At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control and reporting while modernising workflows with AI and automation.
- Company: Mako, a collaborative and innovative trading firm committed to excellence.
- Benefits: Flexible leave, hybrid working, private health insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Inclusive culture with direct access to senior leadership and growth potential.
- Why this job: Join a dynamic team and make a real impact in finance transformation.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial control and leadership experience.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
At Mako, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive innovation in pursuit of our collective ambition; excellence in trading. Our diverse community is connected through a commitment to being the best we can be with the highest standards of integrity.
The Financial Controller (AI-Native) will work closely with the Group Finance Director, junior finance colleagues, external auditors, and cross-functional teams in Technology and Operations. In this hands‑on leadership role, you will own the day‑to‑day financial control environment, close, and reporting processes, while actively modernising and automating workflows to build a highly scalable, trusted, and AI‑native finance operation.
What you’ll be involved in:
- Owning the financial control environment and ensuring overall financial integrity across the global multi-entity group.
- Managing month-end close, management reporting, and the accuracy and quality of recurring finance outputs.
- Preparing and reviewing statutory financial statements across multiple entities and jurisdictions.
- Leading the end‑to‑end audit process, including planning, evidence gathering, auditor queries, and coordinating key internal and external stakeholders to drive audits to completion.
- Developing and mentoring a team of 2–3 junior finance colleagues, holding them accountable and elevating standard accounting practices.
- Overseeing banking, payments, bookkeeping, accounts payable, and core finance operations controls.
- Identifying weak, manual, or fragile processes and rebuilding them into scalable, automated workflows.
- Utilising AI, modern workflows, and systems tools hands‑on to improve reporting speed, accuracy, and documentation.
- Acting as senior finance cover and a trusted number‑two partner to the Group Finance Director.
- Bringing independent judgment and constructive challenge where numbers, controls, or processes require optimisation.
What we need from you:
- A fully qualified professional accounting credential (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with robust technical expertise.
- Proven financial control, technical accounting, close, audit, and statutory reporting experience.
- Extensive experience preparing or reviewing financial statements across multiple entities and jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated leadership capability in managing, developing, and raising standards in a small finance operations team.
- Robust project management and change delivery capability, especially in audits or finance transformation initiatives.
- An innovative, hands‑on automation mindset, with practical experience utilising Excel automation, workflow tools, AI, Power Query, or modern finance systems.
- A rigorous control mindset accompanied by exceptional attention to detail.
- A confident and diplomatic communication style, enabling you to form independent views and respectfully challenge senior leadership.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a comfort operating in a fast‑paced, detail‑focused environment.
Benefits: We are welcoming, inclusive and collaborative. We work fast and smart in a supportive and dress-down environment that allows colleagues to be themselves and achieve great things. We uphold the principles of a flat structure that offers unrivalled engagement with senior leadership and career development opportunities. We have a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Flexible leave and hybrid working policies
- Private health and dental insurance
- Generous pension scheme
- Free access to the Mako gym
- Employee wellbeing guidance and support
- Opportunity to become involved in the rewarding work of the Mako Foundation
If you require any reasonable adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process, please email and we will arrange this.
Financial Controller employer: Mako Trading
At Mako, we pride ourselves on fostering a collaborative and inclusive work culture that empowers our employees to excel in their roles. As a Financial Controller, you will benefit from flexible working arrangements, comprehensive health coverage, and a commitment to your professional growth through direct engagement with senior leadership. Our supportive environment encourages innovation and offers unique opportunities to contribute to meaningful projects, making Mako an exceptional place to build your career.