Financial Controller

Salary: £70,000–£90,000Location: Bristol (Hybrid)

A fast-growing UK SME undergoing a period of significant investment and expansion is looking for an experienced Financial Controller to strengthen its finance function. This role offers the opportunity to work closely with operational teams and senior leadership while shaping financial processes in a scaling business.

The Role

You will lead the Finance team and take responsibility for management reporting, stock and project accounting, financial controls, and continuous improvement across the function. The ideal candidate will be commercially minded, detail-driven, and confident working in a dynamic, evolving environment.

Key Responsibilities

Management Accounts

• Produce monthly management accounts (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
• Provide variance analysis and performance insights.
• Contribute to budgeting and forecasting.
• Develop KPI reporting for senior management.
• Support improvements in reporting accuracy and internal controls.

Stock Accounting

• Maintain accurate inventory valuation and reconciliations.
• Manage stock adjustments, write-offs, and obsolescence.
• Monitor COGS and margin performance.
• Work with operational teams on stock controls and periodic counts.
• Investigate discrepancies and strengthen stock processes.

Project Accounting

• Track project budgets, costs, profitability and revenue recognition.
• Reconcile WIP and accrued income.
• Support project managers with financial reporting.
• Ensure accurate cost allocation and margin analysis.
• Highlight risks or variances early.

General Accounting & Controls

• Manage and develop the Finance team.
• Maintain balance sheet reconciliations.
• Support year-end audit and statutory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with UK accounting standards.
• Drive system and process enhancements.
• Provide ad-hoc financial analysis.

About You

Essential

• Qualified accountant (ACCA / CIMA / ACA or equivalent).
• Team management experience.
• Experience preparing management accounts in a UK SME.
• Strong background in stock and project/contract accounting.
• Confident working with ERP systems (e.g., Business Central, NetSuite, SAP).
• Strong Excel and analytical skills.
• Able to communicate clearly with non-finance colleagues.

Desirable

• Experience in project-led or production-focused environments.
• Understanding of revenue recognition and WIP accounting.

Personal Attributes

• High accuracy and attention to detail.
• Commercially aware and operationally curious.
• Collaborative and confident working across teams.
• Continuous improvement mindset.