At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations and shape the future of a growing PR agency.
- Company: Fast-growing, owner-managed PR Agency with a collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, hybrid working, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while working closely with senior leadership.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial control and strong communication skills.
- Other info: Dynamic environment with autonomy and the chance to influence business decisions.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 84000 £ per year.
We're partnering with a fast-growing, owner-managed PR Agency to hire a hands-on Financial Controller at an exciting phase of their growth. This is a brilliant opportunity for a qualified accountant who enjoys being close to the detail and shaping how a finance function evolves in a scaling business. You'll sit within a lean central team, owning day-to-day finance while working closely with the senior leadership team to balance strong financial control with commercial flexibility.
The Opportunity
Sitting beneath an experienced FD/Head of Finance, you'll have autonomy, visibility and influence, with responsibility spanning management accounts, cash flow forecasting & budgeting, some transactional aspects and statutory/regulatory reporting. You'll also line manage a Credit Controller and play a key role in shaping the future structure of the finance team as the business continues to grow.
Responsibilities
- Produce high-quality monthly management accounts and year-end accounts (Xero)
- Deliver clear commentary on performance vs budget and forecast
- Own cash flow forecasting, including dividend support
- Develop more granular reporting to support commercial and resourcing decisions
- Partner with the COO on budgets, forecasts and latest estimates
- Oversee client invoicing against contracted work and secured revenue
- Line manage credit control and keep aged debt tight
- Ensure supplier invoices are processed and paid accurately and on time
- Manage day-to-day banking, optimise cash positioning and minimise banking costs
- Own VAT, Corporation Tax, HMRC submissions and payments
- Ensure all statutory and regulatory reporting requirements are met
- Maintain and improve financial controls, policies and processes
- Own and optimise core systems (Xero, Pleo, time-tracking tools)
- Make recommendations and support implementation of improvements
- Prepare monthly payroll inputs and liaise with external providers
- Upload payroll payments for approval
- Review payroll delivery model for efficiency and cost
- Handle finance-related HR admin (pay reviews, system updates)
- Line manage and develop the finance team
- Support recruitment of future finance hires
- Manage relationships with external accountants and advisors
Qualifications
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)
- Experience as a Financial Controller or similar in a Professional Services SME (agency preferred) or scaling business
- Comfortable being hands-on while also improving processes
- Strong communicator who can partner with non-finance stakeholders
- Confident working in a fast-moving, agile environment with autonomy
- Real ownership of the finance function
- Exposure to senior leadership and commercial decision-making
- Opportunity to build and shape finance as the business scales
Hybrid working and a collaborative, down-to-earth culture.
Salary: £70-80K
Start Date: ASAP
Location: Central London / Hybrid (2-3 days WFH)
At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.
Financial Controller | PR Agency | £70-80K in London employer: Harmonic, Inc.
Contact Detail:
Harmonic, Inc. Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller | PR Agency | £70-80K in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those in PR agencies. 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 financial knowledge and understanding the specific challenges faced by PR agencies. Show them you’re not just a numbers person but someone who gets their business too!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your enthusiasm for the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! We’ve got loads of opportunities, and applying directly can sometimes give you a leg up. Plus, it shows you’re keen and proactive about landing that Financial Controller role.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller | PR Agency | £70-80K in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Financial Controller. Highlight your experience in management accounts, cash flow forecasting, and any relevant software like Xero. 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 excited about this opportunity and how you can contribute to our growing PR agency. Keep it concise but impactful – we love a good story!
Showcase Your Hands-On Experience: Since this role is all about being hands-on, make sure to highlight specific examples where you've taken charge of financial processes or improved systems. We want to know how you've made a difference in previous roles!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep everything organised and ensures your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, it's super easy!
How to prepare for a job interview at Harmonic, Inc.
✨Know Your Numbers
As a 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 in past roles. This shows you’re not just about the numbers but also understand their impact on business decisions.
✨Showcase Your Hands-On Experience
This role requires someone who is comfortable being hands-on while improving processes. Prepare examples of how you've managed day-to-day finance tasks and implemented improvements in previous positions. Highlighting your practical experience will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Communicate Effectively
You’ll be partnering with non-finance stakeholders, so practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Think of examples where you successfully communicated financial information to non-financial colleagues, as this will showcase your strong communication skills.
✨Demonstrate Adaptability
The agency is looking for someone who thrives in a fast-moving environment. Be prepared to discuss times when you had to adapt quickly to changes or challenges in your previous roles. This will show that you can handle the dynamic nature of a scaling business.