<p>Robert Half is delighted to retained by Merchant Leisure to recruit a newly created Financial Controller role. </p><p>Merchant Leisure is a privately owned hospitality, property and leisure group with operations across Edinburgh city centre. The group operates a growing portfolio of bars and restaurants, alongside a well established property and construction arm, and is now expanding into tours and events. </p><p>The hospitality division continues to perform strongly year on year, supported by ongoing venue development and new concepts launching in 2026. The business employs approximately 150-170 staff across its operating sites and maintains a lean, collaborative head office function. </p><p>The head office is based in central Edinburgh in recently acquired premises. While the role is primarily office based, there is flexibility around working hours, recognising the needs of a senior hire. </p><p><strong>The Role </strong></p><p>This is a hands on Financial Controller position, sitting at the centre of the group's finance function. Reporting to the directors, the successful candidate will take ownership of financial reporting and controls while also providing commercial insight and analysis to support strategic decision making as the business continues to evolve. </p><p>The role combines technical accounting responsibility with leadership, business partnering and forward looking financial planning. </p><p><strong>Key Responsibilities</strong> </p><p><strong>Financial Control & Reporting</strong> </p><ul><li data-leveltext="" data-aria-posinset="1" data-listid="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol">Production and ownership of monthly management accounts for the group </li><li data-listid="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol">Balance sheet control, including bank and control account reconciliations </li><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-listid="1" data-leveltext="">Preparation and submission of VAT returns, PAYE and CIS returns </li><li data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-leveltext="" data-aria-posinset="4" data-listid="1" data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1">Cashflow management and forecasting across multiple entities </li><li data-leveltext="" data-listid="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol">Support external accountants with year end statutory accounts </li><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-leveltext="" data-aria-posinset="6" data-listid="1">Submission of dormant accounts and confirmation statements to Companies House </li></ul><p><strong>Commercial & Strategic Support </strong></p><ul><li data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="2" data-aria-posinset="1" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1">Creation, monitoring and refinement of budgets and forecasts </li><li data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="2" data-aria-posinset="2" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}">Provision of meaningful financial analysis and insight to support operational and investment decisions </li><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-leveltext="" data-aria-posinset="3" data-listid="2">Holding monthly P&L and performance review meetings with management </li><li data-leveltext="" data-listid="2" data-aria-posinset="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol">Supporting directors with scenario planning as new ventures launch (e.g. tours and events) </li></ul><p><strong>People & Operations</strong> </p><ul><li data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-leveltext="" data-aria-posinset="1" data-listid="3" data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1">Day-to-day oversight of the finance function, remaining hand-son where required </li><li data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="2" data-listid="3" data-leveltext="" data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1">Management and development of two Accounts Assistants, including mentoring and support with professional exams </li><li data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol" data-listid="3" data-aria-posinset="3" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}">Oversight of supplier payments, payroll processing (fortnightly and monthly) and finance operations </li><li data-listid="3" data-aria-posinset="4" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol">Continuous improvement of processes, controls and reporting </li></ul><p><strong>The Candidate</strong> </p><p>The ideal candidate will be a strong all round accountant with experience operating in a growing SME environment. </p><p><strong>You will likely have:</strong> </p><ul><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="4" data-aria-posinset="1" data-leveltext="">Proven experience in a Financial Controller / senior Finance Manager role </li><li data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-aria-posinset="1" data-listid="4" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}">Strong technical accounting background (qualified preferred; QBE considered) </li><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-aria-posinset="3" data-listid="4" data-leveltext="">Experience producing full management accounts and supporting year end </li><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="4" data-aria-posinset="4" data-leveltext="">Commercial mindset with the ability to translate numbers into insight </li><li data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol" data-aria-posinset="5" data-listid="4" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}">Confidence operating in a hands on, fast moving environment </li><li data-font="Symbol" data-aria-level="1" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-leveltext="" data-listid="4" data-aria-posinset="6">Strong Excel skills </li><li data-aria-level="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-listid="4" data-aria-posinset="7" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}">Experience with<strong> </strong>Sage (or similar accounting systems) </li></ul><p>Experience within hospitality, leisure, property or multi-entity businesses would be advantageous, though not essential. </p><p>For full details on this exciting opportunity please apply and if interested to discuss further please contact Reggie McMahon: 0131 240 3703 </p><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/cmVnZ2llLm1jbWFob24uMTY5MTcuMTA5MjNAcmhpLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ.gif">
<p>Robert Half is partnering with a growing Edinburgh-based organisation to recruit a Finance Manager. This is a broad, hands-on role offering responsibility across management accounting, financial operations, and reporting, within a fast-paced, multi-entity environment.</p><p>The position would suit a well-rounded finance professional looking to take ownership of core finance processes, improve reporting and controls, and support senior stakeholders with meaningful financial insight.</p><h2>Key Responsibilities</h2><p>This role will take ownership of the management accounting function while supporting statutory reporting and financial operations. Working closely with senior stakeholders and external advisors, the Finance Manager will play a key role in ensuring robust financial controls, insightful reporting, and scalable processes to support business growth. Responsibilities will include:</p><ul><li>Preparation and review of monthly management accounts across multiple entities, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery.</li><li>Ownership of monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting cycles, including coordination with external auditors and professional advisors.</li><li>Providing financial analysis and insight to support commercial and strategic decision-making.</li><li>Oversight of day-to-day financial operations including payroll, VAT returns, accounts payable, and accounts receivable.</li><li>Driving improvements in financial systems, processes, and controls; including involvement in system upgrades or migrations (e.g. Xero).</li><li>Supporting cost control initiatives and contributing to budgeting and forecasting activities.</li><li>Working with non-finance stakeholders to improve financial understanding and support operational decision-making.</li><li>Assisting with the financial set-up of new business initiatives, including reporting structures, bank accounts, and internal controls.</li></ul><h2>About You</h2><p>We are keen to speak with candidates who are confident operating in a broad finance role and comfortable managing competing priorities. You will be detail-oriented, commercially aware, and capable of communicating effectively across the business. The ideal candidate will have:</p><ul><li><strong>Experience:</strong> Proven experience in a relevant finance or accounting role; part-qualified, qualified-by-experience, or fully qualified candidates will be considered.</li><li><strong>Technical Skills:</strong> Strong understanding of management accounting, financial reporting, and core finance operations.</li><li><strong>Systems & Excel:</strong> Experience using accounting systems such as Xero and payroll software such as BrightPay, alongside strong Excel skills.</li><li><strong>Commercial Mindset:</strong> An analytical approach with the ability to interpret financial data and provide practical insight.</li><li><strong>Communication:</strong> Confidence working with non-financial stakeholders and explaining financial matters clearly.</li><li><strong>Organisation:</strong> The ability to manage deadlines, prioritise workload, and operate effectively in a changing environment.</li></ul><h2>What's On Offer?</h2><p>This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional seeking a varied, hands-on role within a growing and evolving organisation. You'll gain exposure across multiple areas of finance, with scope to influence processes and support business decision-making.</p><p>Salary is offered in the range of <strong>£50,000-£60,000 plus benefits</strong>, depending on experience.</p><p>To find out more about this Finance Manager opportunity, please apply or contact a member of the Robert Half team for a confidential discussion.</p><br><p>Robert Half Ltd acts as an employment business for temporary positions and an employment agency for permanent positions. Robert Half is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion. Suitable candidates with equivalent qualifications and more or less experience can apply. Rates of pay and salary ranges are dependent upon your experience, qualifications and training. If you wish to apply, please read our Privacy Notice describing how we may process, disclose and store your personal data: roberthalf.com/gb/en/privacy-notice.</p><img src="https://counter.adcourier.com/cmVnZ2llLm1jbWFob24uNzIwNDQuMTA5MjNAcmhpLmFwbGl0cmFrLmNvbQ.gif">
