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For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and ensure accurate financial reporting in a fast-paced environment.
- Company: Dynamic start-up with a focus on growth and innovation.
- Benefits: Hybrid work model, competitive salary, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with potential for career advancement.
- Why this job: Join a high-growth company and make a real impact on financial strategies.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in finance roles and Big Four audits.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
We are seeking a highly capable and commercially aware Financial Controller to lead the finance function in a fast-paced, high-growth environment. The ideal candidate will bring strong technical accounting expertise, proven experience managing external audits with Big Four firms, and the adaptability required to operate effectively in a start-up or scale-up setting. This role requires a hands-on leader who is comfortable operating across the full spectrum of finance activities, from statutory reporting and audit management through to process development, systems improvement, and supporting commercial decision-making.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Reporting & Controls
- Oversee the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements
- Ensure compliance with IFRS/UK GAAP and all statutory reporting requirements
- Maintain and strengthen internal controls, policies, and procedures
- Own balance sheet integrity and reconciliations
- Audit Management
- Lead and coordinate annual external audits with Big Four firms (e.g. Deloitte, PwC, EY, KPMG)
- Act as primary point of contact for external auditors
- Ensure timely delivery of audit evidence and resolution of audit queries
- Drive continuous improvement in audit readiness and processes
- Start-Up / Scale-Up Finance Operations
- Operate in a hands-on capacity across all areas of finance, including:
- Accounts payable and receivable oversight
- Cash flow management and forecasting
- Payroll coordination (where applicable)
- Banking and treasury activities
- Support implementation and optimisation of finance systems and ERP platforms
- Build scalable finance processes to support business growth
- Management Reporting & Business Support
- Produce accurate and insightful management accounts
- Support budgeting, forecasting, and long-term financial planning
- Partner with senior leadership to provide financial insight and decision support
- Deliver ad-hoc analysis to support commercial initiatives and strategic projects
- Team Leadership
- Manage and develop a small finance team (or build function as business grows)
- Provide coaching and technical guidance to junior finance staff
- Foster a high-performance, collaborative finance culture
- Tax & Compliance
- Oversee VAT, corporation tax coordination, and statutory compliance
- Liaise with external advisors and tax consultants as required
- Ensure compliance with regulatory and reporting obligations
Key Requirements
- Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACCA / ACA / CIMA or equivalent)
- Significant experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role
- Proven track record working with Big Four audit firms
- Experience in a start-up, scale-up, or high-growth environment
- Strong exposure to end-to-end finance operations
- Technical Skills
- Strong knowledge of IFRS and/or UK GAAP
- Advanced financial reporting and consolidation experience
- Strong Excel and financial systems capability (ERP experience essential)
- Experience implementing or improving finance systems/processes
- Personal Attributes
- Hands-on and willing to operate at all levels of detail
- Comfortable working in ambiguity and fast-changing environments
- Strong commercial awareness and business partnering mindset
- High attention to detail with a strong focus on accuracy and control
- Proactive, self-starter with a continuous improvement mindset
- Strong communication skills, able to engage both finance and non-finance stakeholders
- Desirable Experience
- Experience in venture-backed or PE-backed businesses
- Exposure to fundraising, investor reporting, or due diligence processes
- Experience scaling a finance function from early stage to maturity
- Systems implementation (e.g. NetSuite, Sage Intacct, SAP, Oracle)
What Success Looks Like
- Clean, timely, and audit-ready financial reporting
- Smooth, efficient external audit process with minimal issues
- Robust financial controls suitable for scaling business
- Reliable forecasting and cash visibility for leadership team
- A finance function that evolves in line with business growth
Financial Controller in London employer: Cheshire Solutions Limited
Contact Detail:
Cheshire Solutions Limited Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who've worked in start-ups or with Big Four firms. A friendly chat can lead to insider info about job openings that aren't even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical skills and understanding of IFRS/UK GAAP. We want you to be ready to showcase your expertise in financial reporting and audit management, so practice common interview questions related to these areas.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t forget to highlight your adaptability! In a fast-paced environment, being hands-on and comfortable with ambiguity is key. Share examples from your past where you've successfully navigated change or improved processes.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative to connect directly with us.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience with Big Four firms and any hands-on finance operations you've managed. We want to see how your skills align with our fast-paced, high-growth environment!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of your achievements in financial reporting and audit management that demonstrate your adaptability and commercial awareness.
Showcase Your Technical Skills: Don’t forget to highlight your technical skills, especially your knowledge of IFRS/UK GAAP and experience with ERP systems. We’re looking for someone who can hit the ground running, so make sure we know you’ve got the chops!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. We can’t wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Cheshire Solutions Limited
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you’ll need to demonstrate your technical accounting expertise. Brush up on IFRS and UK GAAP regulations, and be ready to discuss how you've applied these in previous roles. Prepare examples of financial statements you've overseen and any challenges you've faced during audits.
✨Audit Experience is Key
Since the role involves managing external audits with Big Four firms, be prepared to talk about your experience in this area. Highlight specific instances where you led audit processes, resolved queries, or improved audit readiness. This will show your hands-on leadership style and ability to navigate complex situations.
✨Showcase Your Adaptability
This position requires someone who thrives in fast-paced environments. Share examples from your past where you successfully adapted to change, whether it was implementing new finance systems or scaling operations. Emphasise your proactive approach and continuous improvement mindset.
✨Engage with Stakeholders
Strong communication skills are essential for this role. Prepare to discuss how you've partnered with senior leadership or non-finance stakeholders to provide financial insights. Think of specific projects where your financial analysis influenced business decisions, showcasing your commercial awareness.