Financial Controller

Financial Controller

Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage financials for specific entities and provide insights to stakeholders.
  • Company: Join Aberdeen, a leading Wealth & Investments group focused on client impact.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 40 days' leave, 16% pension contribution, and flexible benefits.
  • Other info: Embrace a blended working approach in an inclusive culture.
  • Why this job: Be part of a dynamic team making a difference in the finance sector.
  • Qualifications: Qualified Accountant with experience in financial control or commercial finance.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

At Aberdeen, our ambition is to be the UK's leading Wealth & Investments group. Strengthening talent and culture is one of our strategic priorities. We strive to make Aberdeen a great place to work so that we can attract and retain the industry's best talent. Our people put our stakeholders at the heart of everything they do by helping us to make a positive difference to the lives of our clients, customers, colleagues, shareholders, and society.

We are focused on growing our direct and advised wealth platforms and repositioning our specialist asset management business to meet client demand. We are committed to providing excellent client service, supported by leading technology and talent.

Aberdeen comprises three businesses, interactive investor (ii), Investments, and Adviser, each of which focuses on meeting and adapting to our clients' evolving needs:

  • Interactive investor, the UK's second largest direct-to-consumer investment platform, enables individuals in the UK to plan, save, and invest in the way that works for them.
  • Our Adviser business provides financial planning solutions and technology for UK financial advisers, enabling them to create value for their customers.
  • Our Investments business is a specialist asset manager that focuses on areas where we have both strength and scale to capitalise on the key themes shaping the market, through either public markets or alternative asset classes.

About the Department: The Finance function, led by the Chief Financial Officer, is structured into four group teams and three commercially focused business units supporting Interactive Investor, Advisor, and Investments. The function is further enabled by a dedicated Finance COO Office, ensuring operational excellence and strategic alignment.

About the Role: As an Entity Financial Controller, the role holder is responsible for the financial management of specific entities across the Aberdeen Group, leveraging the output of the Finance Operations team while providing oversight and challenge. Depending on experience and demands of specific entities, the role holder may be expected to act as a finance representative on the Board of specific entities.

Key Responsibilities:

  • Review and sign-off on commentary on legal entity financials, delivering insights to internal and external stakeholders and sign-off on monthly legal entity financials.
  • Ownership of monthly legal entity P&L and balance sheet packs to ensure IFRS balances are valid, accurate, and complete. Investigating and challenging commentary where necessary.
  • Oversee the production and submission of statutory accounts, regulatory reporting, and local statistical reports.
  • Support the calculation, review, and posting of technical adjustments for complex valuations, impairments, write-offs, and exceptional transactions.
  • Support the legal entity planning process working together with the Performance and Planning team.

About the Candidate: Qualified Accountant (CA/ACCA) with ideally, an audit background. Demonstratable experience in a similar financial control or commercial finance role. Knowledge and understanding of accounting principles, practices and processes, including financial reporting standards (IFRS or GAAP). Proficiency in financial systems and ERPs (e.g. Oracle). Experience within investment management or a financial services environment is highly desirable but not essential.

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.

Financial Controller employer: abrdn plc

At abrdn plc, we pride ourselves on fostering a dynamic and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to thrive. As a Hybrid Financial Reporting Accountant, you will benefit from comprehensive professional development opportunities, competitive remuneration, and the chance to collaborate with diverse teams across the organisation. Our commitment to innovation and excellence in financial reporting ensures that you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of our Group Finance function while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere of our office location.

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Contact Details:

abrdn plc Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Financial Controller

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who work at Aberdeen or similar firms. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info on the company culture and what they really value in candidates.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for the interview by diving deep into Aberdeen's values and recent news. Show us that you’re not just another candidate; you’re genuinely interested in how you can contribute to our mission of making a positive difference for clients and society.

Tip Number 3

Practice your financial knowledge and technical skills. Be ready to discuss IFRS standards and financial reporting in detail. We want to see that you can handle the complexities of the role and bring valuable insights to the table.

Tip Number 4

Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our team and contributing to our growth in the wealth and investments sector.

We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller

Qualified Accountant (CA/ACCA)
Financial Management
Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS or GAAP)
Financial Analysis
Statutory Accounts Preparation
Regulatory Reporting
Technical Adjustments for Valuations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your relevant experience, especially in financial management and reporting. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about joining Aberdeen and how you can contribute to our mission. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!

Showcase Your Qualifications:Don’t forget to mention your qualifications, like being a CA or ACCA. If you have an audit background, let us know! We’re looking for candidates who understand accounting principles and financial reporting standards.

Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from our team!

How to prepare for a job interview at abrdn plc

Know Your Numbers

As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key financial statements, P&L accounts, and balance sheets. Be ready to discuss how you’ve used these in past roles to drive insights and decisions.

Understand IFRS Standards

Since the role involves ensuring compliance with IFRS, make sure you’re well-versed in these standards. Prepare examples of how you've applied them in previous positions, especially in relation to statutory accounts and regulatory reporting.

Showcase Your Tech Savvy

Familiarity with financial systems like Oracle is a plus. If you have experience with ERPs or other financial software, be prepared to discuss how you’ve leveraged technology to improve financial processes or reporting accuracy.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that assess your problem-solving skills. Think of scenarios where you had to challenge financial commentary or manage complex valuations. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your responses effectively.