Financial Controller

Our client is a well-established and highly regarded civil engineering contractor, with a strong reputation for quality, safety and innovation.

They are now looking to appoint an experienced Divisional Finance Controller to take ownership of the financial control, reporting and performance of the Division.

This is a key finance position, working closely with the Finance Director, operational teams and commercial management to provide financial insight, challenge and support across the business.

The Role

As Divisional Finance Controller, you will have overall responsibility for the financial management and reporting of the Division, ensuring accurate financial information, robust controls and effective financial performance management.

You will play a key role in supporting operational and commercial decision-making, monitoring project performance and identifying opportunities to improve profitability, efficiency and financial controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Take overall responsibility for divisional financial control and reporting.
• Prepare and deliver accurate monthly management accounts and financial reports.
• Lead the month-end close process, including journals, accruals, prepayments, provisions and reconciliations.
• Analyse divisional performance across turnover, gross profit, overheads, operating profit and cash flow.
• Monitor performance against budgets and forecasts, identifying variances and agreeing corrective actions.
• Lead the preparation and ongoing review of divisional budgets and forecasts.
• Provide financial support and challenge to operational and commercial managers.
• Monitor project and contract financial performance, including WIP, margins, costs, revenue recognition and anticipated final outcomes.
• Identify financial risks, opportunities and areas requiring management action.
• Manage divisional cash flow and working capital, including debtors, creditors and cash collection.
• Ensure robust financial controls and company procedures are maintained.
• Support the administration and development of Microsoft Business Central and other financial systems.
• Support VAT returns, statutory reporting, year-end accounts and external audit requirements.
• Provide financial analysis and insight to support senior management decision-making.
• Lead and contribute to the continuous improvement of finance processes, systems and controls.
• Provide guidance and support to finance and non-finance colleagues across the Division.

About You

The successful candidate will be an experienced finance professional with a strong background in financial control and commercial accounting.

Essential requirements:

• Fully qualified CA, ACCA or CIMA .
• Previous experience as a Finance Controller, Senior Finance Manager or similar senior finance position.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge across management accounts, statutory accounts, VAT and audit.
• Experience within contract/project accounting, including WIP and percentage-of-completion methods.
• Strong understanding of financial control, reporting, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management.
• Experience managing month-end close processes and audit requirements.
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to challenge and support operational teams.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.
• Strong organisational skills with the ability to manage competing priorities and deadlines.
• Experience using ERP/accounting systems, with Microsoft Business Central experience desirable.
• Strong Microsoft 365 skills.

What’s on Offer?

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• Long-term opportunity with an established and respected civil engineering contractor.
• Senior position with significant responsibility and influence.
• Opportunity to work closely with the Finance Director, CFO and wider senior management team.
• Career development and progression opportunities.
• Opportunity to contribute to wider financial, systems and business improvement initiatives.

If you are an experienced Finance Controller, Senior Finance Manager or qualified accountant looking for your next opportunity within the construction/civil engineering sector, we would be keen to hear from you.

Apply now or get in touch for a confidential discussion about the role.