At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, manage teams, and drive system improvements in a dynamic environment.
- Company: Join a rapidly growing online car-changing platform with a vibrant culture.
- Benefits: Enjoy hybrid working, competitive salary, generous leave, and wellness support.
- Other info: Diversity and inclusion are key; we welcome all backgrounds to apply.
- Why this job: Be part of a transformative team that shapes the future of automotive finance.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance management and strong system expertise required.
The predicted salary is between 66150 - 80850 £ per year.
OUR MISSION To become the car-changing destination of choice. By combining technology, media and deep automotive expertise, we've turned how people buy, sell, advertise and lease cars on its head. What started as a simple reviews site is now one of the largest online car-changing destinations in Europe. Last year alone we grew over 50% with nearly 3bn worth of cars bought on site, while 1.8bn of cars were listed for sale through our Sell My Car service. In 2024 we went big and acquired Autovia - creators of AutoExpress and Evo magazines - doubling our audience overnight. Together we now have one of the biggest YouTube channels in the world with almost 10m subscribers and over 1.1 billion annual views, while we sell 1.2 million print copies of our magazines and have an annual web content reach over 350 million. And we’re a long way from done!
THE ROLE The Transactional Financial Controller owns the full Accounts Payable, Billing function, Credit control, working capital management, and banking operations across the group, while also leading the ongoing automation and optimisation of the finance systems that underpin transactional finance. This is a hybrid role based in London combining hands-on operational leadership of AP, Billing and credit control teams and processes with responsibility for driving system-led improvement, control, and efficiency across the wider finance systems landscape along with the Finance transformation team. This role has line management responsibility for a team based in London and Porto, working under hybrid and remote arrangements.
WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING
- Transactional Finance (AP, Billing and Credit control) Management
- Full management of the Accounts Payable and Billing and Credit control functions, including team leadership, prioritisation and quality control.
- Oversight of all banking and expense transactions, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and appropriate controls.
- Own working capital management, including planning and execution of payment runs.
- Implement and manage the Purchase Order (PO) system end-to-end, liaising with stakeholders across the business to ensure compliance and efficient processing.
- Act as the escalation point for AP, Billing and Credit control queries, both internal and external, ensuring timely and professional resolution.
- Oversee & drive DSO performance improvement, setting and monitoring cash collection targets and driving corrective action where collection is behind plan by using escalation channels with various business stakeholders.
- Overseeing the review AR ledgers regularly, identifying and escalating aged debt in line with credit control policy.
- Line-manage direct reports based in Portugal & London, while providing day-to-day supervision and quality oversight of AP, Billing and Credit Control activity across the UK, Portugal, Germany and Spain.
- Partner with the Director of Financial Control and wider Finance team on reporting, audit requirements and process governance.
- Finance Systems & Process Improvement
- Support along with Finance Transformation the finance systems automation roadmap, driving the elimination of manual processes and delivering scalable, efficient finance operations.
- Own the optimisation of the finance systems landscape, reviewing and enhancing NetSuite integrations with Moss, Precoro, Abacum, Salesforce and QV to ensure scalability, data integrity, and accurate revenue recognition.
- Drive continuous improvement of finance system integrations and workflows, proactively identifying and resolving issues to enhance performance, reliability, and user experience.
- Lead the transformation of Billing and AP processes through enhanced controls, automated workflows, invoice validation, credit management, supplier remittance optimisation, and customer communications.
- Drive continuous improvement of transactional and billing processes, with a focus on automation and efficiency gains.
- Supporting with Finance Transformation the rollout of a unified Source-to-Procure (S2P) solution — consolidating procurement, support ticketing, contract management, and expense reimbursement into one platform to improve control and user experience.
- Ensure alignment between NetSuite financial reporting (Profit & Loss and Balance Sheet) and Abacum planning and forecasting models to provide consistent financial insights across the business.
- Establish and maintain effective finance systems governance through the optimisation of user roles, permissions, access controls, and segregation of duties.
- Partner with Finance, Technology, and Business stakeholders to ensure finance systems effectively support commercial growth, operational excellence, and evolving business requirements.
COMPETENCIES
- Team management: Experience managing a team, delegating effectively and developing (5) direct reports.
- Stakeholder management: Able to build relationships and influence across Finance, Technology & product and the business stakeholders.
- System expertise: Strong proficiency with NetSuite, Salesforce, Moss, Precoro, Abacum and Banking tools.
- Finance foundations: Solid grounding in financial operations, accounting and finance principles.
- Problem-solving: Able to troubleshoot system issues and implement effective solutions.
- Attention to detail: High accuracy in managing data integrity and financial records.
- Technical & analytical skills: Understanding of databases and being able to analyse processes and data flows to optimise system performance.
- AI: High level of proficiency in Claude, Gemini.
- Communication: Strong written and verbal communication with technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Project management: Experience managing system implementations, upgrades or process improvement projects.
- Prioritisation: Ability to manage competing priorities between multiple scopes.
INTERVIEW PROCESS
- Step 1: People Team Screening Call (30 min)
- Step 2: Hiring Team Call: Experience (60 mins)
- Step 3: Technical Task In-Person (60 mins)
- Step 4: Exec Call (60 mins)
- Step 5: Values Interview (45 min)
WHAT'S IN IT FOR YOU
- Hybrid working
- Competitive salary to fund that dream holiday to Bali
- Matched pension contributions for a peaceful retirement
- Share options - when we thrive, so do you!
- Vitality Private Healthcare, for peace of mind, plus eyecare vouchers
- Life Assurance for (even more) peace of mind
- Monthly coaching sessions with Spill - our mental wellbeing partner
- Enhanced holiday package, plus Bank Holidays 28 days annual leave
- 1 day for your wedding
- 1 day off when you move house - because moving is hard enough without work!
- For your third year anniversary, get 30 days of annual leave per year
- For your tenth year anniversary, get 35 days of annual leave per year
- Option to buy 3 extra days of holiday per year
- Work from abroad for a month
- Inclusive parental, partner and shared parental leave, fertility treatment and pregnancy loss policies
- Bubble childcare support and discounted nanny fees for little ones
- The latest tech (Macbook or Surface) to power your gif-sending talents
- Up to 500/550 home office allowance for that massage chair you’ve been talking about
- Generous learning and development budget to help you master your craft
- Regular social events: tech lunches, coffee with the exec sessions, lunch 8 learns, book clubs, social events/anything else you pester us for
- Refer a friend, get paid. Repeat for infinite money
- Diversity and inclusion is an integral part of our culture. We know that diverse teams are strong teams, so we welcome those with alternative identities, backgrounds, and experiences to apply for this position. We make recruiting decisions based on experience, skills and potential, so all our applicants are treated fairly and equally.
Location: London
Employment Type: Full time
Department: Finance & Operations
Transactional Financial Controller in London employer: Carwow
As a Senior BI Analytics Engineer at our company, you'll thrive in a dynamic and inclusive work culture that prioritises employee well-being and professional growth. With hybrid working options, competitive salaries, and generous leave policies, including additional days off for significant milestones, we ensure our team members feel valued and supported. Our commitment to diversity and continuous learning, alongside access to the latest technology and resources, makes us an exceptional employer for those seeking meaningful and rewarding careers in analytics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Transactional Financial Controller in London
✨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 Carwow. 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 Transactional Financial Controller in London
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 Carwow.
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 Carwow'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 Carwow
✨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 Carwow.
✨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 Carwow 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 Carwow 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.
