Financial Controller
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Salary
£85000 - £95000 per annum
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Location
Hertford, Hertfordshire
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Job type
Permanent
Apply now
The Financial Controller will report directly to the CEO and will lead a finance team responsible for payroll, purchase ledger, credit control, and operational cost management. The role is crucial in ensuring accurate financial control over labour-intensive contracts, maintaining margin performance, and providing actionable insight to support operational decision-making.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Overseeing payroll operations for over 2000 employees across weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payroll cycles Ensuring payroll processes are accurate, compliant and efficiently executed
* Preparing monthly management accounts and financial reports for senior leadership
* Maintaining strong financial controls, reconciliations, and supporting year-end audits
* Monitoring labour costs across contracts, teams, and regions, highlighting any variances or emerging margin erosion
* Producing detailed labour cost analyses, variance reports, and investigating anomalies such as overtime or excess hours
* Leading and developing the finance team, ensuring operational efficiency, clear processes, and accountability
* Working with operational teams to ensure cost-effective resource utilisation and financial discipline
* Identifying opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting, and operational processes
* Supporting the implementation of improved financial controls and automation where appropriate
* Providing commercial insight to operational leadership teams and challenging cost performance constructively
Candidate requirements:
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or highly experienced Financial Controller - Part-qualified is also considered
* Proven experience managing finance teams in operationally focused businesses
* Comfortable overseeing high-volume, multi-cycle payroll environments
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial control discipline
* Experienced working closely with operational leadership teams
* Exposure to facilities management, cleaning, logistics, retail, hospitality, or similar large hourly workforce environments would be advantageous
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships across the business
Salary: Competitive
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. This is a fully office based position, with free parking on-site
Benefits include: Health cash plan, death in service, team volunteering days, annual company-wide social events, birthday leave and various in-house schemes to forward hard-work and promote a positive, team orientated culture.
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive finance professional to take ownership of a complex operational finance function, influence business performance, and contribute directly to the ongoing growth and success of a dynamic organisation.
Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
* Overseeing payroll operations for over 2000 employees across weekly, fortnightly, and monthly payroll cycles Ensuring payroll processes are accurate, compliant and efficiently executed
* Preparing monthly management accounts and financial reports for senior leadership
* Maintaining strong financial controls, reconciliations, and supporting year-end audits
* Monitoring labour costs across contracts, teams, and regions, highlighting any variances or emerging margin erosion
* Producing detailed labour cost analyses, variance reports, and investigating anomalies such as overtime or excess hours
* Leading and developing the finance team, ensuring operational efficiency, clear processes, and accountability
* Working with operational teams to ensure cost-effective resource utilisation and financial discipline
* Identifying opportunities to improve financial systems, reporting, and operational processes
* Supporting the implementation of improved financial controls and automation where appropriate
* Providing commercial insight to operational leadership teams and challenging cost performance constructively
Candidate requirements:
* Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) or highly experienced Financial Controller - Part-qualified is also considered
* Proven experience managing finance teams in operationally focused businesses
* Comfortable overseeing high-volume, multi-cycle payroll environments
* Strong attention to detail and commitment to financial control discipline
* Experienced working closely with operational leadership teams
* Exposure to facilities management, cleaning, logistics, retail, hospitality, or similar large hourly workforce environments would be advantageous
* Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships across the business
Salary: Competitive
Working Hours: 37.5 hours per week, Monday-Friday. This is a fully office based position, with free parking on-site
Benefits include: Health cash plan, death in service, team volunteering days, annual company-wide social events, birthday leave and various in-house schemes to forward hard-work and promote a positive, team orientated culture.
This is an excellent opportunity for a proactive finance professional to take ownership of a complex operational finance function, influence business performance, and contribute directly to the ongoing growth and success of a dynamic organisation.
Huntress does not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, disability, creed or sexual orientation and complies with all relevant UK legislation. PLEASE NOTE! You should make yourself aware of how immigration laws apply to your situation before applying for any jobs. We are acting as a Recruitment Business in relation to this role.
Date
13/03/2026
Job Ref.
af130326
Kate Ellis
Head of Accountancy & Finance Recruitment – Essex & Hertfordshire
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