Harper May is working with a founder-led restaurant group operating across London with 12 sites and steady pipeline for expansion. The business is backed by experienced hospitality operators and has invested significantly in systems and team over the past two years. Recent site openings and menu-led growth mean financial reporting and cost visibility have become critical levers. The group is now strengthening its finance function and seeking a Financial Controller to build robust controls and bring clarity to unit economics across the estate.

The Role
Reporting to the Finance Director, you will own the financial close, statutory reporting, and compliance for the group. You will also work directly with general managers and the operations team to translate numbers into site-level insight-helping them understand what's driving profitability and where to focus attention. The role sits at the intersection of technical rigour and commercial partnership.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead monthly and year-end close cycles; produce accurate management accounts and statutory returns
• Design and embed financial controls and reconciliation processes across the estate
• Manage external audit relationships and ensure compliance with accounting standards
• Build and own cash flow forecasting and working capital management
• Work with operations teams on labour analysis, food cost tracking, and site-level P&L performance
• Oversee balance sheet health and recommend improvements to finance systems and reporting
• Support annual budgeting and quarterly reforecasting cycles

What we are looking for

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified (or equivalent experience and demonstrable technical accounting knowledge)
• Proven experience as a controller or senior accountant in hospitality, retail, or other multi-site service businesses
• Comfortable with P&L ownership and confident explaining financial performance to non-finance leaders
• Strong Excel skills and experience with accounting systems (Xero, Sage, or similar preferred)
• Methodical approach to controls and process improvement, but pragmatic about implementation in a growing business