Financial Controller

I am currently recruiting a Financial Controller for a professional services organisation based in the Manchester area. My client has completed two acquisitions in the past 8 months, with a further planned for this year. The business is undergoing integration into a standardised finance environment, with a clear focus on building a scalable, data-driven operating model under a single entity brand. With strong backing from a supportive private equity partner and a clear national growth strategy, this is a rare opportunity to play a key role in shaping the financial infrastructure of a high-growth business. The Role: As Financial Controller, you will report directly to the CFO and have full ownership of the day-to-day finance function, while acting as a strategic partner to the CFO and wider executive team. This is a hands-on leadership role in a fast-paced, acquisitive environment, requiring a combination of technical excellence, commercial awareness and operational delivery. Supporting the CFO’s focus on strategy, M&A and investor relations, the Financial Controller will ensure the finance function is robust, scalable and operating effectively at pace. Key Responsibilities: * Own and continuously improve the month-end close process, ensuring timely, accurate and audit-ready financial reporting * Maintain full balance sheet integrity, with clear ownership, reconciliations and supporting documentation * Lead the year-end audit process, acting as primary contact for auditors and ensuring a smooth, low-adjustment audit * Oversee group consolidation and statutory reporting requirements * Own cash flow forecasting, daily cash management and medium-term liquidity planning * Drive improvements in working capital, including WIP, billing and debtor management * Lead budgeting and forecasting processes, including development of annual operating and capital budgets * Provide high-quality financial analysis and insight to support decision-making across the business * Prepare and deliver the finance section of the monthly Board pack, including KPI reporting and performance analysis * Own finance systems and data integrity, including development of scalable processes and reporting structures * Support financial due diligence on acquisitions and assess financial implications of potential transactions * Lead financial integration of acquired businesses, including systems migration, control alignment and reporting standardisation * Deliver timely and accurate reporting to the Board, private equity investors and lenders * Take ownership of lender covenant calculations and reporting * Support the CFO in managing relationships with key stakeholders including investors, lenders, auditors and advisers Key Requirements * ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified (or equivalent) with strong post-qualification experience * Proven track record of delivering high-quality, timely financial reporting and maintaining robust financial controls in a scaling environment * Experience within a professional services or business services environment (legal and regulatory sector experience strongly preferred) * Strong understanding of WIP accounting, revenue recognition and working capital management * Private equity experience preferred, ideally within a buy-and-build environment * Demonstrated experience in financial due diligence and post-acquisition integration * Strong finance systems capability, with experience improving or implementing finance or practice management systems * Excellent leadership and communication skills, with the ability to influence at all levels