Financial Controller

Our client is a  fast-growth importer, wholesaler and distributor of specialist foods, supplying to a range of retailers and service providers in the UK and Europe. They benefit from being a key business within a global, customer led group with an exciting growth strategy and an impressive list of blue-chip consumer facing clients.  As part of that strategy our client is now looking to recruit a financial controller who will both partner the Managing Director and also report into the group function . The role has overarching responsibility  for the financial health of the business and will support decision making, growth and strategy (long and short term). This is an exciting opportunity to work with a highly strategic and knowledgeable leadership team, where you can add value commercially and develop the finance function.

Responsibilities:

• Partner with the Managing Director to drive and implement the three-year strategy for making commercial decisions on major contracts
• Present financial reports to Board members, stakeholders, executives, and clients
• Preparation of monthly financial information in IFRS format for presentation to management
• Implementation of Sarbanes-Oxley compliance, managing the quarterly audit cycle
• Track the company’s financial status and key performance indicators to identify areas for potential improvement
• Manage and lead the finance team (currently six people), monitoring day-to-day financial operations
• Longer term the intention is to roll out SAP (in line with group)
• Drive the continuous improvement of end-to-end accounting practices
• Minimise risk to the company (include credit control)
• Ensure robust working capital management and cashflow forecasts
• Monthly management accounts review and oversee preparation of statutory accounts
• Responsible for VAT compliance, duty payment and stock costing
• Support and facilitate the implementation of new accounting and IT software as appropriate

Requirements

• You will be a qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA or CIMA), with a relevant degree and strong mathematical skills
• Experience of SOX compliance and managing audits
• Experience of staff management and team development
• Strong commercial awareness and understanding of solid business practices
• High EQ, cultural awareness and the ability to work collaboratively, within a global corporate organisation
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Ability to multi-task and excellent attention to detail
• An ability to maintain confidentiality and act with discretion
• Excellent critical thinking and problem-solving ability