Financial Controller – Multi-Site Dental Practice Group
Location: Head Office - Watford
Reports to: CEO / Directors
Direct reports: Finance Manager/Bookkeepers (incl. offshore team)
Systems: Xero, Excel
Monday - Friday 40 hours/week
Role purpose
Own the group's finance function end-to-end: produce accurate, timely MI; lead cash flow forecasting and scenario planning; analyse trends and operational drivers (e.g., UDAs, payor mix); strengthen controls; and partner with Operations to improve profitability and cash.
Key responsibilities
Management information (MI) & reporting
* Produce the monthly board MI pack within 7 working days: P&L by site, balance sheet, cash flow, KPI dashboard (UDAs vs target, hygiene revenues, payor mix, clinician productivity, wage %, lab %, consumables %, debtor days, cash conversion, EBITDA).
* Variance analysis vs budget/forecast; insight comments and clear actions for site managers.
* Weekly flash: revenue by site, UDAs delivered, cash received, payroll run rate, AP/AR headlines.
Cash flow & working capital
* Maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow (base & downside cases); scenario planning, interest rates, new-starter ramp-up.
* Drive cash conversion: collections strategy for various income streams; reduce debtor days; optimise payment terms and stock.
* Monitor covenants and support funding/CapEx cases.
Trend & performance analysis
* Analyse group performance and link to revenue and staffing.
* Track payor mix (NHS/private/plan/IMOS) and gross margin by service line
* Chair-time utilisation, no-shows/cancellations, average fee per hour, marketing ROI.
Financial control & compliance
* Close month-end on a tight timetable: complete balance sheet recs (banks, control accounts, accruals, prepayments, deposits, deferred income/plan income).
* Ensure robust revenue recognition (NHS UDAs, private, Denplan/DPAS), treatment WIP, refunds/chargebacks.
* Oversee AP (P2D) and expense policy, approvals matrix, supplier onboarding and contract register.
* VAT (incl. partial exemption considerations), PAYE, HMRC filings; support external audit and insurers.
* Maintain financial policies/SOPs and internal controls across sites.
Leadership & business partnering
* Lead and coach the bookkeeping team (including offshore). Set SLAs, QA checks, and training.
* Partner with Operations on rota planning, recruitment economics, pricing, and cost control.
* Build simple, automated dashboards (Power BI/Excel/Caragon) and standardise site scorecards.
Projects & systems
* Own finance systems roadmap (Xero, payment gateways).
* Support acquisitions/onboarding (opening balances, TUPE/payroll setup, supplier migration).
* Continuous improvement: shorten close, automate reconciliations, reduce manual touchpoints.
Success metrics (KPIs)
* MI pack delivered ≤ Day +7 with zero material errors.
* Cash forecast accuracy within ±5% weekly; debtor days ↓ and AP days optimised.
* Month-end close ≤ Day +5 (core ledgers reconciled).
* Audit points closed on time; 100% statutory/tax compliance.
Experience & qualifications
* Qualified accountant ACA/ACCA/CIMA (or finalist with strong FC experience).
* 5+ years in multi-site SME or healthcare/clinics preferred; private + NHS revenue mix advantageous.
* Strong month-end ownership, cash management, and KPI storytelling.
* Advanced Excel/Power Query; experience with Xero, and comfort with Carestack/WorkDigital data.
Personal attributes
* Commercial, hands-on, calm under pressure.
* Clear communicator; can challenge constructively and drive actions.
* Process-minded with high attention to detail and data integrity.
Working pattern
* Full-time
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: £40,000.00-£50,000.00 per year
Benefits:
* Work from home
Work Location: In person
Reference ID: SCG Financial Controller
Expected start date: 01/09/2025