Financial Controller

Job content

Spabreaks is an exciting, award-winning and fast-growing travel company that employs over 70 staff in Brighton. We are the market leader for Spa days and breaks in the UK.

This is a high-profile role within the finance team taking overall ownership of the financial control and transactional activities for the company. It requires full end to end ownership over the management accounts, budgeting & forecasting process, control environment, year-end audit delivery, regulatory reporting and oversight of the small transactional processing team.

Key responsibilities are to take full ownership of the General Ledger and integrity of all postings and controls, to prepare monthly management accounts (explain material variances to prior year/forecast and budget), to ensure all regulatory requirements are met, to keep both internal and external stakeholders satisfied with the financial requirements of the business, provide business partnership support on growth initiatives and ensure the efficient and controlled processing of financial transactions.

As a member of the senior management team, you will be the finance lead in the Brighton office. You will report to the Palatinate Group Head of Finance but you will have a dotted line with the Spabreaks General Manager, with who you will work very closely. You will also manage the Trainee Management Accountant (1 day a week, shared resource) and Spabreaks.com Accounts Supervisor (AP/AR & Cash).

As Financial Controller will be responsible for / required to …

• Prepare monthly management accounts actuals (p&l, balance sheet and cash flow).
• Manage the preparation of Board presentations. Ensure that the strategy is properly articulated in conjunction with the MD and CFO.
• Oversee the management of a small transactional finance team with the support of the Palatinate Group Head of Financial Processing. Ensuring accuracy and control as well as efficiency within the team.
• Provide finance business partnership support in conjunction with the Head of Finance and CFO, on the overall growth strategy and individual projects/initiatives.
• Prepare forecast financials (p&l, balance sheet and cash flow) in conjunction with the departmental heads. Forecast to include trading & funnel performance, override performance, contribution collection performance, commitments recovery and cost savings initiatives. Understand the performance drivers across and challenge the risks & opportunities to deliver forecast. Determine contingencies in case of poor trading conditions and opportunities that can be leveraged in the case of good trading. Report on risk and opportunities vs. budget/prior forecasts.
• Prepare the annual budget (p&l, balance sheet and cash flow) in conjunction with key stakeholders in the business.
• Own CapEx spend, including reporting of actuals and forecasting. Contribute finance support on business cases.
• Produce month-end management accounts within 5-7 working days. Develop efficient month-end processes and deliver system enhancements that improve the overall efficiency of the finance function.
• As part of the month-end process own the processing of accruals and prepayments (marketing and overheads), call centre staff monthly commission & bonus calculations, payroll postings, fixed asset register, intercompany relationships ensuring accuracy and settlement, contributions and override agreements.
• Prepare monthly commentaries on key variances (vs. prior year/budget/prior forecast).
• Report on one-offs, exceptionals, risk management and initiatives (P&L/KPIs based).
• Produce business unit cost centre packs to distribute to cost centre owners and ensure robust cost control.
• Ensure accuracy of GL postings and integrity of balance sheet and related controls. Prepare and review monthly GL reconciliations. Maintain efficient processes and a robust control environment to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial information.
• Ensure integrity of mapping files from source accounting ledgers for all group reporting requirements.
• Preparation of statutory accounts. Manage all local statutory and regulatory reporting requirements such as VAT, Tax and National Statistics reporting, etc.
• Produce other ad-hoc weekly/monthly financial reports as required.
• Perform any other duties as reasonably requested by the Company.

Requirements

• Qualified Chartered Accountant
• Experienced finance professional with strong industry experience
• Self-motivated and focused with the ability to work proactively dealing with issues
• Very strong organisational and prioritisation skills. Ability to work under pressure and ensure deadlines are met
• Business partnering & strategic skills - ability to challenge and influence at senior levels
• Able to build relationships across all levels of the organisation and work in a team environment
• Great flexibility and resilience with ability to adapt and works effectively with a variety of situations, individuals or groups
• Strong modelling and excel skills with ability to process and summarise large amount of data
• A detailed and diligent approach
• Logical approach to problem-solving. Strong analytical mindset
• Strong systems/processes background
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Good understanding of the Travel industry and market is advantageous

Benefits

• Competitive salary dependent on experience
• 22 days annual leave per annum, plus bank holidays (rising to 25 days on successful completion of a probationary period)
• Familiarisation trips (free Spa days!)
• Personal progression plan
• Path to Wellness programme including Employee Assistance Programme and subsidised gym membership
• A busy company social calendar