performance, leading the finance function and supporting strategic decision-making across the business.
Why Relocate to Fort William? This opportunity is about much more than your next career move—it's about your next lifestyle. Located in the heart of the Scottish Highlands, Fort William offers a unique balance of professional opportunity and personal wellbeing. Renowned as the UK's Outdoor Capital, it's a place where stunning landscapes, a welcoming community and a slower pace of life combine to create an enviable place to live. Whether you're looking to escape the daily commute, spend more time outdoors or raise a family in a beautiful part of the country, Fort William offers an outstanding quality of life.
From hiking Ben Nevis and exploring Glencoe to enjoying weekends around Loch Ness or the spectacular West Coast, the Highlands provide endless opportunities to enjoy your time outside work. Despite its incredible natural surroundings, Fort William remains well connected, with straightforward road and rail links to Glasgow and Edinburgh, making business travel, weekends away and visiting family and friends both practical and convenient.
To support your move, our client has invested in an exceptional relocation package designed to make relocating to the Highlands as easy as possible.
- Relocation assistance of up to £8,000
- Sign-on bonus equivalent to one month's salary (less Tax and National Insurance)
- Three months' rent paid to help you settle into your new home
The Role: As Financial Controller, you'll be responsible for leading the finance function for the Lochaber operation, ensuring robust financial control while delivering insightful reporting that supports commercial and operational decision‑making. You’ll work closely with senior leaders across the business and lead an established transactional finance team, driving continuous improvement and developing systems and processes that add real commercial value.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and develop the transactional finance team.
- Produce monthly management accounts in line with Group reporting requirements.
- Deliver quarterly reporting for senior stakeholders.
- Lead the budgeting and forecasting process.
- Manage daily cash requirements and prepare weekly cash flow forecasts.
- Prepare statutory accounts and act as the primary contact for external auditors.
- Maintain the integrity and continuous improvement of financial systems and controls.
- Develop meaningful management reporting to support business performance.
- Partner with operational and commercial leaders, providing financial insight and strategic support.
- Identify opportunities to improve processes, systems and reporting.
- Promote a positive Health, Safety, Environment and Quality culture throughout the business.
Benefits & Rewards: Our client recognises the importance of rewarding and supporting their employees and offers an excellent benefits package including:
- 25 days annual leave plus 8 public holidays
- Option to buy or sell up to 5 days annual leave
- Annual bonus scheme (15% of base salary with the opportunity to earn up to twice the STIP target)
- Company pension with employer contributions of up to 9%
- AVIVA Life Assurance (six times annual salary)
- Choice of BHSF Cash Health Care Plan or AVIVA Private Medical Insurance, plus Dental Scheme
- On‑site gym and employee wellbeing initiatives
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Education Support Grant of £1,000 per year for each child attending university
- Cycle to Work Scheme
- Employee Reward & Recognition Programme
- Extensive employee discounts and cashback across major retailers, travel, leisure and local Highland businesses
Working Hours: Our client also places real value on work‑life balance, offering:
- Monday to Thursday: 7:30am – 4:00pm (or flexible start up to 8:30am with a 5:00pm finish)
- Friday: 7:30am – 12:30pm
If you're an experienced Financial Controller looking for a genuine career opportunity in one of the UK's most beautiful locations, we'd love to hear from you. This is a rare opportunity to secure a senior finance position while enjoying everything the Scottish Highlands has to offer.
Financial Controller employer: Paxton Personnel Ltd
Paxton Personnel Ltd is an excellent employer, offering a dynamic work environment where safety and quality are paramount. With a strong focus on employee growth and development, you will have the opportunity to lead impactful residential projects while enjoying a supportive culture that values teamwork and innovation. Located in a thriving area, our company provides unique advantages such as access to top-tier resources and a commitment to delivering exceptional customer experiences.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Paxton Personnel Ltd. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Paxton Personnel Ltd.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Paxton Personnel Ltd. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Paxton Personnel Ltd and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Paxton Personnel Ltd how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Paxton Personnel Ltd
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Paxton Personnel Ltd.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Paxton Personnel Ltd's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
