Astral Recruitment
Financial Controller (1)
Job Description:
Responsible to: Accounts & Audit Department Manager
Direct Reports: Accounts Department Juniors and Semi-Seniors
Job Purpose:
To ensure that client affairs are dealt with promptly, to a consistently high standard and that deadlines are met.
To assist managers, directors and accounts team members so that clients are delighted with the service they receive from the company
Key Responsibilities, accountability and duties
Completion of business services work for client
Control the completion of all business services work required for clients who require additional support in their finance function.
- Typically work will include completion of all or some of the following:
- Bookkeeping - VAT Returns - CIS Returns - Forms P11D - Management Accounts - Opening Balance Adjustments - Payroll Assistance - Financial Forecasts
Work individually with occasional support of junior or semi-senior accounts staff
Complete work both in office and at clients premises as required Report to either manager or director level
Recommend to managers and directors ways to reduce the clients tax liabilities Pro-actively offer assistance to managers and directors
Interrogation, improvement and implementation of accounting systems
Assist clients and colleagues to interrogate and understand bespoke and off-the-shelf accounting software and systems
Assist clients and colleagues to review financial systems and processes and recommend improvements
Assist clients and colleagues to implement new financial systems and processes
Accounting software support
Be a primary support contact when in the office for client queries regarding Sage 50 and Xero
Keep up to date with features and benefits of all market leading accounting software and applications through professional reading, research, webinars, training courses and trials
Maintain good working knowledge of all accounting software and applications recommended by the company through review and trial of all product updates and attendance of webinars, training courses and meetings with suppliers
Recommend to directors new accounting software and applications that could be beneficial to the firm and/or clients
Outsourced Financial Controller service
From time to time as required, assume interim control of a client’s accounting function Direct client’s finance staff as required
Review financial reporting systems and identify improvements Implement changes to systems and processes
Bring all outstanding financial reporting tasks up to date Prepare management accounts, manage cash-flow and forecasting Attend meetings with senior management
Assist recruitment of finance personnel
Continued Professional Development
Keep up to date with changes in the accounting profession by professional reading, research, webinars and training courses
Complete the annual CPD requirements of relevant professional bodies in order to maintain memberships.
Supervising client work
Maintain good relationships with all clients
Ensure clients receive the expected level of service Maintain the agreed service levels of the accounts department
Meet or exceed agreed deadlines
Take ownership of all work assigned
Understand what each client does and their plans for the future Identify specific cross-selling opportunities and monitor and progress these with clients
Assist to reduce debtors and work in progress
Optimise the billing and profitability potential of all work assigned Assist with monthly billing processes
Communication
Communicate in a professional manner at all times with clients, potential clients, colleagues and third parties
Communicate effectively with clients to obtain information and answers to queries in a timely manner Be able to adjust communication style to suit the knowledge of the client
Communicate regularly with managers and directors to update them on the progress of work Respond promptly to e-mails and telephone calls from clients and colleagues
Provide clear instructions and communicate deadlines for completion of work to help prioritise work Resolve client complaints and queries within three days to the satisfaction of the client and Director Draft letters and e-mails for sending to clients or for approval of managers and directors
Liaise with staff in other departments to ensure all work is completed efficiently and to required deadline Update intranet with information to share knowledge with colleagues, improve efficiencies and comply with Practice Assurance requirements
New clients and selling services
Contribute to HWB’s initiatives for developing new business Identify opportunities to win new clients or cross sell Understand all HWB services and cross sell to existing clients
Assist with the preparation of fee quotations for new work Attend new client meetings with managers and directors when required Obtain information to comply with Money Laundering Regulations
Prepare engagement letters
Staff development and training
Address queries from accounts department staff and resolve them in a timely and fair manner
Complete assignment appraisal forms in accordance with company procedures