Financial Controller

Portsmouth | Up to £75,000 DOE | Construction / Civil Engineering

Cameron James Professional Recruitment is working with an established construction and contracting business that is looking to appoint an experienced Financial Controller to join its senior finance team

This is a broad, hands-on Financial Controller position with responsibility for the day-to-day finance function alongside providing commercial and financial support to senior management. The role will manage a small finance team and work closely with operational and project-based colleagues across the business.

The position is based in Portsmouth, with a preference for the successful candidate to be in the office at least three days per week. There may be some flexibility around hybrid working.

The Role

Reporting to the Commercial Director, responsibilities will include:

• Taking ownership of the monthly management accounts and financial reporting process.
• Producing budgets, forecasts and financial analysis for senior management.
• Preparing annual statutory accounts and coordinating the year-end audit process.
• Managing balance sheet controls, general ledger activity and the wider accounting function.
• Maintaining and reviewing short-term cash-flow forecasts, including a rolling 13-week forecast.
• Monitoring working capital and supporting effective cash and liquidity management.
• Working closely with project and operational teams to monitor contract performance, project costs, margins and profitability.
• Overseeing accounts payable, accounts receivable and payroll activities.
• Reviewing and strengthening financial controls, procedures and reporting processes.
• Managing VAT, PAYE, corporation tax and CIS requirements, working with external advisers where appropriate.
• Managing banking relationships, facilities and treasury-related matters.
• Providing financial modelling and commercial analysis to support business decisions.
• Supporting senior management with financial risk management, investment decisions and business planning.
• Leading, supporting and developing two members of the finance team.
• Supporting wider corporate, insurance and employee ownership/share scheme-related financial requirements.

The Candidate

We are looking for an experienced finance professional who can demonstrate:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification.
• Previous experience as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or in a comparable senior finance position.
• Experience gained within construction, civil engineering, infrastructure or another relevant contracting environment.
• Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting experience.
• A good understanding of project accounting, contract profitability and cost control.
• Experience of cash-flow forecasting and working-capital management.
• Knowledge of UK statutory accounting requirements and FRS 102 / UK GAAP.
• Working knowledge of VAT, PAYE, corporation tax and CIS.
• Experience managing or supervising finance staff.
• Strong Excel skills and confidence working with accounting/ERP systems.
• The ability to work effectively with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
• Experience within an employee-owned business or exposure to employee share schemes would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Package

Salary: Up to £75,000, dependent upon experience

• Company bonus scheme
• 3% employer pension contribution
• Potential car allowance
• Private healthcare
• Potential hybrid working
• Portsmouth-based, with a preference for at least three days per week in the office

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced Financial Controller to take ownership of a broad finance function while working closely with senior management in a commercially focused, project-led business.