Financial Controller

About the Company

Our client is a scaling PE backed service business in Preston who are entering an exciting phase of growth and transformation. With a focus on strengthening its operational and financial infrastructure to support future expansion, Sowena Group have been retained to recruit for a Financial Controller. 

The Role

Reporting to the Finance Director, the Financial Controller will lead transformation of the finance function. This is a high-impact role focused on embedding strong governance, improving reporting capability and building scalable financial processes to support continued growth.

This position offers a clear pathway to Finance Director designation for the right individual, making it an excellent opportunity for someone looking to step into a broader leadership role. The successful candidate will take ownership of financial control, reporting and systems, while supporting strategic decision-making across the business. This is a hands-on role requiring someone comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Ownership of the month-end close process
• Produce high quality monthly management reporting for senior stakeholders
• Deliver insightful financial analysis, including performance tracking and variance analysis
• Business partnering with operational teams to support profitability and cost management
• Lead the implementation of a new accounting system and oversee the system integration to ensure accurate and efficient reporting
• Review and improve finance processes to improve control and efficiency
• Develop systems and reporting frameworks to support future growth
• Design and implement appropriate financial controls and governance frameworks, ensuring compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
• Maintain strong balance sheet oversight, including cash flow and working capital management
• Act as the key contact for external advisors and audit processes
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting, including cashflow forecasting
• Support strategic planning, scenario planning and financial modelling
• Manage and develop the finance team, promoting accountability, accuracy and continuous improvement

About You

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Experience in a hands-on role in a growing or mid-sized business environment
• Proven track record of finance transformation or systems implementation
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to translate financial data into insight
• Advanced Excel skills and strong systems capability
• Confident communicator with the ability to engage stakeholders at all levels

Why Join?

• Clear progression path to Finance Director in a PE backed business
• Opportunity to shape and build a finance function
• Strategic involvement in business growth and decision-making