Financial Controller

Harper May is partnering with an established, profitable UK health and nutrition business based in Reading, with a growing product range and a strong direct-to-consumer presence. The business has been trading for over a decade, is bootstrapped, and is growing rapidly year on year, with clear plans to double revenue over the next three years and to scale meaningfully over the coming decade, partly through selected acquisitions. With the business entering its next phase of growth, the founder is now bringing finance in-house for the first time and appointing a Financial Controller to own the numbers end to end and partner closely on the commercial and strategic side.

The Role
Reporting directly to the CEO and founder, the Financial Controller will take full ownership of the finance function as the first in-house finance hire. The role covers everything from month-end and management accounts through to P&L analysis, contribution margin, and commercial support to the leadership team. There is real scope to build and shape the function as the business grows, alongside a hands-on, close-to-the-numbers day-to-day remit. The role is Reading-based with hybrid flexibility.

Key Responsibilities

Own the month-end close and produce timely, accurate management accountsTake responsibility for the P&L, contribution margin analysis, and financial reporting to the founderBring the currently outsourced management accounts fully in-house and build a robust reporting frameworkSupport the founder on commercial decisions, cash flow, and strategic planningOwn budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling to support growth and any acquisition activityEstablish and improve financial controls, systems, and processes fit for the next phase of scalePartner with operations and commercial teams to challenge the numbers and provide clear insightManage the external audit and statutory reporting relationships

What we are looking for

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with a strong technical foundationCommercially minded with experience owning month-end and management accounts in an SME or scale-upComfortable being hands-on in a lean team while also thinking strategicallyPrior experience in a consumer products, e-commerce, food, or FMCG business is a plusConfident partnering with founders and non-finance leadersBased within a reasonable commute of Reading, with hybrid flexibility