Strategic Finance Controller for a Regulated Brokerage

Company Overview

EC Markets is a leading global financial brokerage specialising in FX, CFDs, equities, SIPPs, and ISAs. With ambitious growth plans and a commitment to operational excellence, EC Markets is seeking an experienced and commercially astute Senior Financial Controller to drive financial strategy, regulatory compliance, and operational management across the business.

This is a high-impact leadership role that sits at the intersection of finance, regulation, and strategy. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial infrastructure of a dynamic, growth-oriented firm operating in a complex and heavily regulated environment.

Role Purpose

The Senior Financial Controller will provide strategic direction and hands-on leadership across budgeting, forecasting, regulatory compliance, financial reporting, risk management, and technology adoption. This role is pivotal to aligning EC Markets' financial planning with its evolving business model and regulatory environment, enabling sustainable growth and operational resilience.

The role carries direct accountability for regulatory reporting obligations — including CASS 7, MIFIDPRU, and supporting ICARA process — as well as oversight of audit activities, invoice management, and day-to-day financial operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Strategy and Planning
  • Lead budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning activities to support business growth and operational efficiency.
  • Provide insightful financial analysis to guide business decisions and align financial strategy with EC Markets’ product suite including equities, CFDs, FX, SIPPs, and ISAs.
  • Produce and maintain financial forecasts in collaboration with senior leadership and the management accountant.
  • Support the CEO and Board with financial decision-making, including partnership negotiations and product development initiatives.
• Regulatory Compliance and Reporting
  • Ensure full compliance with FCA prudential regulations, including MIFIDPRU capital adequacy rules and CASS client money requirements.
  • Maintain comprehensive knowledge of CASS 7 rules, including all applicable reporting obligations.
  • Oversee regulatory reporting requirements under MIFIDPRU, specifically MIF001, MIF002, MIF003, and MIF004 submissions.
  • Develop and maintain a thorough understanding of K-factor calculations and their application to the firm’s prudential capital requirements.
  • Work with the Head of Risk on the ICARA process, including financial forecasts, stress testing, and wind-down planning.
  • Collaborate with compliance and risk teams on all regulatory filings and best practices.
• CASS and Client Money Oversight
  • Take ownership of CASS 7 oversight, ensuring client money rules are understood, implemented, and adhered to across the business.
  • Oversee PSB (Primary Segregated Bank) reconciliations, margined transaction requirement reconciliations, and Client Transaction Accounts under CASS 7, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with FCA requirements.
  • Manage and complete the annual CASS audit process, including preparation, liaison with external auditors, and resolution of findings.
  • Develop and maintain robust internal CASS controls and governance frameworks to mitigate operational risk.
• Financial Operations and Reporting
  • Oversee the production of timely and accurate monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements and management accounts.
  • Manage invoice oversight, ensuring appropriate approval processes, cost allocation, and supplier management.
  • Collaborate closely with the management accountant to maintain the integrity of financial records and reporting.
  • Implement and refine financial systems, policies, and procedures specific to brokerage and trading platform needs.
  • Manage vendor and contract relationships to optimise service delivery and cost-efficiency.
• Audit Oversight
  • Act as the primary point of contact for external and internal audit engagements.
  • Coordinate audit planning, preparation of evidence packs, and management of audit findings.
  • Ensure timely resolution and sign-off of audit recommendations, escalating material issues to the Board as appropriate.
  • Maintain an audit-ready financial control environment at all times.
• Leadership and Team Development
  • Lead, manage, and develop the finance team to achieve high performance and accountability.
  • Conduct a structured skills and gap analysis across the finance function, identifying training needs and resourcing requirements.
  • Organise and optimise the finance team structure to support current and future business needs.
  • Partner with trading, technology, and compliance teams to integrate financial insights into strategic projects.
• Technology and Innovation
  • Champion the adoption of fintech and advanced data analytics tools to enhance reporting, forecasting, and operational workflows.
  • Leverage innovative technology solutions to improve financial planning and market responsiveness.

Required Profile and Skills

• Professional accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) — mandatory.
• Minimum 7 years’ senior finance experience, ideally within financial services, regulated brokerages, or investment firms.
• Demonstrable experience in FCA-regulated environments with strong working knowledge of MIFIDPRU, CASS, and MIFIDPRU.

Technical Knowledge

• CASS 7: Deep knowledge of client money rules, reconciliation requirements (including margined transaction requirements and Client Transaction Accounts), margin calculations, and reporting obligations.
• MIFIDPRU Regulatory Reporting: Hands-on experience with MIF001, MIF002, MIF003, and MIF004 submissions.
• K-Factors: Solid understanding of K-factor methodology and its application to prudential capital requirements.
• ICARA: Proven experience leading or materially contributing to the ICARA process, including stress testing and wind-down planning.
• Audit Management: Experience managing internal and external audit programmes in a regulated financial environment.
• Financial Forecasting: Strong capability in building and maintaining financial forecasts and scenario models.

Leadership and Personal Competencies

• Hands-on, pragmatic leader with the capability to build processes, controls, and teams from the ground up.
• Excellent commercial acumen coupled with strong analytical and strategic thinking abilities.
• Effective communicator and influencer, able to engage credibly with stakeholders at all levels including the Board and FCA.
• Tech-savvy with experience deploying financial systems and data analytics tools in a regulated environment.
• Proactive, resilient, and results-driven with a strong cultural fit for a dynamic, growth-focused organisation.
• Comfortable operating in a scale-up environment, willing to operate across both strategic and operational levels.

What We Offer

• A pivotal leadership role with genuine influence over the strategic direction of a fast-growing global brokerage.
• Opportunity to build and shape the finance function from a strong foundation.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial culture with a leadership team committed to doing things properly.