Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK finance function and oversee financial control across multiple business units.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing, private equity-backed engineering services firm.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, career growth opportunities, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Be a key player in driving financial discipline and supporting exciting acquisitions.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in multi-entity finance environments.
- Other info: Work from South East London or Bristol and make a real impact.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Financial Controller – PE backed Engineering Services
About the Role
Our client is a private equity-backed business in rapid growth mode, currently on an active acquisition trail and having recently completed two acquisitions in the UK. With plans to double UK revenue within the next year, this is a pivotal time to join the organisation. The successful candidate can be based in their office in South East London or Bristol. Reporting directly to the Group CFO, the UK Financial Controller will lead the UK finance function, ensuring robust financial control, compliance, and operational efficiency across multiple business units. You will oversee finance teams, drive integration projects, and implement consistent processes and reporting standards as the business continues to scale. We are seeking a commercially minded finance leader with proven experience in a multi-entity or group structure, strong business integration expertise, and a track record of driving operational improvements. Your leadership will be instrumental in maintaining financial discipline, delivering accurate reporting and variance analysis, and supporting the seamless integration of new acquisitions while embedding best practices across the organisation.
Note: Strong emphasis on acquisition integration, control environments, and scalable processes.
Key Responsibilities
- Oversee the month-end close process, management reporting, payroll, and statutory accounts for all UK entities.
- Ensure timely compliance with statutory, tax, and audit requirements.
- Develop and manage local finance teams, focusing on training and consistency.
- Support working capital and cash flow management, including credit control and supplier terms.
- Collaborate with the Finance Manager to prepare budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis.
- Drive finance process improvements and optimisations across UK entities.
- Lead the financial integration of new acquisitions, including due diligence and onboarding.
- Interface with auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies within the UK.
- Implement WHS \’gold standard\’ finance processes across all business units.
Requirements
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience.
- Proven experience as a Financial Controller in a multi-entity or group environment.
- Knowledge in business integrations, system migrations, and process standardisation.
- Strong understanding of UK GAAP and IFRS.
- Familiarity with ERP systems, preferably Microsoft Business Central.
- Demonstrated leadership skills with experience in team management and development.
- Strong commercial acumen, with an aptitude for partnering with operational leadership.
Seniorities and employment
- Seniority level: Mid-Senior level
- Employment type: Full-time
Job function and industry
- Job function: Accounting/Auditing, Finance, and Management
- Industries: Engineering Services and Manufacturing
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Financial Controller - PE backed Engineering Services employer: Phoenix Search
Contact Detail:
Phoenix Search Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller - PE backed Engineering Services
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance and engineering sectors. Attend industry events or webinars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s recent acquisitions and growth plans. Show them you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in their journey and how you can contribute to their financial success.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be ready to explain how your experience aligns with their needs, especially around financial control and integration projects. Tailor your examples to highlight your leadership skills and operational improvements.
✨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 that extra step to connect with us directly.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller - PE backed Engineering Services
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Financial Controller. Highlight your experience in multi-entity environments and any relevant integration projects you've led. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role, focusing on your leadership experience and commercial acumen. Let us know how you can drive operational improvements in our growing business.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, don’t just list responsibilities—show us what you’ve achieved! Use metrics where possible to demonstrate your impact, especially in financial control and compliance. We love numbers that tell a story!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Phoenix Search
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics relevant to the role, such as cash flow management and variance analysis. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully managed these in previous roles.
✨Showcase Your Integration Experience
Given the emphasis on acquisition integration, prepare specific examples of how you've led financial integrations in the past. Highlight your approach to due diligence and onboarding, and be ready to discuss any challenges you faced and how you overcame them.
✨Understand the Business Landscape
Research the company’s recent acquisitions and growth plans. Understanding their business model and the engineering services sector will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in their success.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
As this role involves managing finance teams, be prepared to discuss your leadership style. Share examples of how you've developed teams, driven process improvements, and maintained financial discipline in a multi-entity environment.