Financial Controller

Financial ControllerPE-Backed Specialist Contracting Group

Location: London | Hybrid (3 days in the office, 2 days from home)Package: Up to £90,000 + Bonus and Comprehensive BenefitsNirvana Search is exclusively partnering with a highly successful, Private Equity-backed Specialist Contracting and Building Services group to recruit a commercially astute and technically robust Financial Controller.Operating in a fast-paced, contract-led environment, the business is executing an aggressive buy-and-build strategy and undergoing a period of rapid acquisitive and organic growth.The OpportunityReporting directly to the Finance Director, this is a fantastic opportunity for an impactful finance leader to take full ownership of the day-to-day finance function while adding significant strategic value to a highly acquisitive business.You will be joining a dynamic PE-backed environment where you will not only ensure rigorous financial control but also partner closely with the Executive team to integrate newly acquired businesses, drive contract profitability, and build a highly scalable finance function.This role is perfect for a senior finance professional with a strong background in project-driven environments, looking to take a pivotal leadership role in a buy-and-build growth story.You will be responsible for:Project & Inventory Accounting: Take ultimate ownership of project accounting controls.

Drive deep-dive analysis into contract profitability, ensuring robust inventory accounting, accurate stock valuations, and strict margin protection across all active sites.Working Capital & WIP Management: Direct rigorous cash flow forecasting and working capital management. Maintain exceptionally tight controls over WIP (Work in Progress), milestone billing, applications for payment, and credit control across the enlarged group.M&A & Post-Merger Integration: Play a critical role in the financial onboarding of newly acquired entities. Lead the alignment of reporting, systems, and controls, and support the wider executive team with financial due diligence.Financial Leadership & Reporting: Lead the end-to-end month-end close process and oversee the finance team, producing accurate, timely management accounts and comprehensive board packs with detailed variance analysis.Process Optimisation & Scalability: Spearhead continuous improvements across financial systems and workflows to drive efficiency, automate inventory/WIP tracking, and ensure the finance function can seamlessly scale with ongoing M&A activity.Audit & Statutory Compliance: Act as the primary lead for external auditors, managing the year-end audit process, statutory reporting, and ensuring full tax, regulatory, and CIS compliance for all group entities.Knowledge and ExperienceWe are looking for a highly driven candidate who is ready to accelerate their career and step into a leadership position within a fast-paced, high-volume service environment.Qualified Accountant: (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is essential.Industry Experience (Crucial): 5+ years post-qualification experience specifically within Construction, Building Services, Specialist Contracting, Hard FM, or a similar project-led environment.Technical Accounting: Deep, proven expertise in project accounting, WIP valuations, and inventory accounting is absolutely essential for this role.M&A & PE Exposure: Prior experience within a highly acquisitive or Private Equity-backed environment is a distinct advantage.Systems Savvy: Advanced Excel skills and a proven track record of upgrading and harmonising financial systems (ERP/Project management software) across multiple entities.Personal Skills & AttributesHands-on & Agile: A true "player-manager" who is willing to get into the detail of project margins while maintaining a strategic view of the broader group.Highly Organised: Exceptional attention to detail with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and deadlines during periods of intensive M&A activity.Strong Communicator: Confident in challenging the status quo, presenting financial narratives to the board, and building relationships with operational project managers and commercial teams.Resilient: Thrives under the pressure of a rapidly growing, target-driven business.If you are a driven finance leader looking to make your mark in a PE-backed buy-and-build growth story, apply to Nirvana Search today to arrange a confidential chat.