An opportunity has become available for a Financial Controller to take ownership of the finance function across a group of thriving SME businesses. With a collaborative working culture and a strong emphasis on employee engagement, this business offers the opportunity to work closely with the leadership and contribute to its continued development.

This position will suit someone who enjoys the breadth of working within an SME: remaining hands-on with the accounts while providing financial insight to support strategic decisions. You will also lead, nurture and develop two members of the finance team.

Job Title: Financial Controller

Location: Weybridge | Office based

Salary: £65,000–£100,000

Type: Permanent

Reference: 16194

This position is fully office based in Weybridge.

Financial Controller – Benefits

• 22 days’ holiday.
• Formal bonus scheme, alongside discretionary spot bonuses throughout the year.
• Regular pay reviews and appraisals.
• Auto-enrolment pension scheme.
• On-site car parking.

Financial Controller – About the role

You will have overall responsibility for the accounting functions, financial records and reporting across this multi-company organisation. Supported by an Accounts Assistant and a colleague responsible for management accounts and payroll, you will ensure the finance function operates accurately and efficiently.

Working closely with the leadership team, you will provide clear reporting on financial performance, maintain effective controls and develop processes and systems to support the organisation’s expansion. Your responsibilities will include:

• Leading month-end and preparing monthly management accounts, sales reports and additional analysis for the Board.
• Producing financial forecasts and interpreting results to support business planning and decision-making.
• Preparing year-end figures and liaising with external accountants, auditors and HMRC as required.
• Overseeing multi-currency nominal ledgers, journal postings, bank reconciliations and control account reconciliations.
• Managing VAT returns and administering deferred VAT and import duty accounts.
• Coordinating the preparation of R&D tax claims.
• Overseeing purchase ledger, sales ledger and credit control activities, ensuring timely payments and effective debt collection.
• Ensuring accounting and payroll records are accurately maintained.
• Calculating and reviewing quarterly bonus and commission figures for Director approval.
• Overseeing the fixed asset register, depreciation and associated reconciliations.
• Working with other departments to ensure information from the ERP modules feeds accurately into the nominal ledger.
• Developing the finance team and improving accounting processes, systems and reporting.

Financial Controller – About you

You will be a qualified accountant or qualified by experience, with manufacturing sector experience and a track record of managing a finance function and a small team. You will enjoy taking ownership, be comfortable working through the detail and have the confidence to explain financial performance clearly to the Board. You will bring:

• Strong experience of management accounts, financial reporting and financial controls.
• A practical, hands-on approach to running a finance department.
• The ability to support and develop colleagues while managing competing deadlines.
• Strong accounting systems knowledge and confidence using Microsoft Excel.
• Experience of improving processes and adapting a finance function to meet changing business needs.
• Experience of working within manufacturing
• Knowledge of R&D Tax Claims
• Minimum of 10 years’ experience of working within a finance team

Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we currently receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.

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