Financial Controller

Crazy Bear

Oxford•60000•Full time

Financial Controller – Crazy Bear


Good finance should do more than explain what happened last month. It should help decide what happens next.

Crazy Bear is a boutique hotel group with two very different properties in Beaconsfield and Stadhampton. Across the Group, our operation includes bedrooms, restaurants, bars, private dining, weddings, events and guest experiences - so there are plenty of moving parts behind the numbers.


We’re looking for an experienced Financial Controller to oversee the Group’s day-to-day finance function and bring clarity, control and useful commercial insight to the business. You’ll work closely with the Directors, Board and senior management team, making sure our reporting is accurate, our financial position is understood and our decisions are supported by numbers that actually mean

something.


Our in-house finance team already manages accounts preparation, payroll and VAT compliance. Your job is to lead the function, review the output and make sure the numbers are accurate, useful and acted upon.


What you’ll be doing

  • Overseeing the Group’s day-to-day finance function
  • Leading, supporting and developing the in-house finance team
  • Reviewing draft monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts
  • Coordinating the monthly Board reporting process
  • Preparing clear financial reporting for Directors, Board members and third-party investors
  • Developing KPI reporting and analysis to support informed decision-making
  • Analysing monthly trading and cash-flow performance against budget
  • Identifying key movements, risks and areas requiring management attention
  • Preparing and maintaining a rolling 13-week cash-flow forecast
  • Analysing actual cash performance against previous forecasts
  • Monitoring the Group’s debt facilities and financial covenants
  • Forecasting covenant performance and preparing compliance certificates
  • Managing the annual budgeting process
  • Maintaining and modelling the Group’s rolling three-year business plan
  • Reviewing payroll, VAT and accounts-preparation processes
  • Identifying and implementing improvements to finance and related operating systems
  • Liaising with tax advisers on corporation tax and other compliance matters
  • Managing relationships with external auditors
  • Reviewing and coordinating the submission of statutory accounts
  • Providing financial oversight of capital projects
  • Modelling new business opportunities and commercially focused projects
  • Working with departmental leaders to improve financial understanding and accountability


What we’re looking for

  • A qualified accountant—ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
  • At least seven years’ post-qualification experience
  • Strong experience overseeing management accounts, budgeting and cash-flow forecasting
  • A sound understanding of UK accounting standards
  • Knowledge of IFRS and UK GAAP
  • Experience managing debt facilities and financial covenants
  • The ability to produce clear Board-level reporting and analysis
  • Confidence working with Directors, investors, lenders and other senior stakeholders
  • Strong leadership skills and experience developing a finance team
  • Advanced Excel skills
  • Confidence using PowerPoint, accounting software and wider business systems
  • Strong financial-modelling and analytical skills
  • A commercial mindset and the confidence to challenge constructively
  • The ability to work autonomously while remaining connected to the wider management team
  • Hospitality experience would be helpful, but it is not essential
  • A valid driving licence and reliable access to a vehicle—this is essential due to our remote location
  • The right to work in the UK

We like numbers that reconcile, forecasts that mean something and Board packs that don’t require detective work.


The good stuff

  • On-target earnings of up to £60,000 per year.
  • 50% off food and drink for up to four people
  • 50% off overnight stays
  • 50% off Crazy Bear ticketed events
  • One free overnight stay every year
  • An extra day off for your birthday
  • 28 days’ annual leave, including bank holidays
  • One additional day of holiday for each completed year of service, up to 33 days including bank holidays
  • Training and opportunities to progress
  • £300 for successfully referring someone who joins us
  • Financial recognition for going above and beyond
  • Manager of the Quarter recognition
  • Workplace pension
  • Access to Hospitality Rewards perks and discounts


Where you’ll be working


Crazy Bear Stadhampton is Country.


You’ll be based at our Stadhampton hotel in the Oxfordshire countryside, while overseeing finance across the wider Crazy Bear Group.


With two hotels and revenue coming from bedrooms, restaurants, bars, weddings, events and other guest experiences, there is plenty happening behind the management accounts.


Due to Stadhampton remote location, you must be able to drive and travel to and from the hotel independently.


If you can bring control to the numbers, clarity to the Board and useful commercial insight to the wider business, we should talk.


Apply through the Crazy Bear Careers Page.