Interim Financial Controller
1 day ago
Bristol
• Job Title: Financial Controller, • Reports to: Founders / Senior Leadership Team, • Location: Bristol (with occasional travel to project sites), • Employment Type: Full-time (standard hours are 10:00-18:00- flexibility) Role Overview:The Financial Controller will ensure financial accuracy and drive commercial success. You'll manage financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, payroll, compliance, and financial controls while also actively looking ahead to ensure the business is structured for sustainable profitability.This includes monitoring and improving project-level financial tracking, ensuring every activation is profitable, and working closely with the leadership team to identify growth opportunities, efficiencies, and risks before they impact the bottom line. Skills & Experience • Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent., • Minimum 5 years' experience in financial management or controller roles., • Proven ability to managing a small team, • Advanced proficiency in Xero, including payroll, project tracking, reporting, and integrations., • Proven ability to manage both business-level and project-level profitability., • Strong understanding of UK accounting, tax, and payroll compliance., • Experience in creative industries., • Familiarity with multi-entity / international financial operations., • Commercially minded with strong business acumen., • Forward-looking and proactive, with a focus on driving profitability., • Exceptional attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture., • Strong communication skills - able to translate financials into actionable strategies., • Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual management accounts via Xero., • Oversee budgeting and forecasting, including profit projections at both company and project level., • Develop and maintain clear dashboards and financial reports for senior management., • Monitor and manage company cash flow, ensuring adequate liquidity for operations and growth., • Lead cost control initiatives across the business, driving efficiencies without compromising delivery., • Oversee end-to-end payroll for all employees, freelancers, and contractors via Xero Payroll (or integrated system), ensuring accuracy and compliance with UK payroll legislation., • Manage pension contributions, holiday pay, and statutory payments in line with regulations., • Oversee debtor/creditor control within Xero and with suppliers, • Implement robust financial tracking for each activation/project and production element from quote to completion., • Monitor actual vs forecasted costs in real time, flagging risks and opportunities early., • Partner with project managers to ensure all jobs meet or exceed profitability targets., • Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax, and all statutory requirements., • Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and advisors., • Maximise Xero's capabilities, including reporting, project tracking, payroll, and integrations with add-on tools., • Identify and implement systems to automate and improve financial processes., • Train internal teams on finance processes and profitability awareness. What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or reach out to Charles Maidment from the Hays Bristol finance team. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career. Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk