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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations and ensure accurate reporting in a fast-paced hospitality environment.
- Company: Join a dynamic private equity-backed hospitality business experiencing significant growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive daily rate and the flexibility of hybrid working.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative period, influencing financial strategy and team performance.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in PE-backed hospitality or retail; immediate availability preferred.
- Other info: This is a hands-on leadership role for 3-6 months, outside IR35.
The predicted salary is between 110000 - 130000 £ per year.
Job Description
Interim Financial Controller – Exit Preparation (6 Months + Extension)
Location | London (Hybrid – 3 days per week onsite)**
Sector | Financial Services (Private Equity–Backed)
Contract | 6-Month Interim (Strong potential to extend)
Start | ASAP
EK
The Opportunity
A high-performing, private equity–backed financial services organisation is preparing for a potential exit event and is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller to strengthen the finance function during this critical phase. With a focus on ensuring investor-grade reporting, operational readiness, and due diligence preparation, this is an exceptional opportunity to play a pivotal role in a major value-creation milestone.
This role offers broad exposure to senior leadership, private equity stakeholders, and external advisors, making it ideal for someone who thrives in fast-paced, transaction-heavy environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the financial controllership function during a period of intense exit preparation.
- Ensure the business delivers accurate, timely, and investor-ready financial reporting.
- Drive improvements to financial processes, controls, and governance in line with PE expectations.
- Support all financial and commercial due diligence workstreams, including data preparation and detailed audit-style responses.
- Work closely with external advisors, auditors, and the PE fund on key financial enquiries.
- Oversee month-end close, balance sheet integrity, and technical accounting matters.
- Strengthen working capital reporting, cashflow forecasting, and statutory compliance.
- Support the preparation of exit-related materials, including financial sections of information packs and investor documentation.
- Partner with FP&A, operations, and senior management to ensure cohesive financial communication ahead of the exit.
Candidate Profile
- ACA or CIMA qualified accountant.
- 4+ years’ post-qualified experience, ideally in Financial Services or a PE-backed environment.
- Proven experience supporting exit processes, due diligence, or transaction readiness.
- Strong understanding of financial controls, reporting frameworks, and technical accounting.
- Highly organised, with strong analytical capabilities and meticulous attention to detail.
- Sector background is agnostic—but financial services exposure is essential.
- Comfortable being London-based 3 days per week.
Contact Detail:
Finatal Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Interim Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Network with professionals in the private equity and hospitality sectors. Attend industry events or join relevant online forums to connect with individuals who may have insights or leads on similar roles.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight your experience in financial controls and reporting during informal conversations or networking events. Be prepared to discuss specific examples of how you've improved financial processes in previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Research the company thoroughly before any interviews or discussions. Understand their business model, recent developments, and challenges they face in the hospitality sector to demonstrate your genuine interest and insight.
✨Tip Number 4
Prepare to discuss your leadership style and how you’ve successfully managed finance teams in high-pressure environments. Be ready to share strategies you've used to mentor and develop team members in past roles.
We think you need these skills to ace Interim Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights relevant experience in financial control, particularly within PE-backed hospitality or similar sectors. Emphasise your qualifications and any leadership roles you've held.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Write a cover letter that showcases your understanding of the role and the company. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your ability to lead financial operations and improve internal controls.
Highlight Key Achievements: In both your CV and cover letter, include quantifiable achievements from previous roles, such as successful budgeting, forecasting, or improvements in financial processes that led to cost efficiencies.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your application for any spelling or grammatical errors. A polished application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for a financial controller role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Finatal
✨Showcase Your Financial Expertise
Be prepared to discuss your qualifications and experience in detail, especially your background as a qualified accountant. Highlight specific examples from your previous roles that demonstrate your understanding of financial controls and cashflow management in a multisite environment.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves leading a small finance team, be ready to share your leadership style and experiences. Discuss how you've mentored or supported team members in the past, and provide examples of how you've successfully managed teams through periods of change.
✨Prepare for Scenario-Based Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities in real-world scenarios. Think about challenges you've faced in previous roles, particularly in PE-backed environments, and how you overcame them. This will show your ability to thrive in a dynamic, high-growth setting.
✨Understand the Business Context
Research the company and its position within the hospitality sector. Be ready to discuss how your skills can contribute to their growth and success. Understanding their financial operations and challenges will help you tailor your responses and demonstrate your commercial insight.
