Our client is an established multi-trade property maintenance and construction contractor with a turnover approaching £10m and around 80 staff.

They work across a broad range of property maintenance, refurbishment and construction projects, with a strong portfolio of long-term frameworks for:

• Local authorities
• Housing associations
• National institutional clients

The business is well established, commercially focused and continues to grow, with a strong forward order book. The finance function is modern and increasingly automated, with purchase invoice capture and bank reconciliation run through AI-driven systems integrated with Xero.

About the Role

This is a standalone senior finance position with full ownership of the group finance function, direct board exposure and genuine influence over how the business is run.

It would suit a hands-on Financial Controller who enjoys having ownership and responsibility, rather than managing a large finance team.

The Role

You will take responsibility for the full day-to-day finance function across the group, working closely with the board and operational teams.

Key responsibilities will include:

• Producing all management and statutory reporting across the group
• Managing payroll and payments
• Working alongside the Accounts Assistant on credit control
• Acting as the primary finance contact for the board, lender and external accountants
• Managing the relationship with the external practice for year-end review and tax sign-off
• Preparing all other finance requirements in-house

What You'll Be Doing

• Own Xero across all group companies and produce monthly management accounts and a consolidated group pack within 10 working days of month end
• Oversee AI-driven invoice capture and reconciliation, resolving exceptions and refining coding rules
• Manage intercompany balances, recharges and licensing arrangements between group entities
• Handle escalated credit control personally, own aged debt reporting and drive down debtor days
• Reconcile applications for payment, certified values and retentions
• Run monthly payroll in full for c.80 employees, including pensions, auto-enrolment and P11Ds
• Produce contract and department-level margin reporting alongside contract managers and surveyors
• Manage WIP, accruals, retentions and revenue recognition on long-term contracts
• Maintain a rolling 13-week cash flow forecast and the annual budget
• Manage CIS end to end
• Manage VAT returns, including the domestic reverse charge
• Prepare statutory accounts and corporation tax computations for external review

What You'll Need

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA), or exceptionally strong qualified-by-experience at Financial Controller level
• Construction or contracting sector experience
• Strong understanding of CIS, VAT domestic reverse charge, retentions and applications for payment
• Genuine hands-on credit control experience
• Comfortable operating as the only qualified finance person in the business
• Confident challenging directors and operational managers
• Strong commercial awareness with the ability to provide meaningful financial insight

Nice to Have

• Advanced Xero experience across multiple entities
• Experience preparing consolidated group accounts
• End-to-end in-house payroll experience
• Experience with invoice finance or asset-based lending facilities
• Experience with job costing or contract management ERP systems
• Exposure to refinancing, acquisitions or due diligence
• Experience of public sector or housing association frameworks

What's on Offer

• Broad senior finance role with direct board exposure
• Full ownership of the group finance function
• Genuine opportunity to influence commercial and business decisions
• Modern, automated finance function focused on analysis rather than data entry
• Stable, long-established business
• Strong forward order book
• Pension
• Holiday entitlement
• On-site parking

To Apply

Please send a CV and a short covering note outlining your construction sector, Xero and payroll experience.

Alternatively, for a confidential discussion about the role, please contact Alex at One Way on 07442 070998 or alexhaynes@oneway.co.uk.