Citadel Source are pleased to be partnering with a high-growth, venture capital-backed deep-tech engineering firm in the recruitment of a part-time Financial Controller on a permanent basis, based in Bristol.

The business is a pioneering, investment-backed business operating in high-value manufacturing within critical sectors. The business is currently entering a significant growth phase with a robust 18-month cash runway and major contracts anticipated for 2026. The organisation is well-capitalised and poised for international expansion.

The role

This role offers a rare opportunity to join a business at a pivotal stage of its development, taking full ownership of the day-to-day finance function. The position is perfectly suited to an individual from an SME or accounts-preparation practice background seeking a step up in ownership, where they can influence a scaling technology company and provide high-quality financial leadership to the Board and investors.

The role of the Financial Controller is to take full ownership of financial management and control across the organisation, ensuring accurate reporting, tight cash control, and delivering the meaningful financial insight required to support a scaling global footprint.

As a Financial Controller, your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

• Overall responsibility for the day-to-day running of the finance function, ensuring accuracy and reliability
• Preparation of monthly financial statements for the Board and external investors, including Balance Sheet, P&L, and Cashflow forecasts
• Budgeting and forecasting, including reporting on variances and supporting gross margin calculations for revenue model assessments
• Cashflow management and maintaining tight control over expenditure during the growth phase
• Management of R&D financial claims, specifically focusing on grant-funded activities
• Review and development of financial controls, documenting business processes and accounting policies as the company scales
• Technical accounting, ensuring all accounts are reconciled monthly and stock/cost of sale records are processed
• Balance sheet oversight, including month-end and year-end close processes in coordination with auditors
• Compliance and regulatory filings, managing HMRC requirements and tax filings
• Liaison with external stakeholders, including venture capital investors, auditors, and payroll providers
• Ad-hoc project work, including supporting international expansion and product portfolio development

About you

You will be a confident, hands-on finance professional who enjoys operating autonomously in a fast-paced, scaling SME environment.

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
• Strong experience preparing management accounts and forecasts within a scaling or VC-backed business
• Methodical and organised, with excellent attention to detail and a proactive approach to process improvement
• Technically proficient, ideally with experience in Xero and strong Excel skills
• Excellent communicator, comfortable interacting with senior stakeholders and external investors
• Adaptable, capable of managing the unique requirements of a deep-tech business, including grant funding and stock accounting

What the client offers

• FTE salary of circa £80,000 on a 3- or 4-day basis or a full-time salary of circa £65,000
• 25 days holiday plus bank holiday
• Company pension
• 1 or 2 days a week in office benchmarked

Sound like a good fit?

For more information on this exciting opportunity, please reach out to Oliver Price – oliver@citadelsource.com at Citadel Source.