Financial Controller in Andover

We're recruiting for a growing, ambitious SME based in Andover that operates within a genuinely interesting, project-led environment, delivering complex projects for customers across the UK and internationally. With the business continuing to grow, they're now looking to strengthen their finance team with the appointment of a Financial Controller. Reporting directly to the CFO, this isn't a role where you'll simply inherit a set of reports and spend your month producing numbers. They need someone who can take genuine ownership of the day-to-day finance function, understand what's happening across live projects and help improve the controls, processes and systems that sit behind a growing business. It's broad, hands-on and commercially involved and should appeal to someone who enjoys being close to the operation rather than sitting purely within finance.

What you'll be doing

• Preparing monthly management accounts and taking ownership of the trial balance
• Managing the month-end and year-end close
• Producing budgets, forecasts and meaningful variance analysis
• Managing project and contract accounting across multiple live projects
• Monitoring job costs and helping the business understand project performance
• Managing day-to-day banking relationships
• Taking responsibility for VAT and CIS compliance
• Supporting statutory accounts and the annual audit alongside external accountants and auditors
• Managing and developing an Accounts / AP Assistant
• Ensuring the purchase ledger operates accurately and efficiently
• Reviewing and strengthening financial controls, processes and procedures
• Supporting the implementation and development of a new finance/ERP system
• Working alongside operational and project teams to provide useful financial insight
• Partnering closely with the CFO as the business continues to develop

Who are we looking for?

We're open to both part-qualified and fully qualified ACCA, CIMA or ACA accountants. You could already be working as a Financial Controller or Finance Manager, or you may be a strong Management Accountant looking for the opportunity to step into a broader role with greater ownership. Experience within construction, engineering, contracting or another project-led environment would be particularly useful, as understanding project costs and contract accounting will form an important part of the position.

You'll also need:

• Strong hands-on management accounting experience
• Previous exposure to VAT and CIS
• Good technical accounting knowledge
• Confidence owning a month-end process
• Strong Excel skills
• Experience working with accounting or ERP systems
• The ability to manage and develop a junior member of the finance team
• A practical, proactive approach to improving processes
• Confidence communicating with people outside of finance

Just as importantly, this is an SME environment. You'll need to be comfortable getting involved, solving problems and taking ownership rather than operating within a heavily layered finance structure.

Why consider it?

There's a lot to like about this one | You'll report directly to an experienced CFO, have visibility across the wider business and join at a point where finance is evolving alongside the company's growth. There's also a new system being introduced, giving the successful person an opportunity to influence how finance operates rather than simply maintaining what's already there. For someone part-qualified, there's funded study support and a clear opportunity to continue developing. For someone already qualified, there's the breadth and exposure you'd expect from a genuine Financial Controller position within a growing SME.

What's on offer

• Salary: £55,000pa (c)
• Bonus: Discretionary annual bonus
• Healthcare: Private medical insurance
• Pension: Company pension scheme
• Holiday: 22 days + Bank Holidays, increasing by one day for each year of service
• Study Support: Funded exam fees and study leave for ACCA / CIMA / ACA
• Other Benefits: Cycle to Work scheme, discounted/free food and free on-site parking

The position is full-time and office-based in Andover | If you're an ambitious accountant who enjoys understanding the business behind the numbers and wants more ownership, exposure and influence than your current role gives you, we'd be keen to hear from you.