Group Financial Controller in England

Overview

Group Financial Controller – Maternity Cover

Location: Rugby (Office Based)

Salary: GBP55,000 – GBP75,000 DOE

Contract: Temporary, Full–Time (Maternity Cover – 9–12 months)

Reporting to: Group Finance Director

The Opportunity

Our client, a well–established and growing multi–entity manufacturing/engineering group, is recruiting for an experienced Group Financial Controller to join the business on a maternity cover basis. This is a high–profile role offering significant autonomy and exposure at senior level. The successful candidate will work closely with the Group Finance Director, playing a critical role in financial control, reporting, cash management, and decision support across the group. This position will suit a hands–on, commercially focused finance professional who enjoys operating in an owner–managed environment and making a tangible impact through strong financial leadership and process improvement.

The Role

The Group Financial Controller will lead the group's financial control, reporting, and consolidation activities, ensuring timely and accurate financial information supports operational and strategic decision–making.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Reporting & Month–End Close

• Prepare consolidated monthly management accounts with insightful commentary and dashboards
• Lead the group month–end close across all subsidiaries

• Maintain and enhance group financial controls, policies, and procedures
• Oversee intercompany reconciliations, eliminations, and recharges
• Support tax, VAT, and regulatory filings alongside external advisors
• Act as the key finance liaison with site management to ensure timely and accurate data flow
• Authorise invoices and credit card expenditure
• Manage cash planning and lead the Group's Invoice Discounting facility
• Oversee payroll processing and review
• Provide oversight of credit control and supplier management

• Support the Group Finance Director with the implementation of a new accounts package
• Drive improvements in reporting automation and streamlined close processes

• Provide pragmatic, commercially focused financial insight
• Act as the finance "go–to" for senior leadership on accounting, reporting, and commercial queries
• Support fast–paced decision–making with robust financial analysis

• Line manage and develop finance apprentices where applicable
• Support apprenticeship compliance
• Build capability and collaboration within the finance function

• Work closely with the Group Finance Director on forecasting, budgeting, and strategic initiatives
• Provide insight into margins, cashflow, working capital, and overall business performance

Person Specification

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Strong post–qualification experience in group reporting and consolidation
• Experience working within multi–entity groups and intercompany accounting
• Background in manufacturing or engineering
• Strong technical accounting and financial control expertise
• Proven track record of improving finance processes and reporting
• Comfortable in a hands–on role, supporting day–to–day accounting and month–end close
• Able to work effectively to tight deadlines in a fast–paced environment
• Strong IT and systems skills

Desirable

• Experience in owner–managed or privately owned businesses
• Exposure to finance system implementations or automation projects

Personal Attributes

• Positive, proactive, can–do approach
• Strong team player with the ability to work independently
• Confident communicator at all levels
• Keen to support and develop junior team members

Why Apply?

Our client offers a genuinely engaging and influential role, ideal for a Financial Controller seeking a senior–level position with real responsibility and visibility. This maternity cover provides the opportunity to make a lasting impact while working closely with an experienced Group Finance Director in a dynamic, growing business. If you're looking for a commercially focused, hands–on leadership role with immediate impact, this opportunity should not be missed.