Financial Controller

The Blachere Illumination Group designs, manufactures, and markets eco-friendly and sustainable Christmas decorative lighting for local authorites, towns, and shopping centres. As the leader in this niche market, the Group—headquartered in France—is present in more than 25 countries worldwide.

Choosing Blachere Illumination means joining a family-owned company where expertise, passion, innovation, and environmental responsibility are at the heart of everything we do.

Blachère Illumination UK is a key subsidiary of the Group, delivering exceptional festive lighting schemes across the UK. As part of our UK Finance team based in Glenrothes, you will report directly to the UK Managing Director and act as the primary financial contact for the Group Finance Department in France.

Role Summary

We are seeking an experienced Financial Controller to lead financial control, reporting, budgeting, and performance analysis across the UK business. This is a pivotal role with significant responsibility, supporting both UK leadership and Group reporting requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Control

• Prepare, review, and analyse monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements in line with UK GAAP and Group standards.
• Manage cut-off and provisions, including deferred revenues, unbilled revenues, and accrued invoices.
• Oversee gross stock valuation control and depreciation of stock calculations.
• Conduct WIP calculations where relevant.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Performance

• Lead the annual budget process, supporting managers with accurate planning and cost control.
• Deliver monthly budget follow-up and performance analysis.
• Set up, monitor, and improve KPIs across the business.
• Produce and maintain cash flow forecasts to optimise liquidity and manage financial risk.
• Support cost-saving initiatives across general expenses, purchasing, and operations.
• Conduct job costing for schemes and provide analysis to support commercial decisions.

Finance Transformation & Systems

• Drive process improvements, automation, and financial efficiency across the department.
• Act as joint SAP Administrator, ensuring accurate data flows and reporting.
• Oversee SAP usage as the core financial system and collaborate on system integrations and improvements for stock management and costings.

Stock & Inventory

• Oversee full and rolling stocktakes, ensuring accuracy and strong process control.

Compliance, Audit & Group Reporting

• Ensure full compliance with UK GAAP, Group policies, and internal controls.
• Coordinate external audits and internal control reviews.
• Serve as the main financial contact for Blachère France, providing reports, insights, and analysis as required.
• Produce inter-stat reports, salary reports, cashflow reports, and other group-required financial summaries.

Business Partnering & Leadership

• Provide financial insight and advice to the UK senior management team regarding performance, risks, and opportunities.
• Develop the local financial culture, fostering accountability, continuous improvement, and data-driven decision making.

You Bring

• ACCA / ACA / CIMA qualification (or equivalent).
• 3–5 years' experience in financial management, controlling, or audit.
• Proven experience with SAP or a comparable ERP system, including reporting and system improvements.
• Strong analytical skills with advanced Excel capability; experience with Power BI or similar tools.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to partner across UK and Group functions.
• A proactive mindset, able to identify improvements and drive finance transformation.
• Ability to travel to warehouses across the UK as part of the role.

Please note this role is 35 hours per week, office based role working 9am-5pm (Monday-Friday).

Job Types: Full-time, Permanent

Pay: £45,000.00 per year

Experience:

• Financial controlling: 3 years (required)

Licence/Certification:

• ACCA/CIMA (required)

Work authorisation:

• United Kingdom (required)

Work Location: In person

Application deadline: 02/12/2025