Job Description

Job Specification: Financial Controller

Role Title

Financial Controller

Reports to

Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / Finance Director

Location

London / hybrid

Role Overview

We are seeking a highly capable and commercially aware Financial Controller to lead the finance function in a fast-paced high-growth environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical accounting expertise proven experience managing external audits with Big Four firms and the adaptability required to operate effectively in a start-up or scale-up setting.

This role requires a hands-on leader who is comfortable operating across the full spectrum of finance activities from statutory reporting and audit management through to process development systems improvement and supporting commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Controls

• Oversee the preparation of monthly quarterly and annual financial statements
• Ensure compliance with IFRS/UK GAAP and all statutory reporting requirements
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls policies and procedures
• Own balance sheet integrity and reconciliations

Audit Management

• Lead and coordinate annual external audits with Big Four firms (e.g. Deloitte PwC EY KPMG)
• Act as primary point of contact for external auditors
• Ensure timely delivery of audit evidence and resolution of audit queries
• Drive continuous improvement in audit readiness and processes

Start-Up / Scale-Up Finance Operations

• Operate in a hands-on capacity across all areas of finance including:
  • Accounts payable and receivable oversight
  • Cash flow management and forecasting
  • Payroll coordination (where applicable)
  • Banking and treasury activities
• Support implementation and optimisation of finance systems and ERP platforms
• Build scalable finance processes to support business growth

Management Reporting & Business Support

• Produce accurate and insightful management accounts
• Support budgeting forecasting and long-term financial planning
• Partner with senior leadership to provide financial insight and decision support
• Deliver ad-hoc analysis to support commercial initiatives and strategic projects

Team Leadership

• Manage and develop a small finance team (or build function as business grows)
• Provide coaching and technical guidance to junior finance staff
• Foster a high-performance collaborative finance culture

Tax & Compliance

• Oversee VAT corporation tax coordination and statutory compliance
• Liaise with external advisors and tax consultants as required
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting obligations

Key Requirements

Experience

• Qualified accountant (ACCA / ACA / CIMA or equivalent)
• Significant experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role
• Proven track record working with Big Four audit firms
• Experience in a start-up scale-up or high-growth environment
• Strong exposure to end-to-end finance operations

Technical Skills

• Strong knowledge of IFRS and/or UK GAAP
• Advanced financial reporting and consolidation experience
• Strong Excel and financial systems capability (ERP experience essential)
• Experience implementing or improving finance systems/processes

Personal Attributes

• Hands-on and willing to operate at all levels of detail
• Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast-changing environments
• Strong commercial awareness and business partnering mindset
• High attention to detail with a strong focus on accuracy and control
• Proactive self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset
• Strong communication skills able to engage both finance and non-finance stakeholders

Desirable Experience

• Experience in venture-backed or PE-backed businesses
• Exposure to fundraising investor reporting or due diligence processes
• Experience scaling a finance function from early stage to maturity
• Systems implementation (e.g. NetSuite Sage Intacct SAP Oracle)

What Success Looks Like

• Clean timely and audit-ready financial reporting
• Smooth efficient external audit process with minimal issues
• Robust financial controls suitable for scaling business
• Reliable forecasting and cash visibility for leadership team
• A finance function that evolves in line with business growth