Financial Controller

💼 Financial Controller 📍 Hybrid – Chelmsford, Essex 📄 Full-time – Permanent We're hiring a Financial Controller to play a key role in developing and leading the rec hub's in-house finance function. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced finance professional to take ownership of financial reporting, controls and processes, helping us build a robust and scalable finance operation as the business continues to grow. A key initial focus will be bringing our accounting function in-house, taking ownership of the transition from external support and establishing strong financial processes, reporting and controls. Working closely with our Finance & Operations Director, you'll play an important role in providing accurate financial insight, supporting business decisions and improving how we manage our finances. WHAT YOU'LL DO - Lead the transition from externally supported accounting to an effective in-house finance function. - Take ownership of the general ledger, month-end close and monthly management accounts. - Ensure accurate financial reporting across the P&L, balance sheet and cash flow. - Support budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management. - Monitor financial performance, identify trends and highlight risks and opportunities. - Oversee financial controls and provide technical guidance across day-to-day finance operations. - Manage relationships with external accountants, auditors and tax advisers, coordinating year-end and statutory reporting. - Take ownership of Xero and identify opportunities to improve systems, processes and automation. - Work closely with the Contracts & Finance Administrator, providing support and technical guidance. - Partner with the Finance & Operations Director to provide meaningful financial insight and support business decisions. WHAT YOU BRING - Ideally ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, although strong qualified-by-experience candidates will also be considered. - Experience working as a Financial Controller, Finance Manager or Senior Accountant. - Proven experience owning month-end processes and producing management accounts. - Strong technical accounting knowledge across profit and loss, balance sheet and cash flow. - Experience with budgeting, forecasting and year-end processes. - Experience improving finance processes or transitioning accounting activity in-house. - Strong systems capability, ideally including Xero and Excel. - Excellent attention to detail, with a proactive and commercially minded approach. - Confident communicating financial information and working with senior stakeholders. WHY THIS ROLE? This is an opportunity to take real ownership of a finance function and make a tangible impact on how the rec hub operates. You'll have the opportunity to shape processes, introduce improvements and build the foundations of a strong in-house finance operation, working closely with the Finance & Operations Director and wider leadership team.