At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance function and drive commercial decisions in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
- Company: Established manufacturing business in Wickford, Essex with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private healthcare, and employee discounts.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and to shape the financial direction of the group.
- Why this job: Take ownership of finance and influence key business decisions at a senior level.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong manufacturing finance experience and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 65000 - 70000 £ per year.
Our client is a well-established manufacturing business based in Wickford, Essex. They are looking for an experienced Financial Controller to join their team. As Financial Controller you will take full ownership of the finance function, a £20-25m group operating across 3 entities, manufacturing, projects and compliance services. Reporting directly to the Managing Director and sitting on the Senior Leadership Team, this is the most senior finance role in the business. You'll have real influence over commercial decisions, while remaining close to the detail and delivering the numbers yourself. This is not a purely supervisory role. You'll lead a team of four across the UK and Philippines, but you'll also be hands-on with month-end, reporting, stock, costing, cash flow and commercial analysis.
What You'll Do
- Own financial control, management accounts, budgeting and forecasting across three entities
- Lead the year-end and statutory reporting process, including the external audit
- Own the balance sheet, cash flow, banking, working capital and treasury
- Oversee stock valuation, standard costing, margin analysis and inventory provisioning
- Partner with Procurement and Operations to improve stock, pricing and profitability
- Provide commercial insight and challenge to the MD and SLT, including investment and pricing decisions
- Produce and present board reporting and financial analysis
- Manage tax, VAT, statutory compliance and external adviser relationships
- Lead improvements to finance systems, automation, reporting and AI adoption
- Develop and manage a small, partly offshore finance team
Requirements
About you
- You'll be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with senior finance experience in an SME
- Strong manufacturing finance experience, particularly stock, standard costing and margin analysis
- Ownership of year-end, statutory accounts and external audit
- Experience managing and developing a remote/offshore finance team
- Strong commercial and analytical skills, with the confidence to challenge senior stakeholders
- Experience with multi-currency environments and FX
- A track record of improving processes, systems or automation
- The ability to balance strategic thinking with a willingness to get into the detail
Why join?
This is an opportunity to own the finance function rather than operate within one. You'll report directly to the MD, have a seat at the senior leadership table and play a key role in shaping the financial and commercial direction of the group.
Benefits
- Salary- £65,000- £70,000 basic plus profit related bonus
- 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day for each year's service up to a maximum of 28 days
- Option to buy up to 3 additional holidays
- Breakfast and lunch ingredients provided
- Fresh fruit delivered weekly
- One paid volunteer day per year
- Private Healthcare (following successful completion of probation)
- £10 gift voucher on your birthday
- Free 24 hour employee assistance programme
- Staff discount
Financial Controller in Wickford employer: UBT
Join a dynamic and ambitious retail business as the Interim Head of Sales, where you'll have the opportunity to lead a high-performing sales team and shape the commercial direction during a transformative period. With a strong focus on employee growth, the company fosters a collaborative culture that values accountability and results, while offering flexible hybrid working arrangements to support work-life balance. Enjoy competitive benefits including a car allowance and generous holiday entitlement, making this an excellent employer for those looking to make a meaningful impact in the retail sector.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Wickford
✨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 UBT. 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 Wickford
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 UBT.
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 UBT'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 UBT
✨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 UBT.
✨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 UBT 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 UBT 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.
