At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control, reporting, and governance for a growing financial services business.
- Company: Established FCA-regulated financial services firm specialising in wealth management.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, inclusive environment, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Other info: Dynamic role with potential for career advancement in a supportive culture.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact on financial processes and lead a high-performing team.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial control and governance.
The predicted salary is between 58500 - 71500 £ per year.
This is a senior Group Financial Control opportunity within a growing, FCA-regulated financial services business, reporting directly to the CFO.
You'll lead financial control, statutory reporting, governance and audit while also driving improvements across finance systems, processes and the wider control environment offering significant scope to develop the finance function, lead a team and act as a trusted adviser to senior stakeholders as the Group grows.
Client Details
Our client is an established, privately owned financial services business specialising in wealth management and financial planning.
With a strong reputation for delivering highly personalised advice and putting clients at the heart of its proposition, the business has ambitious plans for continued growth and is investing in its people, systems and finance infrastructure to support its next phase.
Description
We are seeking an experienced and commercially minded Head of Group Financial Control to lead the financial stewardship of the Group.
As a key member of the finance leadership team, you will oversee the Group's financial control framework, statutory and management reporting, financial governance, and finance operations.
You will lead and develop a team of reporting accountants, drive continuous improvement across finance processes and systems, and ensure the business has scalable controls and reporting capabilities to support future growth.
Key Responsibilities include
- Ensuring robust financial controls, governance, accounting policies, and procedures are in place to safeguard the integrity and accuracy of financial information.
- Leading the month-end, quarter-end, and year-end close processes, delivering timely, accurate statutory and management reporting in accordance with UK GAAP and regulatory requirements.
- Maintain compliance with FCA, HMRC, Companies House, and other statutory obligations, including oversight of corporation tax, VAT, and payroll tax reporting.
- Leading external audit relationships, overseeing balance integrity and reconciliations, and ensuring effective financial risk management and control remediation.
- Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing finance team while creating a scalable finance function capable of supporting future business growth.
- Oversee finance operations and champion continuous improvement, automation, and optimisation of finance systems, controls, and reporting capabilities.
- Act as a trusted adviser to the CFO and Executive team on financial control, technical accounting, governance, and strategic business matters, including M&A integration activities.
- Enhance the control environment through best practice governance, documentation, audit trails, enterprise risk management, and ongoing monitoring of regulatory and accounting developments.
- Profile
You are a qualified accountant with significant experience leading financial control, reporting, and governance within a complex organisation.
Combining strong technical expertise with a commercial mindset, you have a proven track record of delivering robust financial controls, statutory reporting, audit management, and high-quality financial information.
You bring deep knowledge of accounting standards, regulatory compliance, and financial governance, together with a disciplined approach to risk management and balance sheet control.
A confident leader, you are experienced in developing high-performing teams and building strong relationships with senior stakeholders, auditors, advisers, and regulators.
Highly organised, resilient, and delivery-focused, you thrive in fast-paced environments and are passionate about driving continuous improvement across finance processes, systems, and controls.
Experience within an FCA-regulated, professional services, acquisitive, or private equity-backed business would be advantageous.
Essential skills and experience
- ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified
- Trained within a Top 10 or mid-tier accountancy practice before moving into industry
- Significant post-qualified experience in a senior financial control role
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles and financial reporting
- Understanding of financial controls, governance frameworks, and statutory reporting requirements
- Proven experience leading complex month-end and year-end close processes
- Experience managing external audits and technical accounting matters
- High attention to detail with strong balance sheet and control discipline
- Highly organised, resilient, delivery-focused, and commercially aware
- Job Offer
- Exceptionally competitive salary and benefits, dependent on the level of experience.
- Permanent role based in Cheltenham (ideally 3-days on site, can be 2 for someone further afield)
People are at the heart of Michael Page.
We are committed to creating an inclusive environment.
As an inclusive recruiter we welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, identities and experiences.
If you require any adjustments or accommodations during the recruitment process, we'll work with you to ensure you can perform at your best.
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Head of Group Financial Control in Gloucester employer: Michael Page Finance
Join a leading accountancy practice in Exeter, where you will be part of a dynamic and supportive work culture that prioritises employee growth and development. With a diverse client portfolio and a strong team of tax professionals, this firm offers meaningful career progression opportunities and the flexibility of part or full-time hours, making it an excellent employer for those seeking a rewarding role in personal tax management.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Head of Group Financial Control in Gloucester
✨Tap into Campus Networks
If you're still in uni, don’t forget to engage with your campus's career services and attend finance-related events. Banks often do presentations and recruitment drives on campus, so put yourself out there and make use of these opportunities to show off your passion for the field.
✨Get Certified
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Join finance-focused groups on platforms like LinkedIn and engage in discussions. This can really help you stand out from the crowd, allowing potential employers to see your knowledge and interest in industry trends. Plus, you might stumble upon job postings shared exclusively within the group.
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Don’t shy away from reaching out directly to firms like Michael Page Finance. Use their websites and apply through them, but also consider following up with a polite email to express your enthusiasm. Being proactive can make a huge difference in getting noticed in the competitive financial services sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Head of Group Financial Control in Gloucester
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers!:In the banking and financial services world, quantifiable achievements are key. Make sure your CV highlights your grades in relevant subjects, any financial certifications you hold, and specific projects where you've delivered measurable results. Employers love to see how your skills translate into real-world success.
Tailor Your Cover Letter to the Role:When applying for a full-time position, your cover letter should make a direct connection between your experience and the job description. Don't just state your enthusiasm for finance—dive into how your background in banking or financial analysis sets you apart. Let your passion shine through while being specific about what you can bring to Michael Page Finance.
Include Relevant Financial Software Experience:If you've worked with financial modelling tools or software like Excel, SAP, or specific analytical tools during your studies or internships, bring that up! Highlighting your proficiency can really make your application pop and show you're ready to hit the ground running in a full-time role.
Research and Reflect:Before hitting that 'apply' button on Michael Page Finance's website, do a little digging. Look up their recent projects, values, and culture. Reflecting their ethos in your application can make a huge difference and show you’re genuinely interested in being part of the team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Michael Page Finance
✨Brush Up on Financial Analysis Skills
Make sure you're well-versed in financial concepts and analytical techniques relevant to banking and financial services. Get comfortable with tools like Excel for modelling or financial forecasting, as technical questions in this area are common during interviews with Michael Page Finance.
✨Prepare for Case Studies
Expect to tackle case studies that demonstrate your problem-solving skills in real-world banking scenarios. Familiarise yourself with the types of problems you might face—think risk assessments or investment evaluations—and be ready to articulate your thought process clearly.
✨Show Your Passion for Finance
Since this is a full-time position, employers at Michael Page Finance will be keen to see your genuine interest in finance. Be prepared to discuss recent industry trends or news articles that excite you, showcasing your enthusiasm and engagement with the field.
✨Network with Industry Professionals
Before your interview, reach out to current or former Michael Page Finance employees on platforms like LinkedIn. They'll offer unique insights into the company's culture and the interview process, which can give us a delightful edge in showcasing a good fit for the team.
