Interim Financial Controller
| Posting date: | 17 November 2025 |
|---|---|
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 17 December 2025 |
| Location: | Bristol, Bristol, BS1 6AD |
| Remote working: | On-site only |
| Company: | Hays Specialist Recruitment |
| Job type: | Temporary |
| Job reference: | 4745172_1763398114 |
Summary
- Job Title: Financial Controller
- Reports to: Founders / Senior Leadership Team
- Location: Bristol (with occasional travel to project sites)
- Employment Type: Full-time (standard hours are 10:00-18:00- flexibility)
- Office based in central Bristol (no parking) 4 days in/ 1-day WFH available
We're looking for a commercially savvy, detail-driven Financial Controller to take ownership of the financial operations for this Bristol start-up (you will be the first finance hire), ensuring the business has the insight, structure, and control needed to support continued growth in the UK and internationally.
Role Overview:The Financial Controller will ensure financial accuracy and drive commercial success. You'll manage financial reporting, budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, payroll, compliance, and financial controls while also actively looking ahead to ensure the business is structured for sustainable profitability.This includes monitoring and improving project-level financial tracking, ensuring every activation is profitable, and working closely with the leadership team to identify growth opportunities, efficiencies, and risks before they impact the bottom line.
Skills & Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA) or equivalent.
- Minimum 5 years' experience in financial management or controller roles.
- Proven ability to managing a small team
- Advanced proficiency in Xero, including payroll, project tracking, reporting, and integrations.
- Proven ability to manage both business-level and project-level profitability.
- Strong understanding of UK accounting, tax, and payroll compliance.
- Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills.
Desirable:
- Experience in creative industries.
- Familiarity with multi-entity / international financial operations.
- Experience implementing financial systems for project profitability tracking.
Personal Attributes
- Commercially minded with strong business acumen.
- Forward-looking and proactive, with a focus on driving profitability.
- Exceptional attention to detail without losing sight of the bigger picture.
- Strong communication skills - able to translate financials into actionable strategies.
- Collaborative and approachable, with the ability to work cross-functionally.
Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management & Reporting
- Prepare accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual management accounts via Xero.
- Oversee budgeting and forecasting, including profit projections at both company and project level.
- Develop and maintain clear dashboards and financial reports for senior management.
- Produce and present commercial insights, highlighting opportunities for increased profitability.
Cash Flow, Payroll & Cost Control
- Monitor and manage company cash flow, ensuring adequate liquidity for operations and growth.
- Lead cost control initiatives across the business, driving efficiencies without compromising delivery.
- Oversee end-to-end payroll for all employees, freelancers, and contractors via Xero Payroll (or integrated system), ensuring accuracy and compliance with UK payroll legislation.
- Manage pension contributions, holiday pay, and statutory payments in line with regulations.
- Oversee debtor/creditor control within Xero and with suppliers
- Manage all insurance requirements for the business
Project Profitability & Tracking
- Implement robust financial tracking for each activation/project and production element from quote to completion.
- Monitor actual vs forecasted costs in real time, flagging risks and opportunities early.
- Partner with project managers to ensure all jobs meet or exceed profitability targets.
- Analyse past project performance to improve future pricing, quoting, and budgeting accuracy.
Compliance & Governance
- Ensure compliance with HMRC regulations, VAT, PAYE, Corporation Tax, and all statutory requirements.
- Liaise with external accountants, auditors, and advisors.
- Maintain internal financial controls and risk management processes.
Systems & Process Improvement
- Maximise Xero's capabilities, including reporting, project tracking, payroll, and integrations with add-on tools.
- Identify and implement systems to automate and improve financial processes.
- Train internal teams on finance processes and profitability awareness.
What you need to do now If you're interested in this role, click 'apply now' to forward an up-to-date copy of your CV, or reach out to Charles Maidment from the Hays Bristol finance team. If this job isn't quite right for you, but you are looking for a new position, please contact us for a confidential discussion about your career.
Hays Specialist Recruitment Limited acts as an employment agency for permanent recruitment and employment business for the supply of temporary workers. By applying for this job you accept the T&C's, Privacy Policy and Disclaimers which can be found at hays.co.uk