Our client is a highly successful and scaling SME with UK and International operations. This newly created role comes at a pivotal point for the Group, driven by revenue growth, geographic expansion, and increasing financial complexity. It offers the opportunity to play a key role in ensuring the business scales with control, visibility, and confidence – an exciting prospect!
Overview of the Role
The UK Group Financial Controller will take full ownership of UK and Group financial control during a critical growth phase. Based in Aberdeen and reporting to the Managing Director, this role will act as the operational finance lead.
The position is hands-on, commercial, and delivery-focused. It will bridge the gap between a transactionally strong finance team and the Group’s need for clear financial insight, disciplined integration, cash control, and decision-ready reporting. This role truly owns the finance engine and will have considerable impact.
Key Responsibilities
Group & UK Financial Control
* Own UK statutory accounts, management accounts, and audit process
* Lead month-end close across UK entities
* Ensure balance sheet integrity (reconciliations, accruals, cut-off, revenue recognition)
* Harmonise accounting policies between UK and international entities
* Deliver clear, structured management reporting for senior stakeholders
Communication & Stakeholder Interface
* Translate financial outputs into practical insights for:
* Managing Director
* Operations leadership
* External advisors (auditors, accountants, lenders)
* Act as the primary finance communicator in the UK
* Turn data into decision-ready information
Acquisition & Integration Leadership
* Act as finance integration lead during acquisitions and post-completion
* Align chart of accounts, reporting packs, and financial processes
* Identify working capital inefficiencies and margin leakage
* Implement control standards (PO, contract, and cost approval discipline)
* Support earn-out, completion accounts, and integration reporting (as applicable)
Cash, Working Capital & Risk
* Provide weekly group cash visibility across the Group
* Manage debtor risk, credit limits, and aged receivables
* Support liquidity planning and intercompany funding flows
* Partner with the Managing Director on commercial risk (client concentration, margins, FX exposure)
Team Leadership & Capability Building
* Line management of UK finance staff
* Set standards, cadence, and accountability
* Build a scalable finance structure to support growth and M&A
* Maintain a “no surprises” culture financially
Background and Experience
* UK qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, or CIMA)
* Significant experience in SME or mid-market businesses (£20m–£100m)
* Experience within project-based, offshore, engineering, or services sectors
* Experience operating in multi-entity environments
* Strong integration or change experience (systems, processes, teams)
* Comfortable working within founder-led businesses
* Clear and confident communicator
* Commercially minded and pragmatic
* Hands-on mindset
* High sense of ownership
* Cross-border experience (UK and overseas HQ)
* M&A or post-acquisition integration experience
* Familiarity with VAT, intercompany structures, and FX
What’s on Offer
* A dynamic environment
* Rewarding conditions, including a bonus
* Career development - this is a scaling business offering fantastic growth opportunities
Next Steps
* If you are interested in this contract role, please apply here with a full CV. For a confidential discussion or more information, please reach out to Jane Grant at Cooper Parry Finance Recruitment on 07849 087 947 or