Financial Controller

Direct Reports: 1x Assistant Management Accountant, 1x Accounts Assistant, 1x Sales Ledger Clerk

The successful candidate will join Debar at an exciting juncture, as the business embarks on an ambitious growth journey, both in the UK and internationally, supported by a pipeline of innovative new products.

Reporting directly to the Managing Director, the Financial Controller will play a key role in guiding the company’s financial strategy.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Management & Reporting:

• Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual accounts in accordance with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Ensure timely and accurate reporting of financial results to the Board, with executive-level commentary on business performance.
• Lead the annual audit process, acting as the primary contact with external auditors.
• Develop and monitor key financial metrics to track the company’s performance.

Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead and mentor a small, effective finance team of three.
• Provide training and development opportunities to team members, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Allocate tasks and responsibilities, ensuring efficient and effective workflows

Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Lead the annual budgeting process, working with department heads to develop realistic budgets aligned with company objectives.
• Prepare rolling forecasts to provide insights into future financial performance, identifying potential risks and opportunities.
• Monitor budget performance and provide variance analysis to management.

Cash Flow Management:

Oversee cash flow planning and ensure availability of funds as needed.

Manage working capital, including overseeing accounts receivable, accounts payable, and inventory management.

Develop strategies to optimise cash flow and reduce costs where possible.

Internal Controls & Compliance:

• Maintain and improve internal controls over financial reporting to safeguard company assets, including balance sheet reconciliations.
• Serve as a key point of contact for compliance with relevant financial regulations and tax authorities.
• Oversee the implementation and maintenance of financial systems and policies.

Strategic Financial Support:

• Provide financial analysis and insights to support strategic decisions, including potential investments, expansions, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Participate in business development discussions, providing financial input to support growth initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Board on financial planning and strategy development.

Operational Costing & Performance Monitoring:

• Oversee the accurate costing of manufacturing processes, ensuring that product costing reflects actual production costs.
• Conduct variance and yield analysis, partnering with the production team to address and improve discrepancies.
• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) related to operational efficiency, productivity, and cost management, including warehousing and distribution.
• Partner with operational team, providing financial insights to optimise processes and reduce costs.

Systems & Technology Collaboration:

• Collaborate with the IT and Digital teams to identify opportunities for improvements in finance systems and software.
• Drive the adoption of technology to improve and streamline financial reporting, forecasting, and analysis capabilities.
• Lead cross-functional projects with IT and Digital to enhance business systems and processes, including playing a key role in a new ERP project.

Qualifications and Experience:

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent qualification.
• Proven experience in a similar role, ideally with strong manufacturing experience.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience with financial reporting standards.
• Experience managing and developing a finance team.
• Proficiency with accounting software and other digital systems. ERP implementation experience is a distinct advantage.
• A “data-first” mentality with strong data manipulation skills (Excel, Power Query, PowerBI, SQL or similar)
• Excellent communication and people skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail.

Personal Attributes:

• Strategic thinker with a hands-on approach, willing to assist with day-to-day tasks when needed (such as during holidays).
• Proactive and solutions-oriented mindset.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.

Working Conditions:

• Full-time position ( 39 hours) with occasional overtime as required.
• This role currently requires being on-site 5 days a week to allow close collaboration across the business, particularly with our manufacturing and warehouse teams who work on-site each day.