Financial Controller
- Compensation
- Not disclosed
- Location
- Stafford, England, United Kingdom
- Work setup
- Not specified
- Seniority
- Not specified
- Employment
- Not specified
- Experience
- Not specified
- Category
- Finance
- Posted
Skills
Must have
- You will be a dependable, commercially aware finance professional who combines excellent attention to detail with the confidence to lead a small finance function. You will be comfortable working indep
- Essential Skills & Experience
- • ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, or qualified by experience with a demonstrable record of operating successfully at Financial Controller level.
- • Proven experience in a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or similar role with ownership of the month-end close, complete management accounts and balance sheet reconciliations.
- • Demonstrable experience leading annual budgets, rolling financial forecasts and short- and longer-term cash flow planning.
- • Experience analysing service, project or customer profitability and translating findings into practical business improvements.
- • Proven ability to implement financial controls, lead year-end preparation and manage relationships with external accountants.
- • Strong hands-on Xero and Microsoft Excel skills, with sound knowledge of accounting principles, VAT, revenue accounting and financial reporting.
- • Experience overseeing ledgers, invoicing, payments, aged debt and credit control, including proactive action to improve cash collection.
- • Previous experience supervising, managing or mentoring finance staff, with the ability to delegate effectively and review work accurately.
- • Strong organisational skills, attention to detail and the ability to meet competing deadlines. Clear communication and the confidence to challenge assumptions and influence non- finance managers.
Full description
**Take Ownership. Lead. Make an Impact.
**Karntek is looking for a proactive, organised and commercially minded Financial Controller to lead its finance function and support the continued growth of its fire safety consultancy business. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, you will take ownership of accurate financial reporting, robust financial controls, cash management, budgeting and forecasting. You will provide clear commercial insight, challenge financial performance and support informed business decisions. This is a hands-on role combining management and development of the Accounts Assistant with responsibility for day-to-day finance operations, monthly management accounts, financial planning and continuous improvement. You will have the autonomy to improve processes and systems within agreed authority limits.
ResponsibilitiesManagement Accounts and Financial Reporting
- Own the month-end close, including journals, accruals, prepayments and balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring accurate and complete financial records in Xero.
- Prepare monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet, cash flow reporting and supporting schedules, within agreed deadlines.
- Provide clear commentary on performance against budget and forecast, explaining significant variances, financial risks and recommended actions to the Managing Director and management team.
Budgeting Forecasting and Cash Management
- Lead the annual budgeting process and maintain rolling financial forecasts, working with departmental managers to challenge assumptions, monitor expenditure and support delivery of the business plan.
- Prepare and maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast and longer-term cash projections, identifying potential funding gaps and recommending timely action to manage working capital and meet financial commitments.
Commercial Performance and Decision Support
- Analyse profitability by service, project and customer, working with operational managers to assess surveyor utilisation, subcontractor costs, pricing and margin performance. Recommend practical actions to improve profitability.
- Provide proactive financial advice to the Managing Director and management team, challenging expenditure and performance assumptions and supporting decisions on pricing, recruitment, investment and business growth.
Financial Operations and Revenue Accounting
- Take overall responsibility for day-to-day finance operations, overseeing purchase and sales ledgers, invoicing, supplier payments, expenses and accounts receivable.
- Ensure bank, credit card, supplier and other financial account reconciliations are completed accurately and on time.