Interim Group Financial Controller

Interim Group Financial Controller

Based - Manchester| Hybrid Working (circa 2 days on site per week)

Salary - £100,000 – £120,000 annual equivalent | 3–4 Month Contract

Immediate Start

Whitaker Smith Recruitment is working exclusively on a fantastic interim opportunity with a newly established, investment-backed group embarking on an ambitious buy-and-build growth strategy. With its initial acquisitions underway and significant plans for further expansion, the business is looking to appoint an experienced Interim Group Financial Controller to strengthen financial reporting, establish more effective processes and help create a finance infrastructure capable of supporting future growth.

This is an excellent opportunity for a commercially minded, hands-on finance professional who enjoys getting under the skin of a business, identifying what needs improving and delivering tangible results including post-completion checks and setting up a brand new Group function

The Opportunity

Working closely with senior leadership and the management team of a recently acquired business, you will take ownership of improving the day-to-day finance function whilst also supporting the development of the wider group's financial reporting and control environment. The immediate priority will be to introduce accurate, meaningful monthly management information, improve the visibility of project profitability and WIP, and establish practical processes that give management greater confidence in the numbers. Alongside this, you will help put the foundations in place for a growing group, ensuring the finance function can develop alongside an ambitious acquisition strategy.

Role:

• Take ownership of improving financial reporting, introducing a consistent monthly management accounts process and providing greater visibility of business performance working with the MD of the acquired company
• Review existing project accounting, revenue recognition and work in progress, ensuring costs, time allocation and profitability are accurately captured and reported
• Assess current finance systems and processes, identifying opportunities to improve efficiency, accuracy and automation
• Strengthen financial controls, cash management, reconciliations and reporting procedures, introducing appropriate structure without unnecessary complexity.
• Work closely with operational management to improve the quality of financial information and reduce the administrative burden on senior stakeholders
• Support the transition towards a more structured finance function, including reviewing the balance of internally managed and outsourced activities
• Assist with the establishment of group-level reporting, accounting processes and governance arrangements as the business continues to expand
• Provide financial support around acquisition integration and post-completion activities, helping establish consistent processes across the wider group
• Develop practical reporting frameworks and financial procedures that can be adopted as further businesses join the group
• Work alongside senior finance and operational stakeholders to ensure improvements are embedded and provide a smooth handover at the conclusion of the assignment

Experience:

We are looking for a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with strong technical accounting knowledge and a proven track record of delivering improvements within SME or growing business environments. Beneficial / desirable experience includes:

• A strong understanding of management accounting, particularly WIP, project profitability, revenue recognition and cost allocation - desirable
• Experience establishing reliable financial reporting and improving processes in businesses where existing systems or controls require development – essential
• Experience setting up a brand new group finance function / dealing with post-deal integrations to group - desirable
• The ability to work independently, investigate issues and implement practical solutions without relying on large finance teams or external support
• Excellent communication skills, with the confidence to challenge constructively, build relationships quickly and work effectively with business owners and senior management
• Experience within a private equity-backed business / acquisition integration – beneficial

Why this role?

This is an opportunity to make a genuine impact at an important stage in a group's development. Rather than maintaining an established finance function, you will have the autonomy to improve how the business operates, influence future reporting standards and help build the financial foundations for continued expansion.

The assignment offers direct exposure to senior decision-makers, a varied workload and the opportunity to contribute to a business with a clear and ambitious growth strategy

This is a 3-4 month assignment with potential to be extended, you MUST be immediately available to be considered with a planned start date for early November. Apply now – interviews happening next week