Head of Management Accounting | Build, Improve, Move into FP&A in London

Head of Management Accounting | Build, Improve, Move into FP&A in London

London Full-Time 63000 - 77000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
Butler Rose Careers

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and improve a management accounting team while shaping financial insights.
  • Company: Dynamic private equity-backed professional services group with global reach.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, performance bonus, health benefits, and hybrid working.
  • Other info: Opportunity to transition into FP&A leadership within a fast-paced environment.
  • Why this job: Shape financial processes and influence the future of finance in a growing organisation.
  • Qualifications: Qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA with strong leadership and stakeholder management skills.

The predicted salary is between 63000 - 77000 £ per year.

This is more than an opportunity to lead a management accounting team. It's an opportunity to take ownership of a significant finance function within a £700m+ turnover, private equity-backed international professional services group - review how it operates, improve it, and potentially use the role as a platform into FP&A leadership.

The business operates through 26 brands across 24 global locations and is headquartered in Central London.

The opportunity

Reporting directly to an ambitious and highly regarded Group Financial Controller, you'll inherit a team of 14 Management Accountants, predominantly working remotely overseas. Your initial mandate is straightforward: Understand the management accounting function. Challenge it. Strengthen it. Make it better. You'll review existing processes, reporting and controls to ensure the team is producing accurate, timely and genuinely useful financial information. This isn't simply about getting the numbers out. The business wants someone who can bring greater rigour to the numbers while improving the quality of insight behind them - helping finance engage more effectively with stakeholders across a complex, international organisation. Once established, the opportunity becomes broader. There is a clear expectation that the successful individual can develop beyond traditional management accounting, gaining increasing exposure to FP&A, commercial finance and forward-looking analysis.

What we're looking for

  • You'll already be an accomplished management accounting leader who combines strong technical accounting capability with credible people and stakeholder management skills.
  • ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified.
  • Practice trained, with a strong technical foundation.
  • Experienced in leading a management accounting function or sizeable team.
  • Rigorous around accuracy, controls, reconciliations and reporting quality.
  • Comfortable reviewing existing processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
  • An effective business partner who can communicate financial information beyond the finance team.
  • Comfortable operating within a large, fast-moving and commercially ambitious organisation.

You don't need to arrive with an FP&A leadership background. The opportunity to develop into that space is part of the attraction.

Why consider it?

There are plenty of Head of Management Accounting roles that offer responsibility for producing the numbers. This one offers the opportunity to shape how those numbers are produced, improve what they tell the business and influence what the finance function becomes next. Alongside a competitive base salary and extensive health and wellbeing benefits, there is an individual performance-related bonus paying up to 15% quarterly. Hybrid working is well established, with typically just two days per week in the Central London office once you're fully embedded in the role. The position is available due to a leaver, so someone available at relatively short notice would be welcomed. However, experience, capability and long-term fit take priority over availability.

If you're a technically strong finance leader who enjoys improving a function rather than simply inheriting one - and you'd like your next move to open the door to broader FP&A leadership - this is a conversation worth having.

To be considered for the role you must be eligible to work in the UK without restriction.

Head of Management Accounting | Build, Improve, Move into FP&A in London employer: Butler Rose Careers

Join a leading Top 10 accountancy firm in Norwich, where you will thrive in a dynamic work culture that prioritises professional growth and development. With a diverse client portfolio and a supportive team environment, you'll have the opportunity to enhance your audit skills while taking ownership of assignments and building valuable client relationships. Enjoy competitive salaries and a commitment to employee well-being, making this an excellent place for meaningful and rewarding employment.

Butler Rose Careers

Contact Details:

Butler Rose Careers Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Head of Management Accounting | Build, Improve, Move into FP&A in London

Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks

The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!

Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences

Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Butler Rose Careers. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!

Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise

Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Butler Rose Careers.

Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites

Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Butler Rose Careers. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!

We think you need these skills to ace Head of Management Accounting | Build, Improve, Move into FP&A in London

Management Accounting
Financial Reporting
Stakeholder Management
Process Improvement
Technical Accounting
Accuracy and Controls
Reconciliations

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.

Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Butler Rose Careers and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!

Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.

Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Butler Rose Careers how you can be a team player!

How to prepare for a job interview at Butler Rose Careers

Brush Up on Technical Skills

Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!

Showcase Your Financial Acumen

If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Butler Rose Careers.

Know Your Numbers

In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.

Connect with Company Goals

Familiarise yourself with Butler Rose Careers's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!