At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the UK finance function and produce insightful management accounts.
- Company: Established global manufacturing business with a hands-on culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and a clear path to Financial Director.
- Other info: Direct access to senior management and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and influence finance processes while advancing your career.
- Qualifications: ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified or strong experience in finance roles.
About the Business
An excellent opportunity to be a Financial Controller paying £60,000 – £70,000 for an established, globally backed manufacturing business based in West Bromwich, with hybrid working. Part of an international group with operations across more than 30 countries, the UK site combines a sales office with a fully operational warehouse, manufacturing facilities, and an in-house transport fleet. With a turnover of around £30m, this is a fantastic chance to take full ownership of the UK finance function and become a key partner to senior management. This role comes with the brilliant opportunity to progress to Financial Director, as the current position holder has plans to retire.
Main Duties:
- Taking complete ownership of the UK finance function and leading the day-to-day finance team
- Producing the monthly management accounts hands-on, covering P&L, balance sheet and cash flow with insightful commentary and variance analysis
- Delivering the annual statutory accounts under FRS 102 and acting as the lead point of contact through the year-end audit
- Submitting group reporting packs in line with parent company timetables, including IFRS consolidation requirements
- Owning the budgeting, forecasting and rolling cash flow cycles for the UK business
- Overseeing stock accounting, inventory valuation and margin analysis – a critical function in a stockholding environment
- Managing treasury matters, FX exposure and intercompany reconciliations across the wider group
- Maintaining a robust control environment, ensuring SOX-style internal controls and group policies are embedded across the business
- Handling VAT, corporation tax and other statutory submissions, supported by external advisors where appropriate
- Overseeing payroll, credit control and supplier ledger activity
- Business partnering with the UK Managing Director and commercial team, providing the financial insight behind pricing, customer profitability and strategic direction
- Leading continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and reporting
Location / Office / Culture
The role is based in West Bromwich with a hybrid working arrangement, easily accessible from Birmingham, Wolverhampton, Walsall, Dudley and the wider Black Country. You’ll be at the heart of a busy operational site that combines sales, warehousing and processing under one roof, with direct access to senior leadership and a genuinely hands-on culture where finance is visible and valued across the business.
What We Are Looking For
- ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified, or a strong Qualified by Experience candidate who has clearly operated at this level
- Demonstrable experience as a Financial Controller, or Finance Manager, ideally within stockholding, distribution, manufacturing or industrial SME environments
- Strong technical grounding in UK GAAP (FRS 102), with IFRS exposure a real advantage given the group reporting element
- A track record in stock-heavy environments and a good understanding of inventory accounting, margin discipline and the controls these settings demand
- Confidence working as part of an international group, comfortable with consolidation packs, intercompany matters and reporting to a non-UK parent
- Strong systems skills, advanced Excel and an appetite for improving processes rather than simply running them
- A pragmatic, solutions-focused mindset – able to dig into the detail but also step back and see the wider commercial picture
- Excellent communication skills, with the gravitas to engage senior stakeholders and the approachability to work alongside the wider operational team
Why Join the business
- Backing of an established global group with significant scale and stability
- Hands-on, varied position spanning technical accounting, commercial business partnering and operational involvement
- Direct exposure to senior management locally and at group level
- Genuine influence over systems, processes and the future shape of the finance function
- Hybrid working
- A baked in route to FD as the current FD plans to retire
- Training from current Finance Director
About Us
We are a local accountancy recruitment specialist. We appreciate that roles are often online for a long period of time. If you want to check if this role is still live or just want more details before applying, call us directly.
Financial Controller in West Bromwich employer: Transaction Recruitment
Contact Detail:
Transaction Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in West Bromwich
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know about opportunities at companies like the one you're eyeing. A personal recommendation can make all the difference.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company inside out. Understand their financial operations and be ready to discuss how your experience aligns with their needs. Show them you’re not just another candidate, but the perfect fit!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your pitch! Be clear about your achievements and how they relate to the role of Financial Controller. Confidence is key, so rehearse until you can present your story smoothly and convincingly.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, we’re here to support you every step of the way in landing that dream job.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in West Bromwich
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience with UK GAAP, stock accounting, and any relevant qualifications like ACA or ACCA. We want to see how your skills match what we're looking for!
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. Mention your experience in manufacturing or distribution and how you can add value to our finance function. Let us know why you’re excited about this opportunity!
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your past roles, focus on your achievements rather than just responsibilities. Did you improve processes or save costs? We love to see quantifiable results that demonstrate your impact in previous positions.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, it’s super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Transaction Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial reporting and analysis. Brush up on key metrics like P&L, balance sheets, and cash flow statements. Be ready to discuss how you've handled these in previous roles, especially in stock-heavy environments.
✨Showcase Your Systems Savvy
This role requires strong systems skills, particularly with Excel. Prepare to talk about specific tools or software you've used in the past to improve finance processes. If you have examples of how you've streamlined reporting or enhanced controls, make sure to highlight those.
✨Communicate with Confidence
You'll be engaging with senior stakeholders, so practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Think about how you can convey complex financial information in a way that's accessible to non-financial colleagues. Role-play potential scenarios with a friend to build your confidence.
✨Understand the Bigger Picture
While technical skills are crucial, this role also demands a pragmatic mindset. Be prepared to discuss how you've balanced detail-oriented tasks with broader strategic goals. Show that you can think critically about how finance impacts overall business performance and decision-making.