Job Description
Financial Controller
St Albans - Hertfordshire
Circa 70,000 (Depending on experience) + Generous Bonus + Generous Pension + Healthcare
Life Assurance + 33 days holiday (including bank holidays) + Flexible Core Hours + Free Parking
Office based with flexible core hours to support work-life balance
An experienced finance professional is required to step into a broad and impactful leadership role, offering the opportunity to make a genuine difference within the business.
We are recruiting for a commercially astute hands-on Finance Controller to take full ownership of the finance function within a well-established, privately owned business based just outside St Albans. This is a pivotal position, effectively operating as the lead finance role within the organisation.
This opportunity offers the chance to become deeply embedded in a collaborative and respected business with a strong reputation in its field. You'll play a central role in shaping financial strategy, supporting decision-making at board level, and driving continuous improvement across processes and controls.
The Role:
This is a true end-to-end finance position combining strategic oversight with hands-on delivery. You will be responsible for leading and developing a small (3) finance team, while also remaining actively involved in the day-to-day financial operations.
One day you may be supporting month-end close, posting journals or reconciling accounts, the next, partnering with the Board on commercial decisions, working capital strategy, or audit preparation.
This position has arisen due to an internal move, reflecting the company's commitment to developing talent from within.
Key areas of responsibility include:
- Ownership of financial reporting, budgeting and forecasting
- Statutory accounts, compliance and audit management
- Cashflow, working capital and financial planning
- Oversight of payroll, payables, receivables and VAT
- Stock and cost control management
- Development and implementation of robust financial controls and processes
- Commercial business partnering with senior stakeholders
- Acting as a trusted advisor to the Board on financial performance and strategy
- Leading, mentoring and developing a small finance team (including appraisals and development plans)
While there is ample scope to shape and evolve the function over time, the immediate focus is on maintaining strong financial control, supporting the business with clear and reliable information, and building effective relationships across the organisation.
The role will also involve working closely with operational and commercial teams across the business, providing financial input to support day-to-day decision making as well as longer-term planning. You will have the opportunity to gradually enhance reporting, improve visibility of performance and introduce practical improvements to systems and processes where appropriate.
If you're looking for a role where you can take ownership of the day to day accounting, influence strategy, grow into a future Finance Director position while being part of a supportive and collaborative team, this could be the ideal next step.
The Environment:
The business employs around 100 people and has a strong culture of teamwork, collaboration and shared responsibility. Everyone contributes, supports one another and takes pride in what they do.
This role would suit someone who enjoys being part of that environment, someone who is willing to "wear many hats," contribute beyond their job title, and play an active role in shaping both the finance function and the wider business.
The Person:
We welcome applications from both experienced industry professionals and those looking to transition from practice into a broad, commercially focused finance role.
- Must be Fully qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
- Must have previous experience in a senior finance position, ideally within an SME environment
- Strong technical and commercial finance capability
- Confident communicator, comfortable working closely with senior leadership
- Hands-on approach with a willingness to get involved in all aspects of finance
- Proactive, organised and detail-oriented
- A collaborative mindset with a genuine interest in contributing to company culture
Location & Working Arrangements:
- Flexible core hours to support work-life balance (e.g. later start or earlier finish where needed)
- Office-based, 5 days per week (Occasional days at home)
- Located just outside St Albans - own transport required due to limited public transport links
- Free on-site parking available
Apply now to find out more.
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