Financial Controller New London

Overview

LHV Bank Limited is a UK-licensed bank operating across three core business segments: Retail Banking, SME Lending, and Banking Services (BaaS). The bank is a wholly owned subsidiary of LHV Group, a listed financial services provider headquartered in Estonia. LHV Bank operates under a full UK banking licence granted in May 2023. The Bank supports over 200 fintech clients with embedded financial infrastructure, provides retail savings products via digital channels, and offers SME credit solutions across the UK. In line with regulatory responsibilities and growth ambitions, LHV Bank is committed to maintaining a robust and proportionate financial crime control environment. Expanding our services, LHV Bank now provides personal banking solutions with current accounts, fixed-rate bonds, and debit cards accessible through the LHV App for secure account opening and management.

Role Overview: We are looking for a proactive, detail-oriented Financial Controller to join our UK finance team. The Financial Controller is a key member of the Finance leadership team, responsible for the accuracy, integrity, and control of the Bank’s financial reporting and accounting processes. This role leads the financial controllership agenda across finance operations, technical accounting, tax, reporting, and controls, serving as the guardian of the Bank’s financial integrity. The ideal candidate combines strong IFRS and UK tax expertise with a pragmatic, control-focused mindset and the ability to drive process improvement in a high-growth, regulated environment.

Location & Working Arrangement: Hybrid role with a requirement to be in the London office 2-3 days a week.

Key Responsibilities

• Full ownership of financial controllership, including finance operations, technical accounting, reporting, and tax.
• Lead month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring IFRS compliance and regulatory standards.
• Maintain the integrity of the general ledger and chart of accounts, with reconciliations across key balance sheet and P&L accounts.
• Prepare and deliver timely, accurate financial statements, including statutory accounts and disclosures, in line with IFRS.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders on the strategic report and directors’ report for inclusion in the annual report.
• Demonstrate understanding of IFRS standards relevant to a scaling bank (IFRS 2, IFRS 9, IFRS 16) and maintain required reporting models.
• Lead external audit process as primary liaison with auditors and ensure deliverables are met on time and to a high standard.
• Support internal audit activities with prompt and effective responses to recommendations.

Finance Operations & Tax

• Oversee day-to-day finance operations (Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, and cash settlements).
• Partner with external advisors on tax compliance and reporting (corporation tax, VAT partial exemption, R&D tax credits, PAYE Settlement Agreements).
• Ensure all financial operations adhere to governance, risk, and control framework with strong data reconciliations.

Controls, Process Optimisation & Governance

• Design, implement, and continuously improve internal controls to strengthen financial governance and mitigate risk.
• Deliver process improvements and automation opportunities to enhance efficiency and reporting accuracy.
• Maintain and evolve financial policies and procedures aligned with governance frameworks and regulatory expectations.
• Collaborate with Treasury, Risk, Operations, Product, and Technology to support cost control and other finance-related processes.

Leadership & Culture

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to junior finance team members.
• Foster accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement across financial control processes.
• Promote innovation in financial reporting through modern tools and AI-driven automation where appropriate.

Requirements

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Finance, Accounting, Economics, Business, or related field (desirable).
• Qualified accountant (ACA, ICAS, CPA, ACCA, or CIMA) with a minimum of 5 years post-qualification experience in banking or financial services.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Strong practical knowledge of IFRS (IFRS 2, IFRS 9, IFRS 15, IFRS 16).
• Experience in financial control, accounting policy, and audit management within a regulated financial institution.
• Broad understanding of UK tax (VAT partial exemption and R&D credits).
• Experience with Microsoft Dynamics / Business Central / Navision preferred.
• Familiarity with AI tools to support finance operations or reporting; familiarity with Atlassian tools and MS Power Apps is advantageous.
• High digital fluency, accuracy, analytical capability, problem-solving skills, and strong Excel skills.
• Excellent organisational, communication, and stakeholder management abilities; ability to operate independently in a fast-paced, regulated environment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Benefits

• Competitive salary & progression
• Open and inclusive culture
• Hybrid working
• Fantastic offices and great working environment
• Vitality Health Plan (private health, travel insurance, gym discounts)
• Medicash health plan (Level 3)
• 5% employer pension contribution
• Life assurance
• Income protection insurance
• 28 days holiday plus 3 additional days, bank holidays & further days for key life events
• Team socials

This is a Hybrid role but we ask you to be in the London Office 2-3 days a week, can you commit to this?