Financial Controller

Job Title: Financial Controller

Salary: £60,000 – £70,000 (circa)
Location: Leatherhead, Surrey

Overview

We are seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to lead the finance function and support the operational and strategic needs of the business. This role is central to ensuring strong financial control, accurate reporting, and effective cash flow management within a contract-driven environment.

The successful candidate will act as a key partner to operations, providing financial insight, improving processes, and driving accountability across the organisation.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control & Reporting

• Produce accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including profit and loss, balance sheet, and cash flow statements .
• Maintain robust financial controls across all key cost areas
• Oversee general ledger integrity, reconciliations, and month-end/year-end close
• Provide clear financial analysis and performance insight across contracts and regions

Cash Flow Management

• Own and manage detailed cash flow forecasting (weekly and monthly)
• Monitor daily cash positions and liquidity
• Actively manage working capital, including invoicing, credit control, and supplier payments
• Ensure billing is accurate and aligned to contract terms and service level agreements
• Identify risks to cash flow and implement mitigation strategies
• Manage relationships with banking partners and funding providers

Contract & Operational Finance

• Support pricing, tendering, and contract renewals with financial modelling
• Track contract performance, margins, and variations
• Partner closely with operational teams to understand key cost drivers (labour, fuel, plant, etc.)
• Support planning around seasonal fluctuations in workload and revenue

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead annual budgeting and periodic reforecasting
• Analyse variances and provide actionable insight
• Support longer-term financial planning, including capital expenditure

Statutory, Tax & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards and regulatory requirements
• Manage statutory accounts preparation and external audit process
• Oversee VAT, PAYE, and Corporation Tax compliance
• Ensure adherence to internal governance and statutory obligations

Payroll & Cost Control

• Oversee accurate and timely payroll processing
• Monitor labour costs against budgets and contract pricing
• Ensure compliance with HMRC and pension requirements

Systems & Process Improvement

• Improve financial systems and reporting (including Xero)
• Streamline finance processes, particularly around invoicing and cash flow
• Lead or support finance-related projects and system enhancements

Person Specification

Essential Experience

• Proven experience in a Financial Controller or similar senior finance role
• Strong management accounting experience
• Experience using Xero
• Experience managing and developing teams
• Hands-on, operational approach to finance

Skills & Attributes

• Strong commercial and operational awareness
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills
• High attention to detail and accuracy
• Ability to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
• Proactive, adaptable, and solutions-focused
• Strong organisational and time management skills

Benefits

• 25 days holiday plus birthday off
• Pension scheme
• Free on-site car parking
• Hours 08:00 – 16:30

Refer a friend and earn £100! If you have a friend who is also searching for a new opportunity in the local area, recommend Optima and if we place them (providing they complete their 3-month probation period), you will receive a £100 retail voucher of your choice!

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Optima Recruitment Limited are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy and are an equal opportunities employer.