Our client, a rapidly growing business consultancy firm serving the retail industry, has an opening for an experienced Financial Controller to join their West London team. Reporting to the Commercial Director, the Financial Controller will ensure the smooth financial operation of the business, both day-to-day operations, annual audit, compliance matters, and crucially cashflow management and financial processes. This role ensures that across the business the Company implement and execute good financial disciplines that preserve and enhance profitability, generate meaningful free cash flow, and ensure they operate within reporting rules and requirements. As such, the role holder interacts with a wide range of stakeholders, from our Board and Executive Leadership through to suppliers and customers.

Core Financial Controller Duties include:

Financial Management

The role holder is required to manage day to day financial management of the business, including:

• Accountable for the design, implementation and monitoring of effective AP and AR processes, customer billing and supplier purchasing is executed properly and in accordance with contracts and best practice
• Oversee regular financial management routines and processes including WIP management, payroll processing, stock reporting, balance sheet reconciliations, payment runs and expenses management
• Preparation and submission of all relevant statutory and regulatory accounts returns, VAT Returns and other tax reporting requirements

Payroll, Systems and Productivity

The role holder is responsible for managing outsourced payroll and maintaining financial systems and tools

• Manage outsourced payroll provider (IRIS) and account manage this and any other finance suppliers, ensuring KPI’s including quality of service and costs are achieved. Act as day to day contact for business teams in relation to payroll queries
• Manage and improve financial systems and tools (currently Paprika), seeking to continually improve and develop financial processes in order to increase productivity
• Lead financial training across the business, ensuring compliance with and knowledge of all relevant systems and processes
• Oversee pension auto enrolment requirements

Regulatory & Audit

The role holder is accountable

• Ensure all financial records (including balance sheet) and reporting are accurate
• Lead the submission of audit information
• Work with company auditors to ensure accurate, and on time, submission of all legal and regulatory filings in relation to finance

Cashflow Management including Retail Trading

The role holder is a critical leader of the business cash flow management strategy and delivery:

• Implement and manage daily, weekly and periodic cashflow management processes, ensuring regular and timely review of all aspects of cash management
• Provide regular and meaningful cash flow updates to the Executive and Board functions, including issue raising and resolution when required to ensure business solvency and continuity
• Develop and implement proactive management strategies that maximise free cash flow at all times
• Day to day contact for suppliers and other third parties in relation to payments, including payment dates, invoice queries and rebate management
• Responsible for the processes and adequate controls of our Retail trading including the purchasing and retailing of customer products and goods, recording and reconciliation of stock values and associated cash management and profit / balance sheet reconciliation

Management Information and Budgeting

The role holder is accountable for providing accurate, timely and meaningful Board and Executive reporting

• Prepare monthly management accounts for the Company to Board and Executive teams
• Provide monthly reviews of Company performance vs budgets and targets and provide insights and commentary as to variances that are reported
• Support Executive teams in the preparation of Budgets, Forecasts and business reports

Team Leadership

The role holder manages a direct commercial team, an indirect supplier / third party network, and internal business colleagues and needs to be adept at managing these different groups:

• Lead a team within the Commercial Team to ensure quality performance and promote a positive working culture in line with our values
• Lead on key financial queries, training and development opportunities across the business
• As a Senior Director, participate actively in initiatives to improve the business, including culture and development, profitability initiatives and team management

Qualifications and Experience:

Ideally you will be CIMA/ACCA/ACA qualified with previous experience in a similar role within in a similar professional services agency with retail trading experience an added advantage!

You will also be able to demonstrate your technical accountancy capabilities along with be highly personable and able to interact effectively with a wide range of stakeholders

If this sounds like you then please send us your CV now!

Due to the high volume of applications, only successful candidates will be contacted.