Full job descriptionMost FC adverts promise "progression" and mean "we’ll think about it in three years". This one is different – the CFO said it to us directly: he wants someone ambitious enough to use this role as a stepping stone, and he’ll back them to do it. CMA Recruitment Group is partnering with a multi-site group headquartered in central Southampton – a genuinely interesting business with £15m+ turnover across four entities, where finance sits close to the operation and you can see the impact of your numbers from the office window.

The CFO is new in post, ambitious, and currently buried in month end when he should be doing strategy. He isn’t looking for a caretaker – he’s looking for someone to genuinely take it off him, with real ownership from day one and no layers between you and the decision-maker. If you’re a strong finance manager ready for your first FC title, or an early-stage FC who wants a bigger canvas, this is the profile he’s asked us to find.

What will the Group Financial Controller role involve?

• Taking full ownership of month-end close and management accounts across a four-entity group
• Leading and developing a small, hard-working finance team covering AP, AR and payroll
• Owning financial controls and the improvement agenda – people, processes and systems
• Managing daily cash and treasury across multiple group bank accounts
• Preparing consolidated statutory accounts, with exposure to UK corporation tax and VAT

Suitable Candidate for the Group Financial Controller vacancy:

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with multi-entity consolidation experience
• NetSuite a big plus; advanced Excel a given
• High-volume transaction or timesheet-based workforce exposure helps
• The non-negotiable: low ego – this is a small business where everyone mucks in, including you
• Ready to step up – a first FC appointment or early-stage FC wanting a bigger canvas

Additional benefits and information for the role of Group Financial Controller:

• £70,000 - £80,000 salary, depending on experience, with a bonus and share scheme in development
• The honest bit: five days in the office to start – but the hybrid plan is real, with a move planned post-probation and ad hoc flexibility from day one for life’s admin
• Hours 8am–5pm with flex on start and finish times; a 37.5-hour week pro rata can be considered
• Private healthcare, death in service, pension, and 25 days’ leave plus bank holidays
• Central Southampton with free parking – anyone who’s commuted into the city knows what that’s worth

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