We are working closely with a growing, multi-site operation combining a busy restaurant, a food-led retail store.

The business operates in a fast-paced, high-volume environment where stock, margins, and labour costs change daily.

Think craft beer, burgers, premium groceries, and a constant flow of footfall – both eat-in and grab-and-go.

There are currently multiple locations, each with its own P&L, but with centralised finance.

The Financial Controller needs a hands-on, reliable Management Accountant who understands the unique pressures of hospitality and retail – from stock shrinkage to split-second EPOS data.

This is not a remote back-office role.

The business needs someone who can sit between the books and the shop floor.

You will work directly with the FC to:

Key Responsibilities

• Manage purchase ledger, sales ledger, and bank reconciliations across all sites
• Process supplier invoices and match to delivery notes (high volume – food, drink, packaging, retail goods)
• Reconcile EPOS data (till systems) to daily sales reports and bank deposits
• Prepare weekly cash flow forecasts and monitor daily banking
• Assist with weekly and month-end stock takes (food, drink, retail merchandise)
• Analyse stock variances, wastage, theft, and over-pouring
• Calculate accurate gross profit by product category (e.g., fresh food, alcohol, packaged goods)
• Work with site managers to reduce shrinkage and improve margin
• Produce individual P&Ls for each location and a consolidated view
• Track key hospitality/retail metrics: average spend, cover counts, GP%, labour %, wastage %
• Identify underperforming sites or product lines
• Prepare VAT returns (including food vs non-food, zero-rated, standard-rated – hospitality/retail specific)
• Support with payroll data (hourly staff, tips, tronc)
• Assist with year-end audit and stock valuation
• Deputise for the FC when required

Essential Candidate Profile

• Hospitality and/or retail experience – has worked in a restaurant group, pub chain, cafe operator, deli, or multisite convenience retail business.
• Multisite understanding – knows that each site has its own personality, team, and stock challenges.
• Stock-savvy – comfortable with stock sheets, variance reports, and chasing site teams for accuracy.
• Systems-capable – can handle EPOS, accounting software (Xero/Sage/QuickBooks), and Excel (pivot tables, lookups).
• Hard-working and autonomous – needs minimal supervision, but knows when to escalate to the FC.
• Process-driven – will suggest better ways to track wastage, automate supplier reconciliations, or speed up month-end.

Desirable (but not essential)

• Experience with hospitality-specific software (e.g., Fourth, Apicbase, or EPOS back-office tools).
• Knowledge of multi-VAT rates in food and drink (e.g., eat-in vs takeaway, alcohol, soft drinks).
• Previously managed or supported a team of site-level administrators.

What the Role Offers

• Direct line to the FC – real responsibility, not just data entry.
• A hybrid working pattern (some days at the Walthamstow head office/site, some from home).
• The chance to shape finance processes in a growing hospitality/retail group.
• A down-to-earth, high-energy culture – no corporate excess.