At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations and build scalable processes for a cutting-edge AI company.
- Company: Join a VC-backed stealth-mode company revolutionising retail with behavioural AI.
- Benefits: Flexible part-time role with competitive pay and the chance to shape the future.
- Other info: Opportunity to work autonomously and grow within a dynamic team.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a fast-paced environment while working with innovative technology.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with experience in financial leadership and compliance.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
About algo1: We’re a VC-backed stealth-mode company building behavioural AI solutions for the retail industry. Our mission is to bring the intelligence of modern machine learning directly to the in-store shopping experience. We are taking an almighty swing of the bat; it is difficult, full of risk, and exactly why we are here.
The Role: We're looking for a Senior Financial Controller to work closely with our leadership team to build and run the finance function that will scale with algo1. You'll own core financial operations end to end while building the processes, controls, and systems that let a fast-moving company scale without breaking.
What You Will Own:
- The month-end and year-end close process including management accounts, consolidated reporting, and board/investor packs
- Cash flow forecasting, burn and runway modelling, treasury, and intercompany transactions across the group
- Payroll across jurisdictions (UK PAYE, and international staff via EOR), alongside accounts payable, expenses, and the spend approval process
- Statutory compliance across the group — Companies House filings, annual accounts, VAT, corporation tax, R&D tax credit claims, and US filings in conjunction with external advisors
- Relationships with auditors, external accountants, tax advisors, and legal counsel
- The design and continuous improvement of financial controls, policies, and processes as we scale
Essential Qualifications:
- Fully qualified accountant (full ACA or ACCA membership)
- Proven experience as a financial leader
- Solid experience with UK statutory accounts, compliance, and governance, including hands-on Companies House filings
- Experience preparing management accounts and reporting for boards
- Comfortable working autonomously across a broad remit and building processes from scratch
Nice to Have:
- Exposure to multi-entity or international group structures (particularly UK/US)
- Experience with payroll across multiple jurisdictions
- Experience with R&D tax credit claims
- Experience with modern accounting and HR/payroll software (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks, Rippling)
- Familiarity with share option schemes (particularly EMI) and cap table platforms (e.g. Carta)
- Experience supporting fundraising processes, due diligence, or data room preparation
If you’re excited by the idea of shaping the future of retail and eager to make a real impact from day one, we’d love to hear from you.
Senior Financial Controller (Part-time) in London employer: algo1
At Algo1, we pride ourselves on being an innovative employer that fosters a collaborative and dynamic work culture, perfect for those passionate about behavioural AI in the retail sector. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through our focus on cutting-edge technology and best practices, providing ample opportunities for professional development while working alongside talented teams in a vibrant environment. Join us in shaping the future of retail with a clean slate approach, where your contributions will have a meaningful impact from day one.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Financial Controller (Part-time) in London
✨Dive into Financial Communities
Join financial forums and local networking events where professionals in financial controlling hang out. Places like the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) or local finance meetups can connect us with insiders who know about part-time opportunities, like the one at algo1.
✨Leverage Campus Resources
If we’re still studying or recently graduated, let’s not forget to use our university’s career services. They often have leads on part-time roles in financial controlling, particularly with companies looking for students to fill these positions, making it a win-win!
✨Demonstrate Your Skills Publicly
Share your insights on financial topics through blogs or LinkedIn posts. Showcasing our expertise in areas like budgeting, forecasting, or variance analysis can attract the attention of potential employers, including algo1. Plus, it sets us apart from other candidates.
✨Check Out Freelance Platforms
Even for a part-time gig, consider platforms like Upwork or Freelancer. They often have short-term projects in financial controlling, and landing one can help us build our portfolio. Keep an eye on roles that could lead to more permanent positions at places like algo1.
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Financial Controller (Part-time) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Financial Acumen:For a role in financial controlling, we really want to see your analytical skills shine through. Make sure your CV highlights any coursework or experience with financial analysis, budgeting, and forecasting. If you've worked on any projects that involved financial modelling, definitely mention those!
Quantified Achievements Are Key:In financial roles, numbers speak volumes. When detailing your experience, use quantifiable achievements whenever possible. For example, if you helped reduce costs or improved a process, include the percentage or amount saved. This will make your application really pop!
Tailor Your Cover Letter to Part-Time Availability:Since this is a part-time position, it's super important to specify your availability in your cover letter. We want to know when you can work and how you plan to balance this role with other commitments. Highlight your motivation for joining algo1 and why this flexibility fits your lifestyle.
Highlight Relevant Qualifications:If you have any certifications related to finance or accounting (like ACCA or CIMA), make sure they're front and centre in your application. Even if you're studying towards a qualification, mention that too! It shows your commitment to the field and continuous improvement.
How to prepare for a job interview at algo1
✨Get comfy with numbers!
Since you're diving into financial controlling, be ready to crunch some numbers during the interview. Brush up on key financial concepts and be prepared for technical questions about budgeting, forecasting, and variance analysis. Practicing some numerical problems will really help us shine!
✨Show off your analytical skills
For a part-time role in financial controlling, you'll likely face scenario-based questions. Prepare to discuss how you would analyse company performance or tackle cash flow issues. We want to demonstrate our problem-solving approach and critical thinking—making a sense of data is key!
✨Bring your portfolio of wins
Even if it’s part-time, showcasing our past experience can set us apart. Gather examples of projects where you implemented financial controls or helped improve reporting processes. Concrete achievements give us an edge, showing that we can deliver real value to algo1.
✨Know the part-time game
With part-time roles, employers want to see that we can effectively manage our time. Be ready to discuss our availability and how we plan to balance work and other commitments. We should convey our motivation and readiness to contribute without compromising quality!
