Commercial Financial Controller

Commercial Financial Controller

Xynteo are seeking a commercially minded Financial Controller who can work closely with the CFO (fractional), the Senior Leadership Team (SLT) and the private equity investors, Leon Capital.  Leon Capital invested in early 2023 and the current SLT was assembled in late 2024.  The business has been through transformation activity and is now heavily focused on growth.  Xena Group, holding company for Xynteo, is tracking to be a EUR 12m+ business in 2026.   There are active global entities in the UK and India.  The business offers consulting support to a wide range of clients, specifically in the area of sustainability and energy transition.

This a pivotal role with a wide range of Finance responsibilities and reports directly to the CFO.  In support of the role will be some accounting support (either internal or outsourced, being established) and a Finance Manager supporting the Indian business.  As the team is currently small, the role is expected to cover traditional FP&A activity in support of the business operations which involves the reporting, analysis and communication of commercial and operational information.  Leon Capital are very actively involved in the management of the business which drives a large amount of direct interactions involving the sharing and explanation of financial information.  Financial information, including revenue recognition, relies heavily on the reporting and understanding of project performance.

Key responsibilities:

• Preparation of monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements with support of junior finance resource and/or an outsourced accounting provider
• Work with the fractional CFO to produce comprehensive board packs and provide clear, actionable insights for investors and stakeholders
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and planning processes to deliver on company financial targets.
• Monitor KPIs and provide regular financial updates to the executive team around all activities related to commercial finance
• Lead on the financial management of client projects, partnering with the business to understand and monitor project profitability and the recoverability of work in progress
• Oversee operational finance activities, including cash flow reporting, payroll, VAT returns and financial controls and reconciliations
• Support initiatives to improve financial systems, tools, and reporting processes, such as ERP migration which is planned to move from Navision to a new common system
• Support the year-end audit process and liaise with external auditors

Key requirements:

The ideal candidate will have proven experience in professional services environment, with a focus on revenue recognition, commercial reporting and optimising cash and profitability in such an environment.  The jobholder will be very commercially focused and able to move smoothly between core finance activity and business partnering.

• Fully qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with extensive post-qualification experience
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior Finance Manager within a Professional Services business (e.g. Big4)
• Ideally experience working in private equity backed businesses or other fast-moving environments where business demands create changing priorities
• Demonstrated ability to partner effectively with senior leadership and influence at a senior level
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems
• Excellent communication skills, able to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for nonfinancial stakeholders
• Strong Excel skills and able to build fit for purpose data models and reporting