Financial Controller

This is a significant role, sitting within the leadership team and leading, managing and controlling all financial, accounting and reporting activities of the Group. Importantly the Head of Finance will provide essential support to the leadership and operational teams particularly in the areas of driving profitability and cash.

Objectives

To ensure that:

· company financial affairs are run efficiently and operate in line within current best practice, and comply with all regulatory, statutory and tax requirements

· the company's financial performance (particularly profitability and cash) are optimised by the use of effective and efficient management systems

· Prepare board packs to include key financial statements, forecasts and kpi

· Manage cashflow and future business forecasts as necessary

· Manage and develop the existing small finance team

· Overall responsibility of the payroll function

Key Tasks and Responsibilities

Strategic and commercial

· Full involvement in the development and execution of Business Strategy - planning, input of strategic thought (particularly from a finance perspective), delivery of company performance targets

· Support major business development initiatives, exploiting new opportunities with existing clients as well as developing clients new to the business

· Continuous review of business processes, driving efficiencies and delivering cost savings

· Ensure that the company benefits from all local, regional and European grant funding to which it is entitled

· In depth involvement in contract negotiations with bankers, clients and suppliers

Stewardship and control

· Develop, implement and manage such systems, procedures and controls necessary to ensure the integrity of accounting information and safe custody of all assets, particularly in areas identified as high risk or with the potential for fraud or theft

· Ensure adequate appraisal of all proposed capital expenditure plans

Financial management

· Provide timely, commercially focused management information and analysis which supports the leadership team in their decision making

· Assume immediate day to day responsibility for:

o financial systems and controls

o working capital, cash and debt management

o the completion and review of all VAT, Intrastat, PAYE and other statutory and EC returns

· Modernise the current month end procedures, and financial models to ensure management accounts are prepared and issued on a timely basis.

· Monitor business performance working closely with business unit managers as required

· Manage banking and external funder relationships and ensure compliance with all requirements.

· Maintain appropriate relationships with the external auditors, other external advisors and government agencies in order to meet all statutory obligations

Management reporting

· Prepare robust monthly management accounts; annual budgets; rolling cash-flow forecasts; and other ad hoc reports as agreed with the Managing Director and the board to established reporting deadlines

· Prepare detailed budgets and cash flows working closely with the leadership team and budget holders

· Provide an accurate, comprehensive monthly board pack and ad hoc financial information on a timely basis

· Prepare an annual accounts file for auditors and draft statutory accounts. Act as the first point of contact for the auditors, and communicate with them to ensure all questions can be and are answered efficiently

People

· Recruit, shape and develop an effective finance team, ensuring they are capable of providing relevant and timely management information on which operational managers can rely upon.

· Build effective working relationships, with the leadership team, and operational managers

Graduate Chartered Accountant (probably ACA trained although other recognised finance qualifications will be considered) with c 5 years PQE.

Background and Experience

· Experience in fast paced business environment, managing a small team

· This would potentially suit a strong number two, stepping into the number one role for the first time

· Good technical knowledge, and modelling knowledge gained in fast moving customer focussed environment

· Experienced in managing investors, funders and financiers

Personal Characteristics

· Pragmatic, robust character with an energetic, can do attitude

· Hands on, results focused, motivated to deliver in advance of deadlines

· Good people skills for leading finance team, and credibility with the rest of the senior leadership team

· An effective communicator with strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop, maintain and exploit strong internal and excellent external relationships at all levels

· Analytical with good commercial acumen