Interim Financial Controller

About the role

A well-established and growing business in Manchester city centre is recruiting an Interim Financial Controller through ALF Recruit. The brief is hands-on and technical: the controller takes firm ownership of audit, financial controls and reporting while the business grows. The contract is a minimum of 4 months, starting early November 2026, with hybrid working (2 days a week in the city centre office).

Key responsibilities

• Owning the month-end close and delivering accurate, timely management accounts.
• Producing P&L, balance sheet, cash flow and KPI reports with commentary for senior leadership.
• Leading the year-end audit, preparing audit files, managing auditor queries and driving it to completion.
• Preparing statutory accounts under FRS 102 and keeping on top of HMRC and VAT compliance.
• Reviewing and strengthening the financial controls framework, including segregation of duties, approval hierarchies and system controls.
• Overseeing reconciliations, journals, accruals and prepayments and ledger integrity.
• Identifying quick wins to improve process and reporting efficiency.

Required profile

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
• Proven experience as a financial controller or in a senior finance role owning month-end, management accounts and financial controls.
• Strong audit track record, ideally having led year-end audits and prepared statutory accounts.
• Confident communicator with senior stakeholders.
• Experience in a regulated or fast-growing business is useful but not essential.
• Available to start early November 2026.

Required skills

• Solid technical accounting knowledge, including FRS 102.
• Ability to hit the ground running in a short-term role.

What we offer

• Circa £100,000 per year.
• Minimum 4-month fixed-term contract.
• Hybrid working, 2 days a week in the city centre office.
• Free on-site city centre parking.
• A senior, visible role reporting directly to the Finance Director.