Financial Controller

Location: West Bromwich

Reporting to: Finance Director

Sector: UK Wastewater

9 Month Fixed Term Contract

The Company

We are a fast-growing, private equity-backed business operating in the UK wastewater sector. With annual revenues of £30–40m and strong organic and acquisitive growth ambitions, the business delivers specialist wastewater treatment and infrastructure to the UK wastewater market.

The Role

The company is undergoing significant growth and professionalisation and requires a Financial Controller to lead the finance function, strengthen financial controls, ensure robust reporting and support the strategic growth ambitions.

This is a hands-on leadership role suited to a commercially astute finance professional with experience in a private equity-backed or high-growth environment.

Key Responsibilities:

Financial Reporting & Control

• Lead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate management accounts
• Support the delivery of robust board packs with clear KPI reporting and financial analysis
• Ensure compliance with UK GAAP and statutory reporting requirements
• Oversee annual audit process and manage relationships with external auditors
• Develop and maintain strong internal financial controls and governance frameworks
• Management of payroll, pension, VAT and CIS submissions
• Management of a finance team of six

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Manage cash flow forecasting and liquidity planning
• Drive working capital optimisation (WIP, debtors, creditors)
• Support banking relationships

Commercial & Operational Support

• Partner with operational leadership to improve margin, cost control and contract performance
• Provide financial insight into pricing, bids and capital expenditure decisions
• Develop and track key operational KPIs aligned to wastewater service delivery

Systems & Process Improvement

• Drive improvements in finance systems, reporting automation and data integrity
• Enhance financial planning & analysis capability
• Lead and develop the finance team

Candidate Profile

• ACA / ACCA / CIMA qualified
• Strong technical accounting background
• Experience in a £20m–£50m turnover SME environment
• Strong cash flow and working capital management experience
• Advanced Excel and financial modelling skills
• Experience in long term contract accounting within the infrastructure / construction sectors
• ERP system implementation or upgrade experience

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on and pragmatic
• Commercially minded with strong analytical capability
• Resilient and comfortable operating in a fast-paced, evolving environment
• Strong communicator with the ability to influence non-financial stakeholders
• Delivery-focused with high attention to detail