At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial management and reporting for UK and Irish businesses, ensuring compliance and strategic support.
- Company: Dynamic SME with a focus on innovation and collaboration.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, pension, private medical insurance, and professional development opportunities.
- Other info: Opportunity to drive improvements in financial systems and processes in a fast-paced environment.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working closely with senior management and international teams.
- Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with 5+ years in a senior finance role and strong analytical skills.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Reporting to: Managing Director (UK)
Location: UK
Pension and benefits package, including private medical insurance
About the Role
Our client is seeking a Financial Controller to lead financial management, control, reporting and compliance across their UK and Irish businesses. This is the lead finance role within the UK and Irish operations, providing accurate financial information, commercial insight and strategic support to the Managing Director, while ensuring alignment with Group policies and reporting requirements.
A key part of the role is maintaining strong working relationships with the Group Finance function overseas, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, compliance with Group procedures, and effective communication between the UK/Irish businesses and Head Office.
Key Working Relationships
- Managing Director, UK
- Senior Management Team and Head Office Finance Team
- External Auditors, Banks and Financial Institutions, HMRC and other regulatory bodies, Customers and Suppliers
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Management & Reporting: Prepare monthly management accounts and analysis, ensure timely and accurate month-end/year-end close, produce financial reports, KPIs and forecasts, maintain general ledger integrity, deliver balance sheet reconciliations and robust controls, and coordinate annual statutory accounts and audits.
- Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process, prepare rolling forecasts and cash flow projections, monitor performance against budget, and provide actionable financial analysis to support business decisions.
- Business Partnering: Support the MD and management team with financial insight, analyse profitability by customer, product range and distribution channel, challenge costs, identify efficiencies, and evaluate business cases and investment proposals.
- Group Reporting & Head Office Liaison: Act as primary finance contact with Group Finance, prepare and submit monthly Group reporting packs within agreed deadlines, ensure compliance with Group accounting policies, support consolidation requests/ad hoc analysis, and participate in regular Head Office finance reviews.
- Cash Flow & Working Capital Management: Manage cash flow and liquidity requirements, monitor debtor and creditor performance, optimise working capital and inventory management, and oversee banking relationships and treasury activities.
- Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, tax regulations and statutory requirements (including VAT, Corporation Tax and PAYE), maintain a strong internal control environment, and support risk management and business continuity planning.
- Systems & Process Improvement: Drive improvements in financial systems and reporting processes, support ERP and business system developments, enhance reporting automation and data quality, and leverage AI technologies to automate routine finance activities and support scalable business growth.
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
- Timeliness and accuracy of monthly reporting, and compliance with Group reporting deadlines
- Cash flow management, working capital performance, audit outcomes and control effectiveness
- Quality of financial support provided to business management, and finance process efficiency/continuous improvement achievements
Person Specification
- Essential Qualifications: Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong technical accounting knowledge
- Minimum 5 years' experience in a senior finance role within an SME environment
- Experience in sales, distribution, wholesale or supply chain businesses, with monthly management reporting and budgeting experience
- Experience working with international parent companies or multinational organisations, and proven experience managing audits and statutory compliance
- Strong financial and commercial acumen, with excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
- Advanced Excel and financial systems capability, with strong communication and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to operate both strategically and hands-on, with effective relationship-building across cultures/geographies and strong organisational/project management abilities
- Experience reporting to a Nordic or European parent company, and experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Business Central, IFS or similar
- Exposure to inventory-based businesses, and knowledge of transfer pricing and intercompany accounting
Personal Attributes
- High integrity and professionalism, commercially minded with strong business awareness
- Proactive and self-motivated, detail-oriented while maintaining a strategic perspective
- Comfortable working in a dynamic SME environment, collaborative and capable of influencing at all levels, with strong cross-cultural communication skills
Success in Role
Within the first 12 months, the Financial Controller will:
- Establish a trusted partnership with the UK MD, UK and Ireland Management team and Group Finance team, delivering accurate and timely monthly reporting
- Improve financial visibility and commercial analysis, strengthen financial controls and compliance, and identify opportunities to improve profitability, cash flow and operational performance
Financial Controller in Bury employer: Prestige Talent Partners
Join a dynamic and supportive team as a Part Time Receptionist in our business centre, where we prioritise high-quality client service and foster a collaborative work culture. With opportunities for professional growth and development, you will play a vital role in ensuring smooth operations while enjoying a flexible schedule that promotes work-life balance. Our commitment to employee well-being and a positive environment makes us an excellent employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Bury
✨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 Prestige Talent Partners. 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 Bury
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 Prestige Talent Partners.
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 Prestige Talent Partners'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 Prestige Talent Partners
✨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 Prestige Talent Partners.
✨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 Prestige Talent Partners 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 Prestige Talent Partners 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.
