Financial Controller - Immediate in Edinburgh

Exergy3 is a pioneering company specialising in ultra-high temperature thermal energy storage technology, with a mission to drive the decarbonisation of heat across Europe and beyond. As a spin-out from the University of Edinburgh, we are at the forefront of clean heat innovation, providing scalable, efficient, and cost-effective decarbonisation solutions for industrial processes and large-scale building heating.

We are looking for a Financial Controller who will manage the financial operations of the company, an individual who thrives in a dynamic startup environment, enjoys building financial processes from the ground up, and wants to make a real impact in energy innovation. Based in our Edinburgh office, this is an exciting opportunity for the right individual to scale and shape the future of the Exergy3 finance function.

This role will ideally suit an experienced, technically strong finance professional with real breadth and influence. You’ll ensure the organisation’s core financial operations are well-run, compliant, and resilient. This is a role for someone who takes pride in strong fundamentals, clear reporting, and building solid systems and processes.

Reporting into the CEO (initially), your role will include:

• Assessing, improving, and implementing new systems, controls and procedures.
• Producing monthly management information, cashflows, budgets, forecasts, payroll and any other duties as required by the organisation.
• Automating several manual legacy processes and helping the business become more efficient as we expand into Europe (GmbH).
• Partnering with leadership on decision-making, financial management, and investor reporting.
• Overseeing payroll, accounts payable/receivable, supporting and developing a growing finance team.
• Owning month-end and year-end close, producing accurate financial reports and insights.
• Leading budgeting, forecasting, and long-term planning across all business functions.
• Managing cash flow forecasting and ensuring financial sustainability through growth.
• Building and maintaining internal controls, compliance, and audit readiness.
• Ensuring UK statutory and tax compliance, while preparing for international expansion (GmbH).
• Overseeing financial management of the company, including direct management of processes including purchase invoices, sales, credit/bank card reconciliations and expenses reconciliations.
• Leading on developing budgets for prospective projects in line with business strategy.
• Preparing quarterly management accounts with cash flow forecasts.
• Creating and maintaining annual and multi-year budgets, including Company Budget and Management Accounts, ensuring expenditure is tightly controlled, and savings are made where possible.
• Managing the reconciliation of project budgets and monitoring expenditure by the wider team.
• Supporting the Company in developing new financial systems and practices in line with company growth.
• Processing invoices and payroll, ensuring that all payments are processed in a timely manner.
• Ensuring appropriate and up to date financial risk management (policies, procedures, controls) are embedded throughout the company at strategic and operational levels.
• Managing grant and investment financial reporting and claims.
• Managing all internal record keeping and online finance systems (Xero).
• Preparation of VAT returns, the annual report and year end accounts.

Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance role in an SME or start-up:

• At least 5 years’ experience of working in financial or management reporting in a similar role with comparable responsibilities and targets.
• Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, ACA or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of management accounting and cash-flow management.
• Demonstrable knowledge of Xero and other accounting software; advanced Excel skills.
• Experience of working closely with budget holders and non-finance stakeholders.