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 accounts
• Take responsibility for the P&L, contribution margin analysis, and financial reporting to the founder
• Bring the currently outsourced management accounts fully in-house and build a robust reporting framework
• Support the founder on commercial decisions, cash flow, and strategic planning
• Own budgeting, forecasting, and financial modelling to support growth and any acquisition activity
• Establish and improve financial controls, systems, and processes fit for the next phase of scale
• Partner with operations and commercial teams to challenge the numbers and provide clear insight
• Manage the external audit and statutory reporting relationships

What we are looking for

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with a strong technical foundation
• Commercially minded with experience owning month-end and management accounts in an SME or scale-up
• Comfortable being hands-on in a lean team while also thinking strategically
• Prior experience in a consumer products, e-commerce, food, or FMCG business is a plus
• Confident partnering with founders and non-finance leaders
• Based within a reasonable commute of Reading, with hybrid flexibility