At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead a dynamic team in financial reporting and control, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Join Aberdeen plc, a leading investment company focused on making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days of annual leave, a generous pension contribution, and private healthcare.
- Other info: Embrace a blended working approach in an inclusive culture that values diversity.
- Why this job: Shape the future of financial reporting while advancing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial reporting and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 49500 - 60500 £ per year.
About Aberdeen
Aberdeen plc is one of Europe’s largest investment companies, built on a long-standing culture of caring about the future and making a positive impact. Together we invest for a better future to make a difference to the lives of our clients and customers, our employees, society, and our shareholders. Our business is structured around three distinct areas focused on our clients' changing needs: Aberdeen Investments, Aberdeen Adviser, and interactive investor.
About the Department
Finance provides the insight, stewardship and control that support decision-making across Aberdeen. The function ensures we meet our statutory and regulatory obligations while maintaining robust governance and financial integrity. Working collaboratively across the business, the team delivers reliable reporting, strong controls and continuous improvement initiatives that help enable our clients to be better investors. In this environment, colleagues are encouraged to challenge constructively, innovate and continuously develop their expertise.
About the Role
This is a senior leadership opportunity within Group Financial Control, reporting to the Head of UK & EMEA Financial Reporting and Control. Based in Edinburgh, you will lead the UK Financial Reporting and Control team and provide financial stewardship across Aberdeen’s key UK regulated and non-regulated entities. You will translate strategic priorities into clear, measurable outcomes, overseeing legal entity reporting, financial control, statutory accounts, regulatory reporting and audit activity. This role offers significant exposure to senior stakeholders, board directors and regulators, making it an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance leader looking to shape the future of financial reporting and control within a leading investment company. Through your leadership and expertise, you’ll help strengthen governance, drive continuous improvement and invest in your own future career growth.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and develop a high-performing UK Financial Reporting and Control team, fostering an inclusive culture, strong accountability and continuous learning.
- Own the delivery of accurate, timely and insightful UK legal entity financial and board reporting, providing analysis and challenge across performance, capital, liquidity and risk.
- Maintain a robust legal entity control environment, ensuring effective balance sheet governance, financial integrity and strong reporting controls.
- Lead statutory and regulatory reporting, manage external audit relationships and oversee changes to accounting, regulatory and reporting requirements.
- Provide technical accounting leadership and strategic insight, translating complex financial matters into clear recommendations for senior stakeholders.
- Drive complex change programmes, automation initiatives and process improvements that enhance efficiency, control effectiveness and scalability.
About the Candidate
We're looking for a collaborative and inclusive finance leader who combines strong technical expertise with excellent commercial judgement and stakeholder management skills.
Essential
- Qualified accountant (CA, ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with strong knowledge of IFRS, UK statutory reporting and financial control.
- Significant experience in financial reporting, legal entity control or audit within investment management or a regulated financial services environment.
- Proven people leadership experience, with the ability to build capability, develop talent and translate strategy into delivery.
- Experience leading complex reporting cycles, audits, regulatory deliverables and change initiatives in a fast-paced environment.
- Excellent communication and influencing skills, with the credibility to engage at board, executive and senior management level.
- Strong understanding of the UK regulated financial services environment, coupled with a robust control mindset and a track record of continuous improvement.
Desirable
- Experience overseeing outsourced or centralised finance service providers.
- Knowledge of financial systems and reporting tools, including ERP platforms such as Oracle, alongside strong Excel and presentation skills.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer. If you have a disability and would like to apply to one of our UK roles under the Disability Confident Scheme, please notify us by completing the relevant section in our candidate questionnaire. One of our team will reach out to support you through your application process.
Our benefits
There's more to working life than coming home with a good salary. We have an environment where you can learn, get involved and be supported. When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around. This includes 40 days’ annual leave, a 16% employer pension contribution, a discretionary performance-based bonus (where applicable), private healthcare and a range of flexible benefits – including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount portal.
An inclusive way of working
Whatever way you like to work, if you have the talent and commitment to join our team, we’d like to hear from you. At Aberdeen we’ve adopted a ‘blended working’ approach. This approach combines the benefits of face-to-face collaboration, coaching and connecting in our offices with the flexibility of working from home. It enables colleagues to find a balance that works for their roles, their teams, our clients and our business.
An inclusive culture, where diverse perspectives drive our actions, is at the core of who we are and what we do. If you need assistance with your application, or a reasonable adjustment to your interview arrangements – for example, because you are neurodivergent, or have a physical, sensory, cognitive, mental, visible or invisible disability – please let us know and we’ll be happy to help.
We’re committed to providing an inclusive workplace where all forms of difference are valued and which is free from any form of unfair or unlawful treatment. We define diversity in its broadest sense – this includes but is not limited to our diversity of educational and professional backgrounds, experience, cognitive and neurodiversity, age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, religion or belief and ethnicity and geographical provenance. We support a culture that values meritocracy, fairness and transparency and welcomes enquiries from everyone. If you need assistance or an adjustment due to a disability please let us know as part of your application and we will assist.
Head of UK Financial Reporting & Control in Edinburgh employer: Aberdeen
Aberdeen plc is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that prioritises collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning. With a generous benefits package including 40 days of annual leave, a substantial pension contribution, and a commitment to inclusivity, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally in a supportive environment. The Edinburgh location enhances this experience with a blended working approach, allowing for flexibility while fostering strong team connections.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of UK Financial Reporting & Control in Edinburgh
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
Consider pursuing relevant certifications like the CFA or ACCA while you’re job hunting. They not only beef up your CV but also connect you with professional bodies which can lead to networking opportunities and even job openings in banking and financial services.
✨Connect on Professional Platforms
Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
✨Apply Directly and Be Proactive
Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Aberdeen. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of UK Financial Reporting & Control in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Aberdeen.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Aberdeen's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Aberdeen
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Aberdeen.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Aberdeen will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Aberdeen employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
