Financial Controller

Financial Controller

Chiswick, London

Exciting opportunity to be the Financial Controller of a successful and growing niche equipment hire company.

About the role:

We are recruiting for an individual to join and lead the accounts teams as Financial Controller. We are a national equipment hire company operating in the media sector. 

As the FC, you will be reporting directly into the Board, and managed by and working closely with the Managing Director. You will be leading the finance team, as well as interacting with the operations of the business. This is a new role for the business, as the board are looking for a more senior finance lead to support the board as the business grows, particularly in relation to how finance interacts with the operational side of the business, and how to grow the business. In addition to financial reporting you will be driving business change and improving financial processes, and informing on the strategy of the group. 

Initially, you will be leading a team of 2 clerks and working closely with our data / systems manager. You will have the opportunity to change the finance team structure in collaboration with the board. This role will allow for fast career progression for those with the requisite enthusiasm and competency.

An understanding of and aptitude for capital equipment returns in the context of a hire business is extremely important for this role.

Job role:

• Oversee the delivery of accurate, timely and comprehensive reporting of financial information including monthly financial accounts and associated analysis, year-end accounts and consolidation.
• Produce and present forecasts and budgets to the Board.
• Manage a weekly cashflow forecast.
• Manage the accounting functions in the business including invoicing entries, bank reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, journals and bank payments.
• Effectively manage and control all aspects of working capital including leading monthly debtor and creditor meetings.
• Work closely with the data / systems manager to improve reporting on and the ROI / ROCE of the asset base. Liaise and prepare year end information for external auditors.
• Work with the management of each business to improve KPI reporting and assist management in making better decisions, including specifically the returns of the asset base.
• Day to day operational management of funding relationship (invoice discounting) and capacity to lead the funding relationship within 1 year
• Feed in to operational, strategic, and growth of the business, taking an active role with the rest of the board.

Experience:

• Qualified (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Have the energy and enthusiasm to take the business to the next level
• Displaying the strength of a senior manager, someone who understands how to grow and improve an SME.
• Good knowledge of statutory obligations, tax, VAT and statutory accounts.
• Understanding of asset management and hire business economics.
• The commercial aptitude to evaluate and problem solve effectively.
• Experience with asset financing, including receivables financing.

Person spec:

• Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
• Close attention to detail.
• Entrepreneurial and able to take ownership.
• Able to manage responsibility from day 1.