Financial Controller

Company

Established in 2007, Spabreaks.com made an immediate name within the travel sector and quickly became Europe’s leading Spa Travel Agency. Having opened with just 2 staff and 25 UK based venues we have been on a rollercoaster journey and have now grown to a team of 65, working with over 500 of the world’s leading spa hotels in the UK and Ireland. We send away over 6000 travellers each week, have won multiple industry awards, and we are just getting started!

What makes us unique? Our people. Our employees are the life of our business and by joining our team you will become part of the most talented, ambitious, passionate, collaborative and entrepreneurial team in travel as we continue to make huge waves in the market and develop Spabreaks.com into a household name in the travel industry.

Purpose

As a member of the senior management team (SMT) this is a high-profile role, taking overall ownership of the financial control, financial planning & analysis and transactional activities for the company. It requires full end to end ownership over the management accounts, budgeting & forecasting process, cashflow reporting and forecasting, control environment, year-end audit delivery, tax, regulatory reporting and oversight of the transactional processing team. As the number two to the CFO this role will support them to drive the finance agenda across the business, providing insight and ensuring cost control, as well as acting as a finance business partner to the other SMT team members. The role is supported by a finance manager, part-time management accountant and a small transactional processing team.

Who we are looking for

This role will suit a finance all rounder who has excellent experience in financial control and processes, knows their way round a cashflow and understands the importance of getting the foundations right, but also has a passion for finance business partnering, forecasting and financial modelling.

Most likely they will have worked in SME business where they will have juggled priorities and dealt with systems that don’t always match, but found ways of making them match and hit the deadlines!

But more than anything they will have a passion for championing finance across a business, have an outgoing personality and want to be part of a fun, exciting business!

Responsibilities

• Oversee the preparation of monthly management accounts, cashflow forecasts, KPI, capex and cost centre reports.
• Prepare the finance board pack in conjunction with the CFO.
• Working with the Finance manager to oversee the management of a small transactional finance team. Ensuring accuracy and control as well as efficiency within the team.
• Prepare the annual budget in conjunction with the SMT.
• Prepare financial forecasts in conjunction with SMT and wider business. Understand the performance drivers and challenge the risks & opportunities to deliver budget. Help to 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.
• Provide finance business partnership support in conjunction with the CFO to the SMT, on the key business initiatives and projects. Producing financial models and analysis as required.
• Support the SMT and CFO with the production of business cases, providing financial models and forecasts, as well as insight and challenge.
• Monthly capex reporting for the capex committee including reporting spend vs budget and by project as well as balance of year forecasting.
• Monthly cost centre reviews with cost centre owners to ensure robust cost control. Any risks are identified, reported and mitigation sought
• Produce month-end management accounts within 5 working days. Develop efficient month-end processes and deliver system enhancements that improve the overall efficiency of the finance function.
• Production of the monthly cashflow forecast and day to day management of the company cash position and operational banking.
• Report on one-offs, exceptionals, risk management and initiatives, ensuring no surprises.
• Ensure accuracy of financial reporting and integrity of balance sheet and related controls. Review and in some cases prepare monthly reconciliations. Maintain efficient processes and a robust control environment to ensure the accuracy and completeness of financial information.
• Manage the year end hard close process and annual audit with the audit partner to ensure deadlines are met and no audit adjustments are made.
• Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts by a 3rd party partner.
• Manage all local statutory and regulatory reporting requirements such as VAT, Tax and National Statistics reporting, etc.
• Be the risk champion across the business identifying risks and working across departments to implement mitigation measures.
• Produce other ad-hoc weekly/monthly financial reports as required.
• Perform any other duties as reasonably requested by the Company.

Requirements

• Qualified Chartered Accountant.
• Finance professional with a minimum of 5 years' PQ experience in financial control and FP&A.
• Experience working in an SMT environment..
• 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.
• Strong team management and leadership skills.
• Great communicator and able to build relationships across all levels of the organisation and thrive in a team environment.
• Great flexibility and resilience with ability to adapt and work effectively within 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 and a strong analytical mindset.
• Strong systems/processes background.
• Good understanding of the travel industry or ecommerce marketplace is advantageous.

Benefits

• 22 days annual leave rising to 25 upon successful completion of 6 month probation
• Hybrid working - 3 days in the Brighton office 2 from home
• Familiarisation trips within the UK
• Regular company social events
• Standard pension scheme
• Corporate gym discount and health club allowance
• Personal Progression Plan
• Local discount scheme
• Path to wellness scheme including free yoga, chair massages and lunchtime seminars with industry experts
• Employee Assistance Programme