Financial Controller

Our client is a market-leading SME firm based in Lanarkshire, who have an exciting opportunity for a Financial Controller to join their well-established, yet growing Organisation. This is an office based role in their magnificent office in South Lanarkshire.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, the Financial Controller will oversee the organisation’s financial operations, including financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, treasury management, banking relationships, Xero, Salesforce reporting, tax compliance, FCA reporting, ISO compliance reporting and R&D tax claim preparation.

The role will ensure accurate and timely financial information, effective financial controls, tax and regulatory compliance, sound cash flow management and informed business decision-making. The Financial Controller will manage, train and develop the finance team and lead the effective use and continuous improvement of financial systems, technology and digital processes.

The successful candidate will have experience in a scaling SME and be comfortable working in a fast-paced, evolving environment where processes, systems and reporting requirements continue to develop. A comprehensive outline of the Key Responsibilities is available in the Job Spec that we have, but the headlines to these responsibilities are; Financial Reporting, Accounting and Analysis Banking and Treasury Tax Compliance FCA, ISO and R&D Reporting Financial Controls and Accounts Operations Sales and Revenue Reporting Finance Team Management and Training Business Support and Process Improvement Qualifications and Experience Essential Requirements

• Fully qualified ACCA member in good standing.
• Proven experience working in a scaling SME or similarly fast-paced organisation.
• Strong practical experience using Xero for accounting, reporting and bank reconciliations.
• Experience in financial accounting, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial control.
• Strong knowledge of UK accounting standards, statutory compliance and tax requirements.
• Practical experience managing VAT returns, reconciliations and records.
• Experience preparing or supporting corporation tax computations and returns.
• Proven experience managing month-end and year-end reporting.
• Experience managing, training and developing finance staff.
• Experience preparing bank reports and liaising with banking institutions.
• Knowledge of banking covenants, loan agreements and treasury management.
• Experience preparing or supporting FCA regulatory reporting.
• Experience with ISO reporting, compliance documentation or management systems.
• Experience preparing or supporting R&D tax relief claims.
• Knowledge of qualifying R&D expenditure and supporting documentation.
• Experience maintaining effective internal financial controls.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills.
• Strong understanding of confidentiality, data accuracy and regulatory reporting.
• Ability to identify opportunities for automation, system integration and process improvement.
• Ability to work hands-on while developing scalable processes and supporting business growth. Desirable Requirements
• Previous experience as a Financial Controller or in a senior finance role.
• Experience supporting bank facility renewals and credit reviews.
• Experience in an FCA-regulated organisation.
• Experience supporting ISO certification or compliance reviews.
• Experience working with R&D tax advisers.
• Experience with Xero Payroll, Xero Projects or connected applications.
• Experience with sales reporting, dashboards or CRM systems.
• Experience with project accounting, time recording or R&D cost tracking.
• Experience dealing directly with HMRC.
• Experience implementing automation, dashboards, workflow tools or business intelligence solutions.
• Experience with APIs, integrations or finance system implementations.
• Experience supporting a business through rapid growth, operational change or system development. Key Skills and Competencies
• Strong leadership, people management and coaching skills.
• Excellent financial analysis, problem-solving and professional judgement.
• High levels of accuracy, organisation and attention to detail.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Commercial awareness and the ability to work pragmatically in a scaling SME.
• Strong knowledge of Xero and financial reporting systems.
• Understanding of VAT, corporation tax, FCA reporting, ISO compliance and R&D tax requirements.
• Ability to reconcile and analyse information from sales systems and Xero.
• Strong interest in technology, automation, systems and digital innovation.
• Ability to learn new software quickly and improve existing processes.
• Ability to explain financial and tax information clearly to non-financial stakeholders.
• High standards of integrity, confidentiality and accountability.
• Comfortable working hands-on while building scalable systems and processes.

Ability to manage change and support organisational growth. Candidate Profile The successful candidate must be a fully qualified ACCA member and an experienced Xero user with strong financial control, reporting, banking and UK tax experience.

They must have proven experience working in a scaling SME and be comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment where processes, systems and reporting requirements continue to develop. Experience using Salesforce or another CRM system for sales, customer, pipeline or financial reporting would be advantageous but is not essential.

The successful candidate must have a strong appetite for technology, automation and digital innovation, with the ability to learn new systems, improve processes and increase efficiency, accuracy and business insight. They must have practical experience managing VAT and corporation tax requirements, together with experience managing and training finance staff and knowledge of FCA reporting, ISO compliance and R&D tax claims.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong technical accounting and tax knowledge, commercial awareness, leadership ability, attention to detail and a commitment to accurate reporting, effective controls and continuous improvement.

They will be a pragmatic, commercially minded and hands-on finance professional who can build a scalable finance function and support the organisation’s continued growth. The salary of this role will be at least £65,000 per year and will be fully office based in a fantastic, modern office in South Lanarkshire where there is ample free parking on-site.

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