At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial operations and ensure compliance while driving automation and efficiency.
- Company: Join a B-Corp certified company dedicated to healthy dog food and sustainability.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, personal development budget, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with lots of office dogs and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on a growing business that cares about dogs and the planet.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with strong technical expertise and a passion for process improvement.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
Fresh Food, Happy Dogs. We believe dogs deserve the healthiest, most natural and tastiest meals - with none of the nasties. That’s why we make FRESHly prepared food, cooked just like you would at home and delivered direct to our customers in perfect portions. As a B-Corp certified company, you’re joining a sustainable business that genuinely cares about our people, our products and our impact on the planet. Our goal is simple: to help dogs live healthier, happier, and longer lives, while leaving humans smiling after every interaction.
As we continue our rapid international expansion, we are seeking a proactive, technically brilliant, and transformation-minded Group Financial Controller to join our high-performing Finance team. Reporting directly to the Group Head of Finance, this is a senior management role with significant operational remit. You will have overall responsibility for the integrity of our international financial reporting, robust governance, and the evolution of our financial operations to ensure a best-in‑class control environment that allows us to scale sustainably.
The role would suit an ambitious, forward‑thinking leader who combines strong technical capability with a passion for process automation. You are comfortable commanding a fast‑paced environment and eager to help design a scalable finance function that has a tangible, positive impact on our growth.
Key Responsibilities- Financial Control & Regulatory Governance
- Statutory & External Reporting: Own the end‑to‑end preparation and delivery of statutory accounting across the Group, ensuring absolute compliance with UK GAAP/FRS 102 and relevant international frameworks.
- Relationship Management: Act as the primary contact and senior liaison for external auditors, tax authorities, and relevant external advisory relationships, driving a smooth, efficient annual audit process.
- Balance Sheet Governance: Maintain rigorous balance sheet hygiene, taking ownership of key financial judgments, estimates, and comprehensive periodic reconciliations.
- Control Environment: Champion a best‑in‑class control framework by designing, embedding, and continuously improving robust internal controls across day‑to‑day and periodic processes.
- Compliance: Stay ahead of the curve with regulatory changes to ensure the business is able to keep pace with requirements as it scales (e.g. e‑invoicing, payment practices, ONS reporting, etc.). Work closely with the Head of Tax to ensure flawless execution of key filings and support on the implementation of Group tax strategy.
- Systems Thinking & Finance Transformation
- Technology & Productivity: Act as a core systems thinker for the function. Proactively identify and execute opportunities to drive massive productivity gains through ERP optimisation, automation, and advanced financial tools.
- Data Integrity: Enforce master data governance and chart of accounts discipline to enhance data integrity and support real‑time, self‑service analytics across a scaling business.
- AI‑Enabled Function: Actively spearhead the continuous evolution of our financial reporting towards an AI‑enabled environment, eliminating manual workflows.
- Operational Finance & "Lights Out" AP
- Transactional Leadership: Oversee the day‑to‑day transactional finance team, ensuring rigorous governance over payment runs and general ledger management.
- Lights Out AP Vision: Take strategic oversight of the Accounts Payable function, actively architecting and driving forward a vision toward a fully automated, touchless (lights out) AP infrastructure.
- Cash & Treasury Support: Monitor day‑to‑day liquidity, manage group intercompany recharges/reconciliations, and support the Group consolidation process.
- Leadership
- Team Leadership: Help lead, mentor, and develop individuals across the financial accounting team. Foster an elite, high‑performance culture focused on professional growth and operational excellence.
- Experience & Qualifications
- Fully qualified accountant—ACA/CA strongly preferred.
- Open to exceptional candidates coming straight from a Big 4 senior manager+ track, or those with equivalent high‑calibre technical experience in a complex, fast‑growing industry environment.
- Deep technical accounting expertise, strong understanding of consolidations, and a robust grasp of internal financial control governance.
- Experience with or exposure to a product‑led, multi‑entity business model (e.g. FMCG, retail, e‑commerce, manufacturing) is a strong advantage.
- Skills & Attributes
- A true "systems thinker" with a demonstrated curiosity or track record in system integrations, ERP optimisation and/or deploying automation tools.
- Highly confident communicator who thrives in a fast‑paced, high‑accountability growth environment and genuinely enjoys evolving processes on the go.
- Highly competent Excel user capable of sophisticated data manipulation.
- Highly curious, ambitious, and collaborative leader who naturally strives for better every day.
- A genuine love of Dogs is absolutely essential!
- 25 days holiday (plus 8 bank holidays) and an additional day for every year of service up to 5 years.
- 5 additional, paid "paws" days off per year dedicated to your learning, development or personal wellbeing.
- £500 personal learning & development budget to sharpen your skills.
- Share options grant—everyone owns a piece of Butternut's success.
- A significant discount on our Fresh food, to keep your own dogs as healthy as our customers.
- Enhanced parental leave.
- Flexible core working hours.
- Cycle to work scheme.
- Pension with NEST.
- Private Medical Insurance with Vitality.
- Private Dental Insurance with Bupa.
- Paid time off for fertility treatments and pregnancy loss.
- Paid sabbaticals for squad members with 5 or more years service at Butternut.
- Discounted gym access through MyGym.
- Lots of office dogs (Ajax, Peggy, Chief, Louis, Hansen, Winnie and many more…)
- We recommend getting your application in as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close the role early.
- Our team thrives on collaboration. We spend 3 days a week in our West London office (Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and 2 days working from wherever you’re most productive.
- For this specific role, we’re unable to offer visa sponsorship, so you’ll need the right to work in the UK.
- Butternut Box is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that to make the best food for all dogs, we need a team that represents all humans. We celebrate different nationalities, backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Group Financial Controller employer: Butternut Box
At Butternut Box, we pride ourselves on being a B-Corp certified company that not only prioritises the health and happiness of dogs but also fosters a vibrant and inclusive work culture for our employees. With generous benefits such as 25 days holiday, additional 'paws' days for personal development, and a commitment to professional growth, we empower our team to thrive in a fast-paced environment while making a positive impact on the world. Join us in our West London office, where collaboration and a shared love for dogs create a unique and rewarding workplace experience.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Financial 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 Butternut Box. 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 Group Financial 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 Butternut Box.
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 Butternut Box'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 Butternut Box
✨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 Butternut Box.
✨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 Butternut Box 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 Butternut Box 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.
