At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial strategy and reporting, ensuring robust insights for decision-making.
- Company: Fast-growing business at the intersection of collectibles and technology.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on continuous improvement and career development.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and shape the financial future of an innovative company.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance, strong communication skills, and strategic thinking.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
Location: Banbury (primarily on-site, with flexibility as appropriate)
Hours: Monday – Friday, 9:00am – 5:00pm
Salary: Dependent on experience
Reports to: Directors
Ace Grading is a fast-growing specialist business operating at the intersection of collectibles, technology, and precision manufacturing. We provide authentication, grading, and encapsulation services for trading cards, combining forensic-grade processes, custom tooling, and secure design to protect and elevate collectibles for customers worldwide. As demand continues to grow, we are now focused on strengthening our financial structure, improving visibility, and building the foundations required to support long-term, sustainable growth.
Role Description
We are looking for a Financial Controller to act as the most senior finance presence within the business, working closely with the Directors as a trusted partner on performance, investment, and growth. This role combines full ownership of the finance function with active involvement in commercial and strategic decision‑making. You will be responsible for building robust reporting, improving financial control, and ensuring the business has clear, reliable insight to support decision‑making. You will also play a key role in holding the business to account providing clear challenge, highlighting risks, and ensuring financial discipline as the company continues to scale.
Key Responsibilities
- Act as the financial right hand to the Directors - a trusted voice on investment decisions, commercial proposals, pricing, risk, and strategic planning
- Hold the business accountable to its budgets and forecasts; provide honest, timely challenge when performance deviates from plan
- Attend and contribute to senior leadership and board discussions, translating financial data into clear recommendations and actions
- Review and appraise capital expenditure, new projects, property decisions, and commercial proposals acting as part of the approval gateway for wider business expenditure
- Deliver monthly management accounts with clear commentary, variance analysis, and forward‑looking insight not just a pack of numbers
- Produce and maintain functional KPI reporting for department and project owners, with formalised periodic reviews with business managers
- Own the annual budgeting process and ongoing reforecast cycle, including scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis to support decision‑making
- Develop and maintain cashflow reporting and short‑to‑medium term forecasting, working closely with Group treasury and banking partners
Personal Attributes
- Proactive and self‑starting, comfortable operating with ambiguity
- Confident communicator, able to translate financial data into clear business insight
- Able to challenge constructively and influence senior stakeholders
- Collaborative approach, bringing others with you rather than operating in isolation
- Equally comfortable operating at both strategic and hands‑on levels
- Curious, pragmatic, and focused on continuous improvement
Financial Controller employer: Ace Grading
Contact Detail:
Ace Grading Recruiting 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 might know someone at Ace Grading. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by diving deep into Ace Grading’s business model. Understand how finance plays a role in their growth and be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their strategic goals.
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your financial acumen by bringing examples of how you've improved financial processes in past roles. Be specific about the impact you made – numbers speak louder than words!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the team at Ace Grading.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience in financial management, strategic planning, and any relevant software skills. We want to see how you can bring value to our team!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role at Ace Grading. Share specific examples of how you've influenced financial decisions or improved processes in previous roles.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: As a Financial Controller, you'll need to communicate complex financial data clearly. In your application, demonstrate your ability to translate numbers into actionable insights. We love candidates who can make finance relatable!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come through our own channels!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ace Grading
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to drive decisions in previous roles. Prepare examples of how you've improved financial processes or reporting.
✨Understand the Business Model
Ace Grading operates at the intersection of collectibles and technology. Familiarise yourself with their business model and the specific challenges they face. This will help you tailor your responses and show that you're genuinely interested in contributing to their growth.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to handle real-world financial scenarios. Think about how you would approach budgeting, forecasting, and risk management in a fast-growing environment. Be ready to share your thought process and decision-making strategies.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a trusted partner to the Directors, your ability to communicate complex financial information clearly is crucial. Practice explaining financial concepts in simple terms and think of examples where you've successfully influenced stakeholders with your insights.