Finance Controller

This is your chance to shape the financial future of an exceptional Cotswolds Spirits Brand.

Be part of something exceptional

Since opening our doors in 2014, Cotswolds Distillery has grown from a bold idea into one of England's leading premium spirits producers. Born from a love of whisky and the beautiful Cotswolds countryside, our journey began with a simple ambition: to make exceptional spirits in a place we love. Today, we proudly produce award-winning single malt whisky and gin, combining traditional craftsmanship with innovation, an uncompromising approach to quality and a genuine passion for what we do.

We are an ambitious, fast-growing business with our sights firmly set on the future – and we're looking for an exceptional Finance Controller to join our team and play an important role in that journey.

The Role

Reporting to our CFO, the Finance Controller will take ownership of the efficient running of our day-to-day finance function, ensuring strong financial control, accurate reporting and robust processes across the business.

This is a hands-on and commercially focused role, offering the opportunity to work closely with our senior leadership team and contribute directly to the continued growth and development of the business.

You'll be responsible for:

• Leading the month-end process, producing management accounts and financial analysis, managing cashflow, budgets and forecasts, overseeing payroll, tax and year-end activities, and ensuring our financial controls and processes continue to evolve as we scale.
• Working closely with department leads, providing meaningful insight into financial performance and helping turn financial information into clear, commercially useful decisions.

This is much more than a reporting role. We are looking for someone who can connect the detail to the bigger picture, challenge constructively and become a trusted partner to the wider business.

What you'll be responsible for

• Overseeing all day-to-day finance operations, including AP, AR, bank reconciliations, system reconciliations and general ledger maintenance, supported by the Finance Administrator.
• Leading the month-end process and preparing accurate management accounts, including profit and loss statements, balance sheets and cash flow and prepare commentary for senior management and the board.
• Analyzing financial performance and variances against budgets and forecasts, providing insights and recommendations to senior management with sufficient detail e.g. volume, price, mix on revenue drivers and drivers of costs, including overheads.
• Short-term cashflow management, manage the short- and medium-term cashflow forecasting ensuring sufficient cash resources.
• Preparing annual budgets and periodic latest estimates alongside department leads to ensure accuracy and alignment with objectives.
• Managing monthly payroll and pension contributions.
• Review monthly payment run for authorisation by the CFO and transition to approvals at the PO stage.
• Coordinating year-end processes and acting as the main point of contact for auditors.
• Managing preparation and submission of all tax filings. (VAT and duty Payments).
• Maintaining strong relationships with our accountants, tax advisers, auditors, bank and insurance partners.
• Responsibility for company secretarial duties, including Company House filing etc.
• Managing reporting to bank including monthly borrowing base certificates, bi-annual audits and annual renewals of the facility.
• Preparing financial information for the Board, investors and investment memorandums for potential investors.
• Co-ordinate the processing of the bi-annual founders interest payments including preparation of the CF61 and issue share certificates.
• Manage Shareholder relations and EMI scheme
• Ensuring monthly reconciliation of accounts, inventory and POS systems.
• Overseeing and supporting our Finance Administrator.
• Undertake ad hoc financial analysis and projects as requested by senior management.
• Ensuring robust and appropriate internal controls are maintained and evolved
• Supporting business expansion, new systems, processes, geographies, tax and reporting requirements.
• Collaborate with leadership to improve financial systems and processes in line with business scaling.