I am currently recruiting a Financial Controller for a professional services organisation based in the Manchester area. My client has completed two acquisitions in the past 8 months, with a further planned for this year.
The business is undergoing integration into a standardised finance environment, with a clear focus on building a scalable, data-driven operating model under a single entity brand.
With strong backing from a supportive private equity partner and a clear national growth strategy, this is a rare opportunity to play a key role in shaping the financial infrastructure of a high-growth business.
The Role:
As Financial Controller, you will report directly to the CFO and have full ownership of the day-to-day finance function, while acting as a strategic partner to the CFO and wider executive team.
This is a hands‑on leadership role in a fast‑paced, acquisitive environment, requiring a combination of technical excellence, commercial awareness and operational delivery. Supporting the CFO’s focus on strategy, M&A and investor relations, the Financial Controller will ensure the finance function is robust, scalable and operating effectively at pace.
Key Responsibilities:
- Own and continuously improve the month‑end close process, ensuring timely, accurate and audit-ready financial reporting
- Maintain full balance sheet integrity, with clear ownership, reconciliations and supporting documentation
- Lead the year‑end audit process, acting as primary contact for auditors and ensuring a smooth, low‑adjustment audit
- Oversee group consolidation and statutory reporting requirements
- Own cash flow forecasting, daily cash management and medium‑term liquidity planning
- Drive improvements in working capital, including WIP, billing and debtor management
- Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, including development of annual operating and capital budgets
- Provide high‑quality financial analysis and insight to support decision‑making across the business
- Prepare and deliver the finance section of the monthly Board pack, including KPI reporting and performance analysis
- Own finance systems and data integrity, including development of scalable processes and reporting structures
- Support financial due diligence on acquisitions and assess financial implications of potential transactions
- Lead financial integration of acquired businesses, including systems migration, control alignment and reporting standardisation
- Deliver timely and accurate reporting to the Board, private equity investors and lenders
- Take ownership of lender covenant calculations and reportingSupport the CFO in managing relationships with key stakeholders including investors, lenders, auditors and advisers
Key Requirements
- ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with strong post‑qualification experience
- Proven track record of delivering high‑quality, timely financial reporting and maintaining robust financial controls in a scaling environment
- Experience within a professional services or business services environment (legal and regulatory sector experience strongly preferred)
- Strong understanding of WIP accounting, revenue recognition and working capital management
- Private equity experience preferred, ideally within a buy‑and‑build environment
- Demonstrated experience in financial due diligence and post‑acquisition integration
- Strong finance systems capability, with experience improving or implementing finance or practice management systems
- Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels
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