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About the Role

Seeking an experienced, commercially minded Financial Controller with strong retail sector experience to support an SME owner-managed retail business in London. This self-employed, client-facing role requires a hands-on finance professional to provide strategic financial insight while ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, and commercial decision support. The role involves working closely with the business owner and leadership team to improve financial performance, strengthen controls, optimise cash flow, enhance reporting, and support growth. A minimum of two days per week onsite in London is required.

Responsibilities

Prepare and present monthly management accounts and retail-focused MI packs.
Produce insightful financial reporting for senior leadership teams and boards.
Analyse sales, gross margins, stock performance, and profitability across retail operations.
Develop and monitor KPIs including sales performance, gross margin, stock turn, labor costs, and store profitability.
Provide commercial recommendations to improve business performance and profitability.
Lead annual budgeting and financial planning processes.
Prepare rolling forecasts and reforecasts.
Develop and maintain detailed cash flow forecasts.
Support planning through financial modelling and scenario analysis.
Identify financial risks and commercial opportunities impacting retail performance.
Partner closely with retail business owners, directors, and management teams.
Translate financial information into practical commercial insight.
Support strategic decision-making including pricing, stock investment, expansion, and profitability initiatives.
Provide financial leadership to non-finance stakeholders.
Review and strengthen financial processes and internal controls.
Ensure robust controls across stock, purchasing, cash handling, and retail operations.
Identify opportunities to improve efficiency and reporting accuracy.
Implement finance best practice and support finance transformation initiatives.
Manage, mentor, and develop small finance teams where required.
Review the work of finance staff and maintain high standards across finance operations.

Requirements

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience.
Proven experience as a Financial Controller.
Strong understanding of retail finance, including stock management, gross margin analysis, inventory control, and multi-site reporting.
Experience supporting SME and owner-managed businesses.
Demonstrable experience producing management information and board reporting.
Extensive budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow management experience.
Strong understanding of financial controls and process improvement.
Ability to work independently while managing multiple client relationships.
Available to attend client sites across London for a minimum of two days per week.
Experience with Xero (experience with Sage and/or QuickBooks would also be advantageous).
Minimum of 3 years' UK-based experience as a Financial Controller.

Skills

Financial Reporting
Management Information
Budgeting
Forecasting
Cash Flow Management
Business Partnering
Financial Controls
Process Improvement
Team Leadership
Xero
Sage
QuickBooks

Location

London (Client Sites Across London)

Work Type

Self-Employed
Part-Time
Onsite (minimum 2 days per week)

Experience Level

Minimum 3 years' UK-based experience as a Financial Controller

Education Level

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) or qualified by experience

Salary/Compensations

£38 per hour

About the Company

At The Part-Time Finance People, we're passionate about helping business owners build more profitable, scalable, and enjoyable businesses.
We go beyond traditional finance support by delivering practical, commercially focused advice that helps SMEs improve cash flow, increase profitability, and make better strategic decisions.

Equal Opportunity

We're proud to foster a diverse, inclusive, and supportive working environment where different perspectives are valued and everyone has the opportunity to thrive.