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!
Please note that if you have not been contacted within 5 working days, then unfortunately on this occasion your CV has not been shortlisted. By applying for this vacancy, you accept Optima Recruitment Limited’s Privacy and GDPR Policy which can be found on our website and therefore gives us consent to contact you.
Optima Recruitment Limited are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this vacancy and are an equal opportunities employer
Salary description
£60000.00 - £70000.00 per year