Financial Controller / Head of Finance

Financial Controller / Head of Finance - Carlisle - Salary up to £85,000 + bonus + benefits

My client is a locally rooted, award-winning specialist manufacturing company with a strong global footprint, supplying to a diverse and prestigious customer base across multiple sectors. As part of their continued growth and innovation journey, we are recruiting a talented Financial Controller / Head of Finance to join their dynamic Head Office team in Carlisle.
Reporting directly to the ambitious and forward-thinking Managing Director, this is a pivotal leadership role overseeing both Finance and IT functions. You will lead a small, capable team and take full ownership of all accounting activities, ensuring robust financial processes and accurate reporting. Beyond the numbers, you'll play a key role in driving continuous improvement initiatives, contributing to the strategic direction and operational excellence of the business.
Typical duties include:

Take ownership of leading and managing the Accounts department and the team's responsibilities.

Promote a culture of continuous improvement; leading by example in driving efficiency in the Accounts team's own business processes and producing live, inventive MI and KPI's to promote ownership and accountability across the company's managers to improve the financial success and profitability of the business.

Ensure timely preparation of company forecasts and annual budgets (including P&L and CAPEX).

Ensure monthly and annual accounts are accurately prepared and submitted in a timely manner.

Produce a range of financial reports (monthly/quarterly/annually) to ensure the Directors and Managers within the business are kept informed of progress against budget.

Build and maintain positive relationships with the company's banks and effectively manage all business bank accounts, ensuring that cash flow is carefully monitored.

Oversee the management of all accounting transactions and purchase ledger payments, including invoices, bills, and accounts payable and receivable (both UK and international).

Oversee submission of monthly HMRC PAYE and VAT payments, Irish VAT returns and government grant claims.

Manage overseas compliance, including producing accounts for an overseas USA-based entity, liaising with US accountants, managing reporting requirements in relation to the Middle East branch

Act as the owner and point of contact for the company's accounting system, ensuring the system in place is effective and fit for purpose.

The skills and experience required for this job include: -
The successful candidate will be a Qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) with a min of 5 years' experience in a similar role.
Experience in the manufacturing sector and international accounting would be an advantage. You will be an excellent communicator with strong commercial acumen and ability to liaise at all levels internally and externally.
You will be an experienced people manager able to motivate, empower and drive performance and enjoy working in a growth environment.
The successful appointee will be ambitious for themselves, the team and the business.
What you'll get in return:
Highly competitive salary in the region of £70,000-£85,000 dependent on experienceManagement Bonus - up to a 10% bonus each year, subject to the achievement of company and personal objectives.Hours - 36.3 per week: 08:30 - 16:50 Mondays - Thursdays and 08:30 - 16:30 on Fridays, 1-hour lunch break33 days annual leave including bank holidays, plus an incremental day at 3- and 5-year tenureYour birthday off, no annual leave requiredOption of 1 day per week WFH and flexibility to WFH over busy periodsPension: 3% employer contributionDIS benefit 4 x salaryWellbeing platform for employees
This role is managed by Laura Latimer for Hays Senior Finance. For a confidential conversation and to review the full job specification,please contact me directly on /

What you need to do now

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