Job Title: Financial Controller Location: Dagenham/Ilford/Romford area Reports To: Managing Director Salary: Competitive, dependent on experience Employment Type: Full-time, Permanent Company Overview Our company is a first-class provider of veterinary services. We're proud to be a dynamic and rapidly growing independent veterinary group, currently operating over 42 sites with plans to expand to 60 in the next year. We have a strong focus on delivering exceptional veterinary care and we are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, and financial transparency. You may be interested to learn that if you are a pet lover with a household companion, as an employee you automatically become eligible for 50% off the cost of your pet's treatment. Role Overview As Financial Controller, you will play a pivotal role in managing the financial health of the business. You will be a hands-on finance professional with deep expertise in financial management, reporting, and control, ensuring accurate and timely financial insights to support strategic decision-making. Given our rapid and exciting expansion, this role will require a proactive and commercially minded finance leader who is comfortable with the complexities of multi-site operations, cashflow management, audits, and M&A financial due diligence. The finance team is a small team and therefore the role will be very much a hands on financial controller, reconciliation work and reviewing processes in liaison with the companys external accountants. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced qualified accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA) who thrives in an infectiously fun, fast-paced, high-growth environment. Key Responsibilities/Financial Management & Reporting - Oversee all aspects of financial management, ensuring accuracy, compliance, and efficiency. - Produce and review monthly management accounts, P&L, and balance sheet reconciliations. - Take ownership of financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting, ensuring alignment with business goals. - Manage cashflow forecasting and liquidity planning across a growing group structure. - Ensure compliance with statutory reporting, VAT and corporate tax obligations. Systems & Process Improvement - Lead the optimisation and automation of financial processes to improve efficiency and accuracy. - Drive best practices in financial controls, ensuring scalability in line with business growth. - Act as the key finance lead for Xero accounting software, ensuring effective utilisation and improvements. Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) & Due Diligence - Support financial due diligence for acquisitions and integrations of new veterinary sites. - Provide valuation insights, risk assessments, and post-acquisition financial integration. - Work closely with external advisors and internal stakeholders during transactions. Audit, Compliance & Risk Management - Manage the external audit process, liaising with auditors and ensuring regulatory compliance. - Ensure robust financial governance, internal controls, and risk management across all sites. Leadership & Team Development - Support and mentor junior finance team members, fostering continuous development. - Work collaboratively with the wider finance and operational teams to drive financial performance. Person Specification Essential: - Qualified Accountant (CIMA, ACCA, ACA) with strong technical expertise. - Proven experience as a Financial Controller or similar role in a multi-site business. - Hands-on approach with a keen eye for detail and accuracy. - Skilled in Xero accounting software, with the ability to drive improvements and efficiencies. - Strong knowledge of cashflow management, audit processes, and financial controls. - Experience in M&A financial due diligence, including valuations and integrations. - Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with a commercial mindset. - Ability to work at pace in a rapidly expanding environment, adapting to change. - Excellent communication and leadership skills, able to liaise with senior stakeholders. Desirable: - Experience in the veterinary, healthcare, or multi-site service industries. - Knowledge of private equity-backed businesses or high-growth environments. - Familiarity with financial modelling and investor reporting. ADZN1_UKTJ