I am currently recruiting the Financial Controller for an education client based in Central London.

Reporting to the Finance Director you will lead the finance team ensuring sound accounting, processing, financial control and reporting. In addition to providing financial advice and business support to the Finance Director and the wider Group, you will lead change management within Finance, improving systems (Xero), processes and controls, working with department heads to help plan and manage the output of the Finance department - to both internal and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Accountable for the day-to-day operations of the finance function, ensuring that reporting deadlines are always met
• Preparation of the Group's monthly consolidated reporting, forecasting, annual budgeting process, and year end completions
• Preparation and monitoring of annual budget and reforecasting (P&L, Balance sheet and cashflow) through discussion with key budget holders
• All statutory reporting (internal and external) including audits
• Preparation of monthly finance board reporting pack, including key KPI's
• Responsible for the management of working capital, minimising risk and making informed finance decisions
• Develop and maintain all necessary systems, processes and procedures to ensure effective and efficient financial management within the company

Person specification:

You will be used to working within a complex, SME organisation and have exceptional interpersonal and leadership skills. You will need to be a qualified accountant, have experience within a finance leadership role, with the expert skills to negotiate at the highest level, as well as the gravitas to lead in the resolution of conflict and/or achieve solutions. You will have an exceptional track record of success and making a difference in the roles and organisations you have worked within, always seeking out ways the business can improve. You will have a hands-on pro-active approach, with the ability to manage a team and get the job done with minimal supervision.

• A Qualified Accountant with strong leadership skills
• Experience in evaluating systems, making recommendations and implementing improvements to processes specifically around controls and reporting (Xero)
• Excel skills - pivot tables, vlookups and hlookups as a minimum
• Professional, pragmatic and confident within a senior role
• Ability to communicate with key stakeholders, both internal and external, and ability to interact easily with non-finance colleagues and with employees at all levels
• Excellent attention to detail, good analytical skills, and ability to analyse numbers quickly and accurately and communicate them easily to non-finance colleagues

Hybrid working (three days in the Central London office)