Business Controller

Business Controller | Perm | up to £80k salary (negotiable) + Excellent Benefits | Reading, Hybrid

Morson are partnering with a leading company in the Defence and Aerospace sector, with this role being based in Reading.

We are currently seeking a skilled and motivated Business Controller to join our team situated in our Glasgow office, on a permanent basis. This role offers hybrid working (3 days office,2 remote each week).

The ideal candidate will have a proven Finance background with relevant experience and qualifications. This role will require a highly motivated individual with exceptional analytical skills and an ability to work in a fast-paced environment. The successful candidate will report directly to the Head of Finance and work closely with other members of the management team.

The ideal candidate will have good industry experience, ideally in large contract businesses, Government organisations, Engineering, Defense or Construction, and a strong background in management accounts, with a particular emphasis on project accounting and business partnering. They should be able to communicate effectively with non-finance individuals, manage and develop stakeholder relationships. Proficiency in ERP systems such as Oracle would be advantageous.

What the role has to offer     

• Great opportunity to gain experience and further your career in Finance
• Work in fast paced, growing, area of the business in a period of high demand
• Opportunity to engage with multiple stakeholders across the project, business line and Group
• Opportunity to work in an exciting, visible and dynamic environment
• Ability to drive continuous improvement

Key Responsibilities and Tasks:

• Provision of timely financial management information and analysis to the Business and Business Unit Community in a concise, clear and efficient manner for all levels of seniority.
• Assist finance management in preparation of monthly reporting for BL, Management Group and Bid & Project Management Community
• Support the Fuzes and Air Sector management in delivering against MYB targets
• Business Control accounting responsibility for products and projects (including derivation of Sales trading plans, actual sales recognition, re-forecasting, EAC’s, risks & opportunities management and cash-flow forecasting).
• Active participant in monthly Project Reviews, Forecast Cost at Completion Reviews and relevant Operations Reviews.
• Own and control relevant areas of the OME UK Balance Sheet. (e.g. inventory)
• Full Project Accounting support for Project teams and Bid teams.
• Ensure bid process has been followed and financial integrity has been maintained in line with internal process.
• Active participation in bid process within area of control, deputise for the Finance Director where required.
• Monthly financial reporting of projects, business prospects and departmental overheads.
• Multi-Year Budgeting and Strategic Business Planning
• Interaction with external and internal audit teams, prepare project audit packs, provision of appropriate audit evidence, query resolution, direct auditor interaction.
• Own and drive to closure any audit recommendations within span of control.
• Lead and deliver ad-hoc projects on an as required basis, maybe on a cross OME UK basis, outside of direct span of control.
• Provide support to the Finance Director and the OME finance function as required.
• Liaison with multiple functions across the business and wider UK/Group Finance functions as appropriate.
• Line manager to one direct report.

Skills:

• A good understanding of the commercial and financial aspects of the business
• Be comfortable working with ambiguity and proposing solutions to complex issues
• Be able to present and explain the implications of complex business issues
• Be able to interact with non-finance managers and individuals at all levels in the business
• Being flexible to work in a changing environment
• Hold a professional accounting qualification
• Ideally educated to degree level (preferably in a finance, or related discipline) and/or have proven experience of Project Accounting within an engineering/manufacturing background
• Highly proficient in Excel. ERP Systems experience - Oracle is preferred.

Essential Qualifications:

• Degree in a relevant discipline or equivalent qualification/experience.
• Membership in a professional body as appropriate (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).

Security Clearance statement  

In line with Baseline Security requirements, candidates will be asked to provide evidence of identity, eligibility to work in the UK and employment and/or education history for up to three years. Some vacancies may require full Security Clearance which can require further evidence to be provided. For further details of the evidence required to apply for Baseline and Security Clearance please refer to the Defence Business Services National Security Vetting (DBS NSV) Agency.

What We Can Offer

We’re committed to giving you opportunities to be your best. We believe in embracing the passion and potential of our people, and to achieve this we offer market leading training, development and experiences, along with the opportunity to be mentored and coached by some of the smartest minds in the industry. We hire from within as our first priority, so you’ll have a myriad of opportunities within our diverse, global organisation.

Flexibility

Your health and well-being matters to us and that’s why we offer you the flexibility to do what’s important to you; whether that’s part time hours, job sharing, home working, or the ability to flex your start and finish times. Where possible, we support a working pattern that suits your lifestyle and helps you reach your ambitions.

We are an equal opportunities employer and diversity and inclusion are integral to the success of the organisation.

Job Title: Business Controller

Location: Reading, hybrid

You’ll also get a package that includes: 

• Competitive salary c£80k per annum, Bonus 8-10%
• Healthcare cash plan Personal + significant other
• Company matching Pension(+1) up to maximum total of 13% (E.G. EE6% + ER7% = 13%)
• 26 days holiday & Bank Holidays 
• 37 hour working week, lunchtime finish on a Friday 

 APPLY NOW, making sure to attach your up-to-date CV.

*Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an initial telephone interview. If selected from the shortlist, a 2 stage formal interview process will begin.