Group Financial Controller

Entrepreneurial Service Group
c. £120,000 + Attractive Package

An entrepreneurial, high-growth consumer services group is seeking a commercially astute and technically strong Group Financial Controller. This is a newly created, senior leadership opportunity for an experienced finance professional to play a pivotal role in a period of rapid expansion, supporting both M&A activity and the continued delivery of ‘business as usual’.

The Group Financial Controller will be responsible for the day-to-day management of the Group and divisional finance departments, operational finance teams, and various reporting functions. The role includes oversight of business risk, ensuring a strong internal control environment and full compliance with all statutory obligations.

Working closely with the Board, and in particular, the newly appointed CFO, you will help deliver the strategic aims of the business and lead transformational change across the finance team and wider organisation. You will be expected to apply strong commercial acumen, proactively managing the Group’s P&L and balance sheet.

You will provide robust financial controls alongside the ability to interpret, communicate, and report key financial insights to senior stakeholders. Crucially, you will bring the drive and capability to support change in a profitable, cash-generative and fast-paced environment.

Reporting directly to the CFO, you will play a critical role in overseeing the Group’s cash flow, ensuring a resilient liquidity position to support day-to-day operations and long-term strategic initiatives. This includes proactive forecasting, continuous monitoring, and forward-looking planning to facilitate confident and informed decision-making.

You will also be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, leading the preparation of annual budgets, and upholding a sound internal control environment. In addition, you will contribute at a strategic level by developing and implementing financial risk management frameworks aligned with the Group’s objectives.

As part of an ongoing M&A strategy, the role also calls for experience in transaction support and readiness for a planned debt finance raise.

Key Accountabilities

• Timely, accurate, and relevant financial reporting
• Oversight of all statutory reporting obligations (including statutory accounts, corporation tax, PAYE, VAT, and Companies House filings)
• Management, motivation, and development of the accounts team, ensuring high-quality outputs across all areas
• Ownership of payroll, expenses, DD tracker, and purchase ledger payment run sign-offs
• Development of internal management reporting systems
• Implementation and enhancement of internal controls and risk mitigation processes
• Production and management of annual budgeting cycles

Key Responsibilities

Financial Planning & Control

• Lead and coordinate budgeting, forecasting, and financial reporting across six business units and three operational sites, ensuring alignment with Group strategic objectives
• Develop and refine internal control systems and financial processes to promote compliance, cost control, and efficiency
• Conduct in-depth financial analysis and KPI reviews, highlighting key trends, risks, and opportunities to aid business decision-making
• Manage short- and long-term cash flow forecasting across the Group, identifying potential funding gaps or surpluses
• Monitor daily cash positions and work collaboratively across departments to optimise working capital and ensure business continuity

Operational & Strategic Support

• Partner with the Senior Leadership Team to provide commercially focused financial insights
• Evaluate business cases, capital investments, and cost-efficiency initiatives with rigour
• Support long-term financial planning through scenario modelling and strategic forecasting

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team, fostering accountability and excellence
• Champion a collaborative and high-performance culture, promoting continuous learning and development within the finance function

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure full compliance with statutory, tax, and regulatory obligations, maintaining the Group’s reputation for integrity and excellence
• Monitor and manage financial risks, implementing effective mitigation strategies where required
• Act as a key liaison for auditors, tax advisors, and other external financial stakeholders
• Continuously review and enhance financial systems, harnessing technology to improve scalability and efficiency

Stakeholder Engagement & Reporting

• Prepare and present insightful reports to the CFO, Executive Team, and Board of Directors
• Translate complex financial data into actionable insights to support strategic planning and business growth
• Build strong relationships with both internal and external stakeholders, ensuring financial alignment with operational goals

Desirable Experience

• Exposure to mergers and acquisitions, including integration
• Involvement in debt financing or capital-raising processes

Person Specification

This is a broad, commercially involved Group Financial Controller role requiring not only a strong technical and controls background but also the ability to add strategic and commercial value.

As with all senior appointments in this people-centric Group, cultural fit and alignment with company values are essential. In a fast-paced, entrepreneurial, and innovative environment, attitude is as important as experience.

The successful candidate will play a vital role in setting the tone and culture of the finance function, demonstrating gravitas, energy, and an ability to influence at all levels. A ‘hands-on’, proactive approach is essential, as is a mindset geared towards change, growth, and continuous improvement.

They will possess strong interpersonal skills, the ability to work cross-functionally, and a track record of delivering results in dynamic, evolving environments.

Skills & Experience Required

• Professional Qualification: ACA, ACCA or ACMA, with a minimum of 10 years’ post-qualification experience
• Experience: At least 5 years in senior finance leadership roles, ideally within a high-growth, service-led organisation
• Commercial Acumen: Strong commercial orientation and a proven track record of contributing to growth, strategic decision-making, and business performance
• Operational Expertise: Demonstrated ability to lead multi-site/divisional teams and deliver operational improvements
• Financial Proficiency: Advanced understanding of financial reporting, modelling, compliance, and use of modern finance systems
• Resilience & Adaptability: Comfort operating in high-paced, evolving environments, with a problem-solving, solution-focused mindset
• Leadership & Integrity: High personal integrity and a strong sense of ownership, accountability, and professional standards
• Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Able to combine strategic thinking with attention to detail, translating complex data into practical actions
• Innovative Problem-Solving: Creative and pragmatic in developing solutions that improve performance and value

The appointee will constantly strive for excellence and demonstrate personal drive and resilience, with a mature and experienced approach to both growth, and set-backs. They will be self-motivated & able to work on their own initiative whilst putting team and company needs before own and possess the ability to think flexibly and laterally.

The successful candidate will have continuous improvement and innovative approach to financial leadership, and be hugely excited by a very high paced environment, thick with USPs – their strength will be underpinned by a real “Just Do It” attitude, and a sense of humour.