Financial Controller

Profile.

Education / Qualification

CIMA CGMA

Lean Six Sigma

CIMA CPD, Digital Mindset

CIMA CPD, Advanced Excel for Accounting Professionals

NVQ Level 3, Business and Administration

Systems used

Software: Advanced Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Xero, Sage, Business Central, Salesforce

About

CIMA-qualified Financial Controller with 10+ years of experience across FP&A, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, and financial control. Demonstrates a strong track record of transforming finance functions, implementing ERP systems, optimising cash flow, and driving operational improvements that elevate business performance. Skilled at delivering strategic financial insights to support board-level decision-making, with sector experience spanning manufacturing, construction, and services. Commercially minded and systems-focused, with hands-on expertise in Xero, Business Central, Sage, and Salesforce. Committed to continuous improvement and delivering value through data-driven, forward-looking financial leadership.

Career Summary.

• Lead finance function for a £50m manufacturing site, providing full financial oversight and strategic business partnering to site leadership
• Own P&L and balance sheet, ensuring accurate, timely management and statutory reporting
• Drive financial performance through robust analysis, insight, and clear visibility of key cost and revenue drivers
• Lead budgeting, forecasting, and performance reviews aligned to group strategy and reporting requirements
• Partner cross-functionally (production, engineering, quality, supply chain, global sales) to translate operational activity into financial outcomes
• Oversee capital expenditure governance, including CIP, ensuring accurate tracking, control, and timely capitalisation
• Deliver daily and monthly performance reporting (including order book and revenue analysis) to support real-time decision making
• Chair order book reviews with global sales leadership, aligning demand, production, and financial forecasts
• Manage product costing, inventory control, and margin analysis in a complex manufacturing environment
• Act as key liaison with Shared Services (BPO), ensuring data accuracy, strong controls, and consistent processes
• Ensure compliance with group internal controls framework and lead site readiness for internal audits

Key Achievements:

• Stabilised month-end close and OneStream group reporting during team restructuring, maintaining accuracy under resource constraints
• Strengthened control over high-risk areas (accruals, GRNI, fixed assets, intercompany), reducing risk of misstatement
• Delivered clear, commercially focused variance analysis, improving visibility of performance drivers
• Maintained continuity of finance operations during organisational change with minimal handover
• Improved sales and cost reporting at product and customer level to enhance commercial insight
• Identified control weaknesses and implemented structured remediation plans across key processes
• Introduced structured CIP review process with project owners to improve spend control and capitalisation accuracy

• Managed all company financial activities including accounting, budgeting, forecasting, and reporting in line with group requirements
• Oversaw month-end and year-end processes, financial statements, journals, and reconciliations, improving accuracy and timeliness
• Monitored cash flow, liquidity, and financial Performance to identify risks and opportunities, providing actionable recommendations
• Controlled WIP and other balance sheet accounts; developed and reported on financial and non-financial KPIs
• Oversaw and approved payroll; implemented facial recognition clock-in software integrated with automated payroll, reducing admin time from 1–2 days/week to under half a day per month
• Liaised with lenders regarding asset financing and with insurance companies on relevant matters
• Developed and implemented policies, procedures, and internal controls, ensuring regulatory compliance and operational efficiency
• Coordinated with external auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory agencies to meet audit and tax requirements
• Provided mentoring, training, and recruitment support for finance team and wider management staff
• Led continuous improvement projects including ERP system implementation (Business Central) and workflow optimisations
• Developed and led a full-site turnaround strategy and budget, restoring financial control and operational stability
• Designed daily KPI dashboards for hire fleet performance, tracking utilisation, downtime, and profitability, enabling data-led optimisation
• Embedded 5S methodology in workshop and parts departments, improving safety, layout, and reducing cycle time from 6+ days to 3
• Recruited and mentored a new management team, including Hire Manager, Workshop Manager, and Management Accountant
• Introduced financial policies and reporting structures, including purchase order controls, supplier onboarding, segregation of duties, and controlled credit card usage
• Standardised month-end close processes with department checklists, reducing close from the 20th of the following month to under 5 working days
• Championed a culture of accountability, safety, and performance improvement, implementing training matrices and Safe Systems of Work
• Prepared site for successful ISO 9001 audit, introducing a Quality Management System and leading departmental meetings to set action plans
• Represented the company at group level, presenting YTD performance, annual budgets, and five-year strategic plans

• Managed full finance function including payroll, accounts receivable/payable, inventory, fixed assets, credit control, and budgeting
• Took ownership of the company’s industry audit after a failed assessment, rebuilding processes, documentation, and controls, achieving a successful re-audit within six months with zero major or minor non-conformances
• Reduced receivable days from 38 to 25 and increased payable days from 28 to 45, optimising cash flow management by £125,000 while maintaining strong supplier and customer relationships
• Delivered operational expense savings of £50,000 year-on-year through supplier renegotiations and process improvements, without compromising service quality
• Developed and implemented policies and procedures to enhance operational efficiency and financial performance
• Streamlined work order information, improving consistency, accessibility, and reporting accuracy
• Prepared budgets, conducted variance analysis, and forecasted financial trends to support resource allocation and strategic planning
• Championed change initiatives, introducing new technologies to improve productivity and workflow efficiency
• Ensured compliance with HMRC and industry-specific regulations, embedding robust internal controls
• Developed monthly management packs and KPIs for performance monitoring, enabling informed decision-making by leadership
• Provided comprehensive accounting support including month-end, VAT, P&L, and balance sheet reconciliations
• Introduced an improved credit control process, elevating cash flow while strengthening customer relationships
• Critically analysed expenditure and integrated improved financial practices, contributing to revenue growth and cost reduction
• Delivered staff training to address skills gaps and enhanced accounting system proficiency across the finance team

• Recruited, trained, and developed a high-performing finance team, fostering accountability and operational excellence
• Led the end-to-end implementation of Xero accounting software, automating bank feeds, invoicing, and reconciliation processes, improving real-time financial visibility and reporting accuracy
• Developed a GDPR compliance checklist, ensuring full adherence to legal requirements
• Produced monthly management reports for senior management, enhancing transparency and accessibility of key P&L and tax data
• Played a pivotal role in the development and launch of monthly management accounts, strengthening performance monitoring and enabling informed business decisions
• Analysed balance sheet and cash flow data, presenting insights to highlight key drivers, variances, and opportunities for operational improvement
• Managed sales ledger, purchase ledger, and credit control processes, consistently meeting strict deadlines and maintaining strong financial discipline

Additional Experience

Owner/Manager, Own Business

Business Internal Sales Manager, Telecoms

Call Centre Supervisor, Communications

Dealer Transfer, Car Sales