Financial Controller

Our Client is one of the UK’s largest utility companies and has a track record of growth, innovation and excellent customer service. Supporting the Managing Director of this new business enterprise you will be responsible for building a new finance team, redesigning reporting and controls processes and systems and being a commercial support to the Managing Director and key stakeholders. You will also be heavily involved in strategy, planning and analysis. With an annual capex budget of over £250m you will be working with cross-functional teams to prepare budgets for operational and capital expenditure; this includes working with commercial colleagues on the development of cost and output metrics, including unit costing, to support the proposed budget and to enable meaningful performance reporting and analysis. Provide quarterly forecasts of performance based on results to date and input from commercial and operational management. Provide timely and accurate reports of actual performance, covering performance against financial and non-financial indicators that provides meaningful management information and supports decision-making. Work closely with commercial colleagues to explain variances and impact on outturn. Support the MD In defining and delivering a control environment. Approve any transformation efficiency initiatives, agree projected costs and benefits and track realisation in actual results. Identify and deliver opportunities to improve efficiency or add value. Control the business unit profit & loss account, cash flow and balance sheet through regular reconciliation and review. Make sure costs are allocated on an appropriate basis. Capitalise costs on a timely basis. Meet all regulatory and financial reporting requirements; liaise with Group Finance to understand any relevant accounting or reporting developments. To be successful in this role you will need to hold strong management accounting experience alongside a relevant accounting qualification and possess excellent analytical skills with proven ability to communicate at all levels. Experience in a large scale business encompassing transformation, systems/process development and commercial finance is essential. Stakeholder management skills and the ability to challenge credibly at middle/senior management level to the benefit of performance will be key to this role. Experience of working in a utilities organisation is desirable but not essential.