Financial Controller

Financial Controller / Head of FinanceACA/ACCA/CIMAHertford£65,000 - £75,0005 days in the officeA highly successful, family-run business that has grown from its roots into a thriving multi-disciplinary group who have expanded steadily to become a genuine industry leader across Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Bedfordshire. As part of that growth, they are looking for a strong, hands-on Financial Controller with a solid SME / owner-managed background to take ownership of the group's day-to-day financial control and reporting.The Role:Reporting to the CFO and Directors, the Financial Controller will take ownership of day-to-day financial control and reporting, working closely with the finance team. You will own month-end, management reporting, cash flow and budgeting across the group, and make sure controls and compliance are robust.This is a hands-on role for someone who is happy to roll their sleeves up and cares about detail. They are looking for someone tech-savvy who uses AI and modern tools to improve finance processes and reduce manual work.Key ResponsibilitiesOwn the month-end close, delivering accurate management accounts and board packs with clear commentary and KPIsManage group reporting across multiple entities, including intercompany and consolidationOwn cash flow forecasting and working capital, with regular updates to the CFO and DirectorsLead the annual budget and reforecasts, including margin and profitability analysis by division and projectOwn year-end, audit and tax liaison, and compliance including VAT, CIS and payroll sign-offLead strategic and ad hoc finance projects for the Directors, working across the group and with external advisers as requiredLiaise with external accountants and specialist advisers on tax reliefs and planning opportunities, including R&D tax relief, capital allowances and ECA where relevantCoordinate family and shareholder finance and tax matters with external accountants and tax advisers, maintaining discretion and a clear separation from group financesMaintain and strengthen financial controls, policies and balance sheet reconciliationsManage and develop the finance team, while staying hands-on yourselfLead process improvement across finance, using Xero, Excel, automation and AI tools to reduce manual work and speed up reportingEssentialFully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMAStrong, proven experience in SME or owner-managed businessesProven track record of management accounts, cash flow forecasting and budgetingExperience of managing or supervising others, with the drive to build and develop a teamHands-on, detail-oriented and comfortable doing the work as well as reviewing itDrive, energy and genuine passion to grow with the business and take on more over timeAdvanced Excel skills and confident with cloud accounting systems (ideally Xero)Clear communicator, able to explain the numbers to non-finance Directors and managersTech-savvy, with a track record of using AI and automation to improve finance processes (e.g. Copilot, ChatGPT, Claude etc)DesirableMulti-entity or group experienceExperience working with external advisers on tax relief claims, capital allowances or owner-managed and family business mattersExposure to construction / civil engineering (project costing, WIP, CIS), agriculture or propertyExperience improving processes and systems in a growing businessAble to give examples of finance processes you have automated or improved using technology