Harper May is partnering with a well-established, privately-owned UK care operator based on the East London / Essex border. The group operates a portfolio of residential and nursing homes across the region, is owner-led and profitable, and has grown steadily over many years through a mix of strong operational performance and selective acquisition of individual homes. A Financial Controller is being appointed to take hands-on ownership of the finance function, partner closely with the owner-director on the numbers, and support the next phase of growth.

The Role
Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Financial Controller will own the finance function day to day across the group's homes and holding entities. The role is practical and hands-on, suited to a fully qualified accountant who is comfortable close to the detail, used to owner-managed environments, and ready to take real ownership of close, reporting, cash and controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close and consolidated management accounts across the group's homes and operating entities
• Prepare monthly P&L, balance sheet and cash flow reporting for the owner-director and senior management
• Own cash management, weekly cash flow and working capital across the group
• Oversee statutory reporting, the annual audit and tax compliance across the group entities
• Partner with home managers on budgets, cost control and performance by site
• Strengthen financial controls, policies and process across the finance function
• Manage the day-to-day finance team, including payroll, AP and AR
• Support the owner-director on ad-hoc commercial analysis, including home-level profitability and acquisition evaluation

What we are looking for

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Prior experience in a multi-site, operationally-led business is essential
• Experience in care, healthcare, hospitality, retail or another multi-location SME is strongly preferred
• Comfortable in an owner-managed, privately-owned environment
• Hands-on and practical, happy to own close, reporting and controls end to end
• Strong attention to detail alongside the ability to see the commercial picture
• Based within a comfortable commute of the East London / Essex border