Financial Controller

A fast-growing, founder-owned hospitality group in the South West is looking to appoint a Financial Controller to own the month-end close, management accounts and year-end across a growing multi-site estate.

This is a hands-on role with genuine scope. The group runs country pubs with rooms alongside city-centre sites, and with further openings already committed, the finance function is growing with the business. It’s for someone who wants to build, not just maintain, and who sees this as a step towards senior finance leadership.

The role

Reporting to the Finance Director, you will be responsible for:

• Owning the month-end close across all entities: timetable, accruals, prepayments, deferred income, stock, recharges, intercompany and balance sheet reconciliations
• Producing and analysing the monthly management accounts and board pack, including a P&L for every site, the consolidated group, cash flow and KPIs
• Writing clear, plain commentary on performance against budget and last year
• Building and maintaining the budget and reforecast alongside the Finance Director
• Owning the year-end file and leading preparation for the group’s first statutory audit, working with the Finance Director and external accountants
• Supporting the quarterly lender covenant calculations and the reporting that goes with them
• Helping deliver finance and operational projects, including wrapping up a recent restructure, a move to 4-4-5 period accounting and the switch to new accounting software

This role suits someone who enjoys finding the story in the numbers and can explain it plainly to a General Manager, not just report it to the board.

What we’re looking for

• Part-qualified or newly qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
• Hands-on experience of month-end close
• Hospitality experience preferred but not essential – a bonus if you already understand a pub P&L, GP, labour and stock
• Strong Excel skills and comfortable in Xero or a similar system
• Happy using AI and other tools to automate reporting
• A clear communicator who can explain the numbers to non-finance colleagues

Why join?

• Join a founder-owned group that’s expanding quickly, with further openings committed
• A role whose scope grows with the business, with a clear path towards senior finance leadership
• Real exposure to the board, lenders and a first statutory audit
• Study support for your continued professional development
• Bonus scheme, pension and discounts across the group’s sites

Gravitate values a diverse workforce. Women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and members of the LGBTQ+ community are strongly encouraged to apply.