At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control in a fast-growing global business and ensure accurate financial reporting.
- Company: Join Harding+, a recognised leader in cruise retail experiences.
- Benefits: Enjoy competitive salary, annual bonus, 26 days holiday, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for professional growth and development.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance leadership while working with top cruise lines.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong experience in financial control and team leadership.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
Bristol / Avonmouth HQ | Hybrid working (2–3 days in the office)
Leading financial control is one thing. Doing it across a global, fast-growing business is another. At Harding+, we create standout retail experiences at sea, working with leading cruise lines and brand partners to make every cruise better. With the business now exceeding £300m turnover and operating across a complex international fleet, we’re looking for a Deputy Financial Controller to play a key leadership role at the heart of our finance function. This is a high-impact, high-visibility position, working closely with the Financial Controller and CFO, with real ownership, autonomy and influence across the business. Harding+ has been recognised as Cruise Retailer of the Year in 2023 and 2025. This is an opportunity to join a business that is scaling, evolving and investing in its future.
The Opportunity
This is more than a technical finance role. You’ll be a senior leader within Financial Control, responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy and performance of the group’s financial reporting, while also stepping in to lead the function when needed. You’ll take clear ownership of management and statutory accounting across a multi-entity, multi-currency environment, leading the monthly close, group consolidation and audit process. Alongside this, you’ll provide senior oversight and support across payroll, compliance, systems and transactional finance, ensuring strong controls and consistency across the function. You’ll lead management accounting and payroll through your direct reports, while supporting and strengthening the wider transactional finance functions. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, you’ll provide clear financial insight, challenge and direction, helping ensure the business operates with strong financial discipline as it continues to grow. This role combines technical expertise, leadership and judgement. You’ll be just as comfortable leading the close and audit process as you are representing finance in senior forums or driving improvements across systems and controls.
Key Areas Of Focus Will Include
- Owning the monthly management accounts, close process and financial reporting
- Leading group consolidations, statutory accounts and the external audit process
- Acting as deputy to the Financial Controller, providing leadership and continuity
- Driving improvements across financial controls, systems and reporting quality
- Providing senior oversight and support across payroll, tax and compliance
- Providing oversight and support to AP and AR functions, ensuring strong controls, accurate processing and effective cash management
- Leading and developing a team across management accounts and payroll
What We’re Looking For
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong post-qualification experience
- Proven background in a senior financial control role within a complex, multi-entity business
- Strong technical expertise across group consolidations and statutory reporting (FRS102)
- Experience leading external audits end-to-end
- Confident people leader with the ability to develop and motivate teams
- Comfortable operating with autonomy and representing finance at a senior level
- Strong systems mindset, ideally with ERP experience (Business Central or similar)
- Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders
- High attention to detail with a proactive, solutions-focused approach
Why Join Harding+?
- Annual bonus opportunity
- 26 days holiday plus bank holidays
- Option to buy up to 5 additional holiday days
- Paid volunteer days
- Harding+ staff discount onboard and through staff sales
- Free onsite parking
- Salary sacrifice schemes
- Online discounts with major high street retailers
- Employee wellbeing assistance programme
- Staff social events and parties
- 4x life assurance
- Medical cashback plan
- Hybrid working and a collaborative office environment
Ready to take the next step in your finance leadership career? Apply now.
Deputy Financial Controller employer: Harding+
At Harding+, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer, offering a dynamic work culture that fosters collaboration and innovation. With our hybrid working model, generous holiday allowance, and commitment to employee wellbeing, we empower our team members to thrive both personally and professionally. Join us in Bristol, where you will play a pivotal role in shaping the financial future of a rapidly growing global business, recognised as Cruise Retailer of the Year, while enjoying unique benefits like staff discounts and paid volunteer days.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Deputy Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might have insights into Harding+. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and leadership skills. Be ready to discuss how you’ve tackled challenges in financial control before. We want to see your problem-solving skills in action!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your people skills! As a Deputy Financial Controller, you’ll be leading a team. Share examples of how you’ve motivated and developed others in your previous roles. We love a good team player!
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining the Harding+ family.
We think you need these skills to ace Deputy Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV:Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experiences that match the Deputy Financial Controller role. Highlight your qualifications, especially in financial control and leadership, to show us you’re the perfect fit!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to tell us why you’re excited about joining Harding+ and how your background aligns with our mission. Be genuine and let your personality come through.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your achievements! Quantify your successes in previous roles, especially those related to financial reporting and team leadership, to give us a clear picture of your impact.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates from us!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harding+
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Deputy Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your strong technical expertise. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've managed group consolidations and statutory reporting in previous roles. This will show that you understand the complexities of financial control in a multi-entity environment.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires a confident people leader. Prepare examples of how you've developed and motivated teams in the past. Think about specific challenges you've faced and how you overcame them, as well as how you’ve driven improvements across financial controls and systems.
✨Communicate Clearly
You'll be representing finance at a senior level, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Be ready to share how you've effectively communicated financial information to non-finance stakeholders, ensuring they understand the implications for the business.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your problem-solving abilities and judgement. Think about scenarios where you've had to make tough decisions or lead audits end-to-end. Prepare to discuss your thought process and the outcomes of those situations to demonstrate your proactive, solutions-focused approach.
