At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control and reporting for a dynamic, multi-divisional services group.
- Company: Join a large, investor-backed services group with a focus on financial excellence.
- Benefits: Competitive day rate, hybrid working, and the chance to drive finance transformation.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth while working closely with finance leadership.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on financial processes and reporting in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Fully qualified accountant with significant experience in financial control.
A PE-backed, multi-divisional services group is seeking an experienced Interim Financial Controller to take ownership of the end-to-end financial control and close process, drive process changes and support upcoming finance transformation initiatives.
The position will provide the Divisional Finance Director with accurate, reliable and commentary-ready financial information, enabling greater focus on commercial performance, operational decision-making and delivery against the investment plan.
The Company is a large, investor-backed services group operating through multiple divisions, entities and service lines. The business has a complex finance structure combining divisional teams with centralised reporting and FP&A capabilities. The group is focused on strengthening financial control, standardising reporting processes and improving the quality, accuracy and pace of financial information across the organisation.
The Role is based in Abingdon and reports directly to the Divisional Finance Director, with a dotted reporting line to the Group Financial Controller. You will be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the divisional P&L and balance sheet. This is a visible role requiring strong financial control, technical accounting and stakeholder management capability.
Key responsibilities include:
- Managing the end-to-end divisional month-end close, including the trial balance, journals, P&L review and balance sheet sign-off
- Reviewing the trial balance against prior month, budget and forecast
- Identifying required adjustments and providing clear instructions to the General Accounting team
- Directing Management Accountants on revenue, direct cost and materials accruals
- Managing judgement-based accounting across revenue, WIP, direct costs and provisions
- Reviewing and challenging revenue recognition, accruals, provisions and other accounting judgements
- Leading the production and sign-off of the divisional results pack
- Submitting accurate financial information to Group Reporting within the agreed timetable
- Providing the Divisional Finance Director with commentary on actuals, run-rate performance and accounting movements
- Acting as the first point of escalation for accounting policy and process queries within the division
- Ensuring compliance with group accounting policies, processes and reporting standards
- Maintaining a dotted-line relationship with the Group Financial Controller on technical accounting, governance and close compliance
- Working with the FP&A Centre of Excellence to support management information, forecasting and planning cycles
Your Profile: Fully qualified accountant, with ACA, ACCA or CIMA. Significant Financial Controller or Divisional Controller experience. Experience supporting finance transformation, including process mapping and redesign. Strong technical accounting knowledge, including revenue recognition, WIP, accruals and provisions. Experience within services, outsourced services, contracting or project-led environments. Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, PE-backed environment.
Compensation & Benefits: This interim role offers a day rate of £450-600 per day, dependent on experience, based in Abingdon, on a hybrid basis (3 days per week). The position provides the opportunity to take ownership of financial control for a significant division within a large PE-backed services group, working closely with divisional and group finance leadership to improve reporting quality, control and close performance.
Financial Controller in Abingdon employer: Cedar
Cedar is an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration in the field of major rail infrastructure projects. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide ample opportunities for career progression alongside competitive benefits such as private medical insurance. Join us in a vibrant location where your expertise in M&E construction will be valued and rewarded.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Abingdon
✨Join Financial Networking Events
Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.
✨Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance
Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like Cedar.
✨Connect with Alumni from Your Uni
Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.
✨Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites
Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like Cedar might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Abingdon
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!
Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at Cedar will be keen to see in your application.
Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at Cedar. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!
Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give Cedar confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cedar
✨Brush Up on Financial Regulations
Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with Cedar.
✨Showcase Your Analytical Skills
Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.
✨Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability
For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure Cedar that you’re a reliable team player.
✨Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn
In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.
