Financial Controller

Financial ControllerReporting to: Managing Director (UK) Location: UK£65,000 - £75,000 plus performance bonusPension and benefits package, including private medical insuranceAbout the RoleOur client is seeking a Financial Controller to lead financial management, control, reporting and compliance across their UK and Irish businesses. This is the lead finance role within the UK and Irish operations, providing accurate financial information, commercial insight and strategic support to the Managing Director, while ensuring alignment with Group policies and reporting requirements.A key part of the role is maintaining strong working relationships with the Group Finance function overseas, ensuring timely and accurate financial reporting, compliance with Group procedures, and effective communication between the UK/Irish businesses and Head Office.Key Working RelationshipsManaging Director, UK Senior Management Team and Head Office Finance TeamExternal Auditors, Banks and Financial Institutions, HMRC and other regulatory bodies, Customers and SuppliersKey ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management & Reporting: Prepare monthly management accounts and analysis, ensure timely and accurate month-end/year-end close, produce financial reports, KPIs and forecasts, maintain general ledger integrity, deliver balance sheet reconciliations and robust controls, and coordinate annual statutory accounts and audits.Budgeting & Forecasting: Lead the annual budgeting process, prepare rolling forecasts and cash flow projections, monitor performance against budget, and provide actionable financial analysis to support business decisions.Business Partnering: Support the MD and management team with financial insight, analyse profitability by customer, product range and distribution channel, challenge costs, identify efficiencies, and evaluate business cases and investment proposals.Group Reporting & Head Office Liaison: Act as primary finance contact with Group Finance, prepare and submit monthly Group reporting packs within agreed deadlines, ensure compliance with Group accounting policies, support consolidation requests/ad hoc analysis, and participate in regular Head Office finance reviews.Cash Flow & Working Capital Management: Manage cash flow and liquidity requirements, monitor debtor and creditor performance, optimise working capital and inventory management, and oversee banking relationships and treasury activities.Compliance & Governance: Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards, tax regulations and statutory requirements (including VAT, Corporation Tax and PAYE), maintain a strong internal control environment, and support risk management and business continuity planning.Systems & Process Improvement: Drive improvements in financial systems and reporting processes, support ERP and business system developments, enhance reporting automation and data quality, and leverage AI technologies to automate routine finance activities and support scalable business growth.Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)Timeliness and accuracy of monthly reporting, and compliance with Group reporting deadlinesCash flow management, working capital performance, audit outcomes and control effectivenessQuality of financial support provided to business management, and finance process efficiency/continuous improvement achievementsPerson SpecificationEssential QualificationsQualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong technical accounting knowledgeEssential ExperienceMinimum 5 years' experience in a senior finance role within an SME environmentExperience in sales, distribution, wholesale or supply chain businesses, with monthly management reporting and budgeting experienceExperience working with international parent companies or multinational organisations, and proven experience managing audits and statutory complianceEssential SkillsStrong financial and commercial acumen, with excellent analytical and problem-solving skillsAdvanced Excel and financial systems capability, with strong communication and stakeholder management skillsAbility to operate both strategically and hands-on, with effective relationship-building across cultures/geographies and strong organisational/project management abilitiesDesirable ExperienceExperience reporting to a Nordic or European parent company, and experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Business Central, IFS or similarExposure to inventory-based businesses, and knowledge of transfer pricing and intercompany accountingPersonal AttributesHigh integrity and professionalism, commercially minded with strong business awarenessProactive and self-motivated, detail-oriented while maintaining a strategic perspectiveComfortable working in a dynamic SME environment, collaborative and capable of influencing at all levels, with strong cross-cultural communication skillsSuccess in RoleWithin the first 12 months, the Financial Controller will:Establish a trusted partnership with the UK MD, UK and Ireland Management team and Group Finance team, delivering accurate and timely monthly reportingImprove financial visibility and commercial analysis, strengthen financial controls and compliance, and identify opportunities to improve profitability, cash flow and operational performance