Group Financial Controller

Group Financial Controller

Reporting to: Group Chief Executive Officer

The Ethikos Group has been acquiring businesses since 2017 in an ethical, long-term way that promotes accountability, development, and investment. We are a multi-disciplined technical services group, built on engineering excellence, trusted delivery, and long-standing customer relationships. Together, our businesses bring decades of heritage and expertise, delivering mission-critical services across UK infrastructure, manufacturing, defence, utilities, and the built environment.

The Group Financial Controller will take full responsibility for the financial health of the company, providing strong leadership and insight to support decision-making, growth, and operational effectiveness.

This is a hands-on role for a commercially astute, CIMA-qualified finance professional with experience managing finance functions across a group structure. You will oversee all financial operations, ensure robust controls and accurate reporting, and provide strategic input to drive profitability and scalable growth.

The role includes building and refining financial systems and processes across The Ethikos Group and its operating companies. This means embedding scalable reporting, job costing, and cashflow tools that provide real-time insight to leadership. You will improve the quality, consistency, and efficiency of financial data and decision-support outputs, ensuring reporting evolves with the needs of a growing business.

As a key business partner, you will contribute to forecasting, profitability analysis, working capital optimisation, and long-term planning. Through continuous improvement, you will enhance transparency, risk management, and accountability across the group.

Financial Management & Control

• Oversee day-to-day operations including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow, working capital, and monthly reporting.
• Prepare and refine management accounts, costing reports, variance analysis, and dashboards for leadership and board use.
• Design and evolve financial systems, policies, and workflows to ensure scalability and efficiency.
• Establish structured month- and year-end close processes delivering audit-ready outputs.
• Implement and improve internal controls, governance, and financial risk management.
• Drive reporting efficiency through automation and standardised data flows.
• Embed rigorous cash and working capital practices including debtor tracking, terms optimisation, forecasting, and liquidity planning.

Commercial Finance & Business Partnering

• Provide clear, actionable insight to support operational and commercial decisions.
• Monitor project margins, WIP valuations, and cost-to-complete forecasts to ensure accurate revenue recognition.
• Build financial models and reporting tools to track profitability, support pricing, and increase visibility.
• Partner with managers and commercial teams to strengthen cost control and accountability.

Strategic Finance & Planning

• Work with the CEO and board to deliver long-term strategies aligned with growth and investment objectives.
• Lead budgeting and reforecasting, ensuring alignment with operational and commercial goals.
• Develop scenario models and sensitivity analyses highlighting risks, opportunities, and returns.
• Report against financial KPIs, advising leadership on sustainable performance and emerging threats.

Team Management & Systems

• Lead and mentor a high-performing finance team, embedding ownership and continuous improvement.
• Modernise finance systems and tools (e.g. accounting software, costing modules, dashboards) to improve accuracy and clarity.
• Drive automation, digitisation, and efficient reporting processes.
• Support finance-led change initiatives, including Sage upgrades and system migrations.
• Maintain strong relationships with auditors, banks, HMRC, and funding partners to protect compliance and financial stability.

Risk & Compliance

• Monitor compliance with VAT, PAYE, CIS, and all tax obligations, ensuring timely submissions.
• Ensure controls and reporting comply with accounting standards, governance, and regulations.
• Safeguard assets through robust risk management and insurance reviews.
• Manage funding relationships with transparent reporting, covenant tracking, and up-to-date models.

• Fully qualified accountant (CIMA essential; ACA/ACCA considered).
• Minimum 5 years’ post-qualification experience as Financial Controller.
• Experience of group accounting across multiple operating companies.
• Strong understanding of project accounting, contract cost control, and WIP reporting.
• Proven record of implementing systems, leading budgeting cycles, and managing audits.
• Advanced Sage knowledge and financial modelling expertise.
• Commercially minded with ability to challenge, influence, and support non-financial managers.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills with a proactive, hands-on approach.

• Salary up to £70,000 DOE.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• Permanent, full-time (9am–5pm, Monday–Friday).
• 25 days annual leave plus bank holidays and your birthday off.
• Employee benefits and discount scheme.
• Wellbeing support including free 24/7 counselling and legal advice.
• Career development and progression opportunities with full training and support.