Financial Controller

Ashberry Recruitment are looking for a management accountant to step up to a Financial Controller position in a relatively small team supporting a range of diverse rural and hospitality focussed businesses. This is a new role and an excellent opportunity for someone looking for career progression.
The ideal candidate will have experience working as a management accountant with the ability to oversee the finance function and support a small finance team.
This role will report directly to the Finance Manager.
The candidate is expected to have a working knowledge of Xero and Sage and be able to learn and use the business accounting package quickly with training.
Role responsibilities:
* Preparation of monthly and quarterly management accounts and annual budgets for discussion at management board meetings
* Regular discussions with the Finance Manager to monitor accounts and budgets, ability to discuss variances and react to these
* Accounting and bookkeeping: Responsibility for maintaining accurate financial records for the businesses, including overseeing the team that manages accounts payable and receivable, reconciling bank statements, and developing a robust control environment within the financial department including credit control;
* Monitoring of the cashflow position against budgeted spending and reporting cashflow and bank balances;
* Manage the sales ledger for the hospitality business using Guestline;
* Assist the Finance manager with analysis of all projects to be undertaken by the business between capital and revenue expenditure and assist preparing projections. Monitor all capital expenditure against budget and report on progress and any overspends timeously;
* Provide support with grant applications and monitor the process;
* Assistance with preparation of the annual accounts for review by the external accountants and provision of support as part of the finance team to the accountants to ensure timely completion of the year end work to meet tax compliance deadlines;
* Preparation of detailed long term financial projections with input from all heads of department to allow long term planning decisions;
* Hold regular meetings with heads of departments to assess the financial performance of each department and identify any areas of weakness or cashflow issues;
* Identify cost saving opportunities and implement efficiency savings;
* Support and cover of the bookkeeping and payroll functions where necessary;
* Be the utilities contract manager and take a lead on the procurement process;
Person specification:
* Be a part or fully qualified accountant.
* Be a flexible self-starter keen to be involved in all aspects of the business.
* Be IT literate – ideally have experience with the Microsoft suite of products as well as finance systems including Xero, Sage line 50 and possibly Guestline.
* Knowledge of hospitality business and the market will be of help
* Be a demonstrable team player and willing to liaise with clients and other team members to answer queries