Pinewood Logistics is an owner-managed logistics business based in Reading — 280 staff, fleet of forty vehicles, and growth that’s tested the finance function harder than the founders anticipated. They’re hiring a Financial Controller to take the day-to-day stewardship of the function, freeing the Finance Director (the founder’s brother) to focus on commercial and strategic work.
The role will own monthly management accounts, statutory year-end, cash-flow management, and the line management of a four-person finance team (a senior management accountant, two purchase-ledger clerks, and an accounts-receivable specialist). It also takes the relationship with the auditors and HMRC. The business is on Sage Intacct, having recently migrated from Sage 50.
Who fits: qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA), with three-plus years post-qualification, ideally with experience in a privately-held SME of similar size. Comfort with the unglamorous side of finance (purchase ledger, reconciliations, the actual closing of the month) is non-negotiable. The business is not looking for a CFO-in-waiting — they want a Controller who is genuinely good at being a Controller.
£75-90k + 10% bonus + private healthcare. Hybrid working, three days in the Reading office. The bonus actually pays out reliably; we have placement data on this one.
Briefed by Priya Shah (Senior Consultant, Finance practice).