About the role
With over 125 years of industry experience, WH Scott Group is a trusted leader serving clients across Europe. With offices throughout Ireland and the UK, we are expanding our team and now seeking Financial Controller for our UK Operations, based in London or Bristol.
The UK Financial Controller will take full ownership of all financial operations for WH Scott Group's UK businesses, including WHS (merged with RHC Lifting and Hutcheon Examination Services), ReRopes, and future acquisitions. With revenue expected to exceed £45m in the UK next year, this role will ensure strong compliance, accurate reporting, and efficient finance processes.
The Controller will lead local finance teams, deliver highquality management and statutory accounts, and partner with the Group CFO and Finance Manager on performance review, variance analysis, and integration of new businesses. This role is critical in scaling the UK business while maintaining financial discipline and driving best practice.
Key Interfaces: Group CFO, Irish Financial Controller, Group Finance & Planning Manager, Local BU Heads, Local Finance Team.
Objectives
Ensure financial integrity and compliance across all UK entities.
Manage the merger of WHS, RHC, and HES into a single corporate entity.
Support growth through successful integration of future acquisitions.
Partner with the CFO and Group Finance & Planning Manager to analyse results, investigate variances, and drive performance.
Introduce standardised WHS finance processes across all UK business units.
Identify synergies and efficiency opportunities from acquisitions and process improvements.
Key Responsibilities
Oversee UK entity monthend close, management reporting, and statutory accounts, payroll.
Ensure timely filing of statutory, tax, and audit requirements.
Manage and develop local finance staff, ensuring training, consistency, and growth.
Support working capital and cashflow management (credit control, supplier terms, treasury).
Partner with the Finance Manager to deliver budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis.
Drive finance process improvements and ERP optimisation across UK entities.
Lead finance integration of new acquisitions, including due diligence and onboarding.
Act as key point of contact for auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies in the UK.
Roll out WHS 'gold standard' finance processes across all business units.
Skills & Experience Required
Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) with 5+ years' PQE.
Proven track record as a Financial Controller in a multientity or group environment.
Experience in business integrations, system migrations, and process standardisation.
Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS.
ERP systems exposure, ideally Microsoft Business Central.
Excellent leadership skills with experience managing and developing teams.
Commercial acumen with the ability to partner operational leadership.
Target KPIs:
KPI
MonthEnd Close Accuracy & Timeliness
Within 5 working days
Group reporting accuracy >98%
Audit & Compliance
On time, no material findings
Statutory and tax compliance achieved
Entity Consolidation
WHS/RHC/HES merged within timeline
Legal and operational integration completed
Acquisition Integration
Within agreed timelines completion
At least two acquisitions integrated
Cash & Working Capital Management
DSO/DPO targets met
Cashflow forecasts accurate and timely
Synergy Identification & Delivery
Demonstrated savings annually
Supplier consolidation, overhead reduction, efficiency gains
Process Improvements
3-4 per year
ERP workflow, automation, reporting enhancements
Standardisation Across BUs
Rollout of WHS gold standard processes
Consistency in finance practices across entities
Team Development & Leadership
Positive staff retention and development
Strong UK finance team built
What we offer
Opportunity to join a rapidly expanding company
Excellent salary
Targeted bonus
Death in service payment
Company pension scheme
Employee assistance and wellbeing programmes
Subsidised gym membership
Join WH Scott Group and be part of a legacy that drives innovation, safety, and excellence!