At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the General Ledger team, ensuring financial accuracy and integrity across the organisation.
- Company: Aberdeen plc, a leading investment company focused on making a positive impact.
- Benefits: Enjoy 40 days of annual leave, private healthcare, and a generous pension contribution.
- Other info: Join a diverse and inclusive workplace that values your unique perspective.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance operations with automation and AI in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with significant leadership experience in Record to Report.
The predicted salary is between 75600 - 92400 £ per year.
About Aberdeen
Aberdeen plc is one of Europe’s largest investment companies, and we are built on a long-standing culture of caring about the future and making a positive impact. Together we invest for a better future. We do it 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 Operations is a core part of Aberdeen’s Finance function, delivering services across Record to Report, Billing, Banking, Accounts Payable and Supplier Relationship Management. Within Group Financial Control, the team provides accurate outputs, robust controls and timely reporting, working with colleagues in Edinburgh and Chennai. Record to Report underpins reliable financial reporting, regulatory compliance and informed decisions, helping enable our clients to be better investors. The team is evolving through continuous improvement, automation and transformation, with strong control discipline and ownership of the numbers.
About the Role
This Finance Operations GL (general ledger) Lead Controller role is a senior leadership opportunity within Record to Report in Edinburgh. You will own R2R across Finance Operations and its interface with Group Finance, acting as financial controller of the ledger and final point of accountability for control, judgement and integrity. Leading GL Leads and a wider team of GL Analysts, you will set the vision, standards and operating framework while owning data integrity, balance sheet substantiation, financial storytelling and senior stakeholder insight. You will also drive automation, AI adoption and enterprise-wide transformation, shaping a scalable future operating model.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the ultimate controller of the General Ledger, ensuring accuracy, completeness and integrity of financial data across the Group.
- Own Balance Sheet Substantiation for Group Finance and Finance Operations, ensuring balances, journals and outputs are supported, controlled and audit ready.
- Lead the global Record to Report operating model, setting standards and governance for accurate close delivery.
- Provide senior financial insight, challenge and storytelling, linking outputs to business drivers and risks.
- Oversee revenue, cost and technical accounting governance, including intercompany, transfer pricing, cost control and fixed assets.
- Lead GL Leads and the wider R2R organisation while driving transformation, automation, AI adoption and cross-functional strategic delivery.
About the Candidate
Essential requirements
- Fully qualified accountant, such as CA, ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent.
- Significant experience leading Record to Report in a complex, global organisation, with Controller or senior GL leadership ownership.
- Deep expertise across general ledger, revenue and cost accounting, acting as custodian of financial integrity and control.
- Proven ownership of Balance Sheet Substantiation, financial narrative, senior stakeholder insight and senior-level financial challenge.
- Ability to lead multi-layered teams, including leaders, with strong stakeholder engagement and confidence to influence and challenge.
- Experience as the final escalation point for R2R financial and control risk, using Oracle or a similar ERP within global and outsourced delivery models.
Preferred experience
- Strong experience leading transformation, automation and AI initiatives within Record to Report or a comparable finance operations environment.
We are proud to be a Disability Confident Committed employer.
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.
- 40 days’ annual leave
- 16% employer pension contribution
- A discretionary performance-based bonus (where applicable)
- Private healthcare
- A range of flexible benefits – including gym discounts, season ticket loans and access to an employee discount portal.
When you join us, your reward will be one of the best around.
Our business
Enabling our clients to be better investors drives everything we do. Our business is structured around three distinct areas – our vectors of growth – focused on our clients’ changing needs.
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.
GL Lead Controller employer: abrdn
Aberdeen is an exceptional employer, offering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With generous benefits such as 40 days of annual leave, a substantial pension contribution, and a flexible working approach, employees are empowered to thrive both personally and professionally. The company fosters a culture of collaboration and diversity, ensuring that every voice is heard and valued, making it an ideal place for those seeking meaningful and rewarding employment in the field of resilience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land GL Lead Controller
✨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 abrdn. 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 GL Lead Controller
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 abrdn.
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 abrdn'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 abrdn
✨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 abrdn.
✨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 abrdn 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 abrdn 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.
