Financial Controller

Job title: Financial Controller

Company: Sharp Consultancy


Job description: ​Throughout my career as a specialist recruiter in professional practice, I’ve had the privilege of working with many talented, ambitious accountants, and some have progressed faster than others. While every journey is unique, there are clear patterns in what helps people move from trainee roles into more senior finance jobs within professional practice. Drawing from this experience, I’ve put together a set of strategies anyone can adopt to accelerate their career up the professional practice ladder. These tactics have proven to be highly effective for those aiming to achieve their professional goals efficiently and successfully. ​​Embrace Increasing Responsibility​As you begin your career in accountancy, the scope of your duties often starts with basic tasks such as data entry, reconciling accounts, and preparing reports. While these tasks are important for building a foundation, taking on more responsibility is key to developing the skills and experience needed for progression in practice.Start by volunteering for more complex tasks that stretch your skillset, such as handling larger client accounts, managing financial forecasting, or (if possible) participating in audits. These challenges will expose you to new aspects of accountancy and allow you to learn beyond the day-to-day duties. Another way to progress quickly is by taking on leadership roles within a team or department. Taking on the responsibility of overseeing junior staff, delegating tasks, and ensuring deadlines are met can significantly enhance your development and provide you with the invaluable ‘management experience’ which is essential for trainee accountants looking to advance to the next step in their professional practice careers. ​Continuous Learning and Self-Development​As you challenge yourself with new responsibilities, actively pursuing knowledge and development goes hand in hand with completing further qualifications. Traditionally, most accountants I work with are newly or nearly AAT qualified which is a fantastic accomplishment in itself but for those with aspirations of climbing the ladder the next step should be further studies. Qualifications such as the ACA, ACCA or CTA (depending on your chosen specialism) will allow you to strengthen your technical expertise. It’s worth mentioning here that a good training contract and mentor are invaluable for the next step in your journey and should be a big factor when deciding to look for a new role after completing your AAT. ​Finding a Mentor Another important aspect of progressing quickly in accountancy is developing relationships with more experienced colleagues, supervisors, and managers. By seeking mentorship from more experienced professionals, you can gain insights into how they managed their career progression. Also, they can guide you in taking on appropriate challenges and responsibilities and help you navigate the complexities of the profession. Many of the most successful finance professionals credit their career growth to strong mentorship relationships established early in their journey. ​Networking​Networking is one of the most underutilised tools for career progression in finance. While it might feel intimidating at first, networking allows you to connect with and learn from likeminded individuals, stay informed about trends in professional practice, and discover new opportunities. One of the primary reasons networking is important is that it helps build valuable relationships that can last your career. By connecting with colleagues, senior professionals, and other stakeholders, you gain access to a wealth of knowledge, insights, and opportunities that can propel your career forward. Ultimately, networking is not just about what you can gain but also about what you can offer to others. By fostering meaningful relationships, you contribute to a collaborative and supportive community that benefits everyone involved. Here at Sharp Consultancy, we host events across the year and have a long-standing relationship with various institutions and training groups including S&DCASS (Sheffield and District Chartered Accountants Student Society), LCASS (Leeds Chartered Accountants Students Society) and First Intuition to host events that bring studiers together from various firms throughout Yorkshire. It really is a brilliant first step in your networking journey. ​Whether you’re just starting out or already on your way up, accelerating your career in professional practice comes down to a mix of mindset, opportunity, and action. By embracing responsibility, committing to continuous learning, building genuine relationships, and tapping into the right support networks, you’ll put yourself in the best possible position to thrive. If you’d like to explore how to take that next step-or just want to chat through your options-I’d love to hear from you. Let’s connect and start shaping your future together. Charlie Marper, Business Manager, charliemarper@sharpconsultancy.com – 0114 261 1700 ​Looking for your next career move in finance or accountancy? At Sharp Consultancy, our expertise lies in matching your potential with the perfect temporary, interim, or permanent position. With a well-established presence in Leeds and Sheffield, our seasoned team of consultants extends their services across Yorkshire and beyond. Don’t wait for opportunity to knock, reach out to us TODAY and let’s chart your career path together. ​×Job details Posted 20 June 2025 Salary £65000 – £75000 LocationLeeds Job type Discipline , ReferenceLFI409022ConsultantManaging ConsultantFinancial ControllerJob description​We are seeking an experienced Financial Controller to join our growing finance team in Leeds. This is an excellent opportunity for a qualified accountant to take ownership of the financial management function and contribute to the strategic direction of the business.As Financial Controller, you will be responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial reporting, management accounting, and compliance, while working closely with senior management to drive business performance and growth.Key ResponsibilitiesFinancial Management & Reporting:Prepare monthly management accounts and statutory financial statementsOversee the annual audit process and liaise with external auditorsManage cash flow forecasting and working capital optimizationEnsure compliance with all statutory and regulatory requirementsManagement Accounting:Develop and maintain robust budgeting and forecasting processesProvide detailed variance analysis and business performance insightsSupport strategic decision-making with financial modeling and analysisImplement and improve financial controls and proceduresTeam Leadership:Line manage and develop the finance teamEnsure accurate and timely processing of all financial transactionsDrive process improvements and system enhancementsSupport month-end and year-end closing proceduresBusiness Partnering:Work closely with department heads to provide financial insightsSupport commercial decision-making and business case developmentContribute to strategic planning and business development initiativesEssential RequirementsQualified Accountant: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualifiedExperience: Minimum 5 years post-qualified experience in a similar roleTechnical Skills: Advanced Excel proficiency and experience with accounting software (Sage, Xero, or similar)Leadership: Proven experience managing and developing finance teamsCommunication: Excellent written and verbal communication skillsAnalytical: Strong analytical and problem-solving abilitiesDesirable RequirementsExperience in [industry sector] or similar commercial environmentKnowledge of tax compliance and VAT regulationsExperience with ERP systems implementation or optimizationPart-qualified or qualified in management accounting (CIMA)Experience with financial system integrations and process automation​​​​​​Sharp Consultancy is a finance and accountancy recruitment specialist assisting accounting and finance divisions of businesses in the Yorkshire and Derbyshire area. With over 30 years’ experience we pride ourselves on sourcing excellent finance professionals across all divisions of an accounts function.​Candidates must be eligible to work in the UK full time without restriction. To apply please send your CV to the e-mail address stated, quoting our reference and specifying which website you saw this position advertised on. Due to the high volume of applications, we receive it is not always possible to respond to unsuccessful applicants. Therefore, if we have not responded to your application within seven days, please note that on this occasion your application has not been successful.​Sign up for job alertsIf you are a human, ignore this field Create alertYou agree to ourShare this jobSimilar JobsLeedsPermanent£50,000 – £55,000 Free parking, hybrid working, pensionLeedsPermanent£70,000 – £75,000 Generous Annual Leave / Private Healthcare / Pension / Life Assurance / Employee Assistance / Hybrid WorkingWakefieldPermanent£60,000 – £65,000 Private Healthcare / Bonus / Pension / Hybrid WorkingBradfordPermanent£60,000 – £70,000 Private Healthcare / Bonus / Pension / DiscountsLeedsPermanent£60,000 – £70,000 Holiday Entitlement / Bonus / Car Allowance / Private Healthcare / Pension / Hybrid Working

Expected salary: £65000 – 75000 per year

Location: Leeds

Job date: Sun, 22 Jun 2025 03:42:07 GMT

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