Group Financial Controller

Group Financial Controller

Full-Time 60000 - 80000 £ / year (est.) No working from home possible
Citygate Automotive Ltd

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead and develop finance and vehicle admin teams while driving business performance.
  • Company: Join Citygate, a thriving business with a strong team culture and global brand partnerships.
  • Benefits: Enjoy training opportunities, high street discounts, wellbeing support, and competitive holidays.
  • Other info: Be part of a successful team with excellent internal progression opportunities.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while growing your career in a supportive environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong finance knowledge, leadership skills, and a passion for commercial decision-making.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.

The Group Financial Controller is a senior management role which will take responsibility for managing the day-to-day operations of the Finance Department and for providing key financial support and advice to operational teams across the Group. It also has responsibility for managing the Vehicle Administration Department.

Key outputs from the Finance Department include:

  • Management information
  • Commercial decision support
  • Reporting for banks and finance houses
  • Statutory accounts
  • Cash and working capital management
  • Compliance with all relevant fiscal and financial obligations
  • Financial control and other risk management
  • Payroll
  • Transaction processing
  • Cash collection
  • Supplier payments

Key outputs from the Vehicle Administration Department include:

  • Vehicle stock set up and control
  • Vehicle funding
  • Vehicle registration

The ability to manage and motivate a team, a broad knowledge of finance, accounting and compliance issues, and commercial ability are key to success in this role. The role will form a key part of the long-term development and succession plan within the finance function.

Key Responsibilities

The main duties of the Group Financial Controller are to:

  • Lead, coach, manage, motivate and develop the finance team and the vehicle administration team
  • Help drive improvement in business performance
  • Support commercial decision-making by providing financial advice to operational management
  • Liaise with Operations Directors on all matters involving the finance function
  • Ensure on-time delivery of good quality monthly management information
  • Ensure on-time delivery of good quality monthly bank and finance house reports
  • Ensure cash-flow management delivers the right balance of forecast visibility, interest cost management, and improved return on capital employed
  • Ensure on-time delivery of statutory accounts
  • Ensure on-time delivery of accurate fiscal returns, for example quarterly VAT returns
  • Take ownership of the operational budget and forecast processes
  • Ensure that the payroll function is run efficiently and employees are paid accurately
  • Ensure transactional processing is efficiently carried out
  • Ensure the nominal ledger is properly controlled and the business does not encounter surprises due to unexpected balance sheet adjustments
  • Lead the development and implementation of financial policies, controls, and processes
  • Develop and improve management information to provide a relevant, broad and balanced picture of the group's performance and outlook
  • Influence tight control of indirect costs
  • Participate in key company projects
  • Deputise for the Chief Financial Officer as required
  • Carry out any other duties reasonably required

What's in it for you?

With our benefits there is something good for everyone. We're a progressive business that believes building a good team culture is not only good for everyone who works for us – but it makes a difference to how we engage with customers too. That's why when you join Citygate, you can expect to receive a wide range of impressive employee benefits including:

  • Access to our in-house training academy for everyone
  • Internal career progression opportunities across our various brands and locations
  • High street discounts
  • Wellbeing portal
  • Employee assistance programme
  • Purchase, service and parts discounts
  • Employee referral scheme
  • Standard company benefits such as pension, life assurance cover, competitive holidays and cycle to work scheme

Why Citygate

Citygate is a highly successful, privately owned business that has grown significantly over the past twenty years to 650 employees across multiple locations including London, Berkshire, Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire. We work with global brands (Volkswagen Passenger Cars, Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles, SEAT, CUPRA, ŠKODA and Kia), provide excellent quality training and internal progression opportunities.

Group Financial Controller employer: Citygate Automotive Ltd

Citygate is an exceptional employer that prioritises a strong team culture and employee development, making it an ideal place for the Group Financial Controller to thrive. With access to an in-house training academy, internal career progression opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package including wellbeing support and high street discounts, employees are empowered to grow both personally and professionally. Located across multiple regions including London and the Home Counties, Citygate offers a dynamic work environment where collaboration with global brands enhances the overall experience.

Citygate Automotive Ltd

Contact Details:

Citygate Automotive Ltd Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Group Financial Controller

Tip Number 1

Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance industry and let them know you're on the lookout for opportunities. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Group Financial Controller role or can put in a good word for you.

Tip Number 2

Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your financial knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you've motivated teams and improved business performance in the past. We want to see that you can bring value to our finance department!

Tip Number 3

Showcase your commercial decision-making abilities. During interviews, share specific examples of how your financial advice has influenced operational management decisions. This will demonstrate your fit for the role and how you can support our teams.

Tip Number 4

Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Citygate.

We think you need these skills to ace Group Financial Controller

Financial Management
Team Leadership
Commercial Decision-Making
Management Information Reporting
Cash Flow Management
Statutory Accounts Preparation
Payroll Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV is tailored to the Group Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience in managing finance teams, providing financial advice, and any relevant compliance knowledge. We want to see how your skills align with what we're looking for!

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 how you've driven business performance and supported decision-making in previous positions. We love a good story!

Showcase Your Leadership Skills:As a Group Financial Controller, you'll be leading teams. Make sure to highlight your leadership experience in both your CV and cover letter. We want to know how you've motivated and developed your team in the past!

Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows us you're keen on joining our team at Citygate!

How to prepare for a job interview at Citygate Automotive Ltd

Know Your Numbers

As a Group Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used them to drive business performance in the past. This shows you understand the role's demands and can hit the ground running.

Showcase Leadership Skills

This role requires managing and motivating teams, so be prepared to share examples of how you've successfully led finance or administration teams before. Highlight specific instances where your leadership made a tangible difference to team performance or morale.

Understand the Business

Familiarise yourself with Citygate's operations and the brands they work with. Being able to discuss how financial decisions impact operational success will impress interviewers. It shows you're not just a numbers person but also understand the broader business context.

Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect questions that ask how you'd handle specific financial challenges or improve processes. Think about past experiences where you've implemented financial controls or improved cash flow management, and be ready to explain your thought process and outcomes.