Financial Controller

Harper May is working with a founder-led restaurant group operating across London and the South East. The business has grown organically over the past eight years and now runs twelve established sites with consistent unit economics and a pipeline for further expansion. Recent investment in kitchen systems and point-of-sale technology is driving operational efficiency, and the owner is now building out the finance function to support the next phase of growth. The business is seeking a Financial Controller to embed financial rigour across the estate and provide the operational visibility needed to scale. The Role Reporting to the Finance Director, you will own month-end and year-end close, statutory compliance, and financial control across all sites. You will work closely with restaurant managers and operations leadership to translate numbers into actionable insight-identifying cost drift, margin pressure, and cash flow risk as they emerge. The role sits at the intersection of technical finance and commercial partnership in a hands-on, owner-led environment. Key Responsibilities • Lead the close process, manage the general ledger, and produce timely management accounts • Prepare statutory accounts and ensure compliance with accounting standards • Establish and maintain financial controls, including bank reconciliations, expense coding, and balance sheet review • Manage the external audit and coordinate tax compliance • Build and own the annual budget; support quarterly reforecasts and cash flow planning • Work with site teams on labour scheduling impact, food cost tracking, and local P&L accountability • Review finance processes and identify opportunities to streamline reporting or tighten control What we are looking for • ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified, or equivalent experience and professional standing • Demonstrated experience in restaurants, hospitality, or consumer-facing multi-unit businesses • Strong technical competency in financial reporting, consolidation, and statutory close • Comfortable translating financial data into plain language for non-finance audiences • Pragmatic problem-solver who thrives in a growing, informal culture • Self-directed and comfortable working with minimal supervision in a tight-knit team