Financial Controller in Preston

# Financial ControllerAccounting / Finance,Financial ControllerOctober 15, 2026Permanent### Job Description* Permanent* Preston* Posted 10 hours ago* £55,000 – £60,000 per annum + car allowanceWebsite**CV-Library**Axon Moore are partnering with an established SME based in Preston to recruit a Financial Controller.Ideally looking for an ACA or ACCA qualified individual with some post-qualification experience who is looking for a hands-on role where you can have genuine influence beyond the finance function, under the mentorship of a fantastic Finance Director.The business is entering an exciting period of change and development, with continued investment in technology, customer experience and new product initiatives. They’re looking for a commercially minded finance professional who is solutions-focused, curious and confident in challenging the status quo to drive meaningful improvements across the business.In addition, there is a clear succession plan on offer, with the opportunity to develop into a Finance Director position within three years.### Key Responsibilities* Produce accurate monthly and ad hoc management information reports, while overseeing the month-end close process.* Lead and manage the Finance Team, providing guidance, support, and performance oversight.* Take overall accountability for the delivery and accuracy of accounting and financial reporting activities.* Prepare and submit quarterly VAT returns, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and deadlines.* Oversee and manage quarterly stocktake procedures, ensuring accurate inventory reporting and reconciliation.* Manage payroll accounting, including EPS and PAYE reconciliations. Knowledge of Sage 50 Payroll is desirable.* Lead and coordinate the annual statutory audit process, acting as the key point of contact for external auditors.* Conduct margin analysis and reporting, providing insightful commercial commentary to support business decision-making.* Monitor the relevance, integrity, and accuracy of financial information across key systems, including Oracle, Sage 200, and Sage Payroll.* Manage the monthly and year-end General Ledger close process, ensuring the accuracy and completeness of financial data. Maintain ownership of reconciliations between the annual accounts and audited financial statements.* Support and drive the annual budgeting and forecasting processes, constructively challenging key stakeholders on assumptions, business cases, and return on investment (ROI).* Review and oversee Balance Sheet reconciliations, ensuring balances are accurate, complete, and appropriately supported.* Ensure adherence to financial policies, procedures, and internal controls across the business.* Drive the development and enhancement of IT and financial systems infrastructure to improve reporting capabilities, efficiency, and data accuracy.* Develop a strong working relationship with, and provide proactive support to, the Finance Director.Our local Lancashire Axon Moore team recruit all accounting and finance roles from CFO to transactional finance on both a temporary and permanent basis. For more information about this role or our wider team, please contact Kat Goulding on (url removed) or on (phone number removed). INDFIN #J-18808-Ljbffr