Financial Controller

About AMS

AMS is a dynamic and rapidly expanding professional services group based in Manchester, with a nationwide footprint and a collaborative, partnership-led approach. Backed by recent investment from Macquarie, AMS is poised to enter an ambitious new growth phase – aiming for substantial increases in both revenue and profitability over the next five years.

To support this trajectory, we're enhancing our finance function with the strategic hire of a high-performing Finance Controller. This pivotal role will oversee day-to-day financial operations, nurture and develop team talent, and embed strong financial systems and controls to support the business as it scales.

The role

This is a pivotal new role designed to bring strong people leadership and operational control to the finance function.

You will report to the Group Finance Director, working closely with the Fractional CFO and wider leadership team. Your primary objective will be to own the day-to-day finance operations, ensuring high-quality financial reporting, process integrity, and continuous improvement – while developing the finance team's capability and autonomy.

Over time, you will play a key role in enabling the Group Finance Director to step up into a more strategic CFO role, making this an excellent opportunity for someone who thrives on both operational excellence and team development.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead and mentor the finance team (3-4 reports) across management accounts & reporting, FPCA, procurement C credit control, payroll, and more.

• Develop a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

• Coach and upskill team members to operate with greater independence, helping to build a scalable finance function.

• Drive adoption of best-practice processes, reporting disciplines, and internal controls.

Financial Operations & Control

• Oversee all aspects of the monthly accounting cycle – journals, reconciliations, management accounts, and reporting.
• Maintain and enhance financial control frameworks to ensure accuracy, compliance, and timeliness.
• Support process improvement,including potential accounting system upgrade and data/reporting enhancements.
• Liaise with auditors, tax advisers, and other external stakeholders as required.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, tax, and group reporting obligations.

Business Partnering & Reporting

• Partner with the Group Finance Director and Fractional CFO to deliver consistent, accurate, and insightful financial information.
• Contribute to management and board reporting packs (MI), highlighting key variances, risks, and opportunities.
• Work with credit control/WIP managers within departments to optimise WIP and debtor recovery.
• Provide operational finance support to senior management and departmental heads.
• Support annual budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring data integrity and process rigour.

Projects & Transformation

• Play an active role in upcoming system and process transformation initiatives.
• Contribute to the development of scalable data architecture and reporting capabilities.
• Support the finance team's evolution toward automation, efficiency, and AI-driven reporting.

Candidate Profile

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA Qualified with extensive PQE in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience in a PE-backed business.
• Proven track record of working with senior stakeholders.

Company Benefits

• 25 Days Holidays
• Additional day off for birthday
• Annual bonus scheme
• Private Healthcare
• Company sick pay
• Enhanced parental pay
• Perkbox subscription
• 1 x paid membership / subscription
• Cycle to work scheme
• Employee Assistance Programme
• Company pension scheme