Financial Controller

Axiom are working with a well-known retail organisation and are recruiting a Financial Controller to work closely with the Head of Finance. The Financial Controller will be responsible for the production of the monthly management accounts, annual budget and quarterly forecasts, cash reporting/forecasting and all statutory external reporting, including management of the audit and external third parties, and the production of the statutory accounts. The Financial Controller is a champion for finance with a breadth of business knowledge, managing robust financial controls, driving customer service, mentoring and leading a small team and ensuring all day to day processes are followed and reviewed regularly in line with company needs so that they are fit for purpose in a dynamic and evolving business.

Key Responsibilities:

Management Accounts

Ownership of producing timely and accurate monthly management accounts.

• Review of all accruals and prepayments.
• Review of all balance sheet reconciliations.
• Ensure cost allocations across the business are an accurate reflection of trading and are reviewed regularly.
• Challenge numbers to ensure they are interpreted correctly and can be explained to the Senior Leadership Team.
• Actively seek understanding of the numbers to develop breadth of knowledge of the business in order to identify any risks and opportunities and ensure any appropriate actions are resolved in a timely manner
• Ensure consistency in reporting
• Continual review and streamlining processes where necessary to ensure that time is spent more effectively in interpreting data rather than collating data to remain efficient and effective.
• Regularly review reporting to ensure it is relevant to the business.
• Provide monthly information and extra reporting requirements as required internally & externally.

Budgeting & Reforecasting

Ownership of the consolidation of the annual budget and subsequent reforecasts in line with the timetable set out by the Head of Finance, working with all budget holders to ensure it is accurate and relevant.

• Work with all budget holders to ensure their figures are as accurate as possible, assist with the analysis of each area and feedback to the departments where necessary.
• Prepare and distribute information within set targets and review submissions for internal accuracy and send the information to all budget holders.
• Answer queries and make adjustments where necessary.
• Collate all information and analyse FY impact for management review.

Audit & Tax

Ownership the overall audit process and liaise with the auditors to deliver a smooth annual audit as follows:

• A defined audit timetable that is clear for all parties both internal and external.
• Completed audit PBC list at the start of each audit, delegating appropriately to the Financial Accountant and Finance Assistants where it is their area of responsibility, but ensuring all items are checked and delivered in full.
• Completed tax pack analysis, delegating appropriately to the Financial Accountant and Finance Assistants where it is their area of responsibility, but ensuring all items are checked and delivered in full.
• Management of all audit and tax queries with a quick turnaround so that any delays are not due to a lack of timeliness internally.
• Minimal adjustments from the initial trial balance and no surprises on the audit findings documents relating to the accounts or finance controllable processes.
• Full and complete statutory accounts in line with current IFRS guidelines.
• Going concern workings.
• Ensure any processes for collating data are as smooth as possible and that schedules are prepared in a manner that can be easily repeated or updated.

Systems and Processes

Ownership of the maintenance and development of finance related systems and processes to optimise their effectiveness and efficiency.

• Define finance and wider systems to support financial processes and recommend changes – currently mainly B2 (database and interface layers), Excel Cubes, Open Accounts & eFinance
• Ensure processes employed throughout the organisation assist in the smooth and efficient running of the business, and that the adjustments made to give appropriate financial solutions are the most appropriate and beneficial for the ongoing development of the business

General

• Maintain the chart of accounts and all relevant reports, ensuring new nominal codes and changes in responsibility are reflected.
• Maintain the PO and invoice approval systems, monitor sign off and ensure the authorisation hierarchy is followed.
• Manage all outstanding overhead purchase orders and unmatched deliveries working with the relevant departments to ensure they understand the full ordering process and business implications.
• Manage the payment of suppliers, staff expenses, and all other expenditure
• Liaise with other departments to resolve any issues and ensure training is provided for all finance processes.
• Assist the department in reducing admin and processing times with business & process improvements.
• Ad hoc project work.

Leadership & Management

Inspire, lead and engage your team ensuring ownership and accountability and a ‘can do’ approach.

• Manage the financial accountant and two finance assistants to ensure all daily processes and polices are followed, encouraging them to work with the business, helping and educating.
• Assist with answering queries both internally and externally.
• Review targets and supervise finance assistants to ensure these are met.
• Develop and empower your team members to undertake their job and grow at the pace needed to deliver our plans.
• Managing performance in an appropriate and timely manner, ensuring clear and honest feedback and action through clear objectives and appraisals, regular 121’s and Personal Growth Plans.
• Lead by example in working to and achieving your own objectives and own personal development.

Communication with other departments/external relationships

To work with other teams both internal and external to the business, ensuring that there is two way communication on information/action required and supplied to enable all parties to achieve the business objectives and deliver outstanding customer service, through:

• Consider the end user, either internal or external customer, and feed back to other departments to ensure that it is taken into account when making decisions
• Build and maintain a strong and varied network of contacts within the business and communicate with all to achieve win-win solutions
• Ensure all communication is clear, concise and informative
• Be proactive in obtaining all necessary information from other managers/departments to enable you to take a full view of what impacts you and what onward communication is needed
• Work closely with other teams/Managers to keep everyone informed of progress and supply feedback as requested
• Work effectively with other departments to ensure cross functional projects are achieved as a team, in a timely manner
• Ensure regular, timely and appropriate communications are maintained with other teams to ensure effective results
• Develop and sustain effective and successful working relationships with all external suppliers in a professional manner
• Ensure all relevant business correspondence is dealt with professionally, effectively and within required timeframes

Person specification

We are looking for someone who can demonstrate the following skills and attributes:

• Qualified Accountant CIMA/ACCA/ACA.
• Well-rounded individual; organised, self-motivated, and with good written and oral communication skills/interpersonal skills across all levels of the organisation
• Proven management and leadership experience with a track record of driving a finance team to deliver quality and timely information
• Able to challenge the status quo.
• Adaptable and responsive to change.
• Strong systems and process experience with the understanding and ability to challenge the status quo
• Passionate and enthusiastic about providing fantastic customer service.
• Enjoys being in the detail as well as stepping back and thinking big picture.
• Highly numerate with meticulous attention to detail.
• Advanced Excel skills.