UK Financial Controller in Merthyr Tydfil

Môrwell Talent Solutions are delighted to be partnering with a highly regarded not-for-profit organisation to recruit a UK Financial Controller. This is an exciting opportunity to join a growing organisation in its early stages, with ambitious plans for expansion across the UK. The Financial Controller will report directly to the Head of Operations & Finance in the UK, with a dotted line to the Group CFO. You will manage a finance team of five and play a pivotal role in leading the UK finance function through a period of transformation, system upgrades, and process improvements. This role offers significant scope for growth, including the potential to step into a Group FD role for the UK arm of the business for the right candidate. You will also interact with global stakeholders, making this an excellent opportunity for a confident, people-focused finance leader.

Key Responsibilities include:

• Leadership & Team Management
  • Lead and manage all UK finance staff, setting clear objectives and performance standards
  • Develop team capability and support succession planning
  • Foster a culture of ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement
  • Act as the first point of escalation for operational finance matters
• Financial Control & Reporting
  • Full ownership of the monthly close process across all UK entities
  • Prepare consolidated management accounts and board-ready reporting packs
  • Ensure integrity of the general ledger, balance sheet, and intercompany reconciliations
  • Lead audit preparation and manage external audit processes
• Budgeting, Forecasting & Analysis
  • Lead the annual budget process and ongoing forecasts
  • Prepare clear, board-ready financial analysis, highlighting risks and variances
  • Translate operational plans into reliable financial forecasts
  • Support tender submissions with financial budgets and analysis
• Compliance & Governance
  • Oversee statutory accounts under UK GAAP and liaise with external accountants
  • Ensure compliance with VAT, Corporation Tax, PAYE, and filing obligations
  • Maintain internal controls, documentation, and audit trails
• Cash Flow & Risk Management
  • Monitor cash flow, working capital, and liquidity
  • Identify and elevate financial risks proactively
  • Ensure all compliance and reporting requirements are met
• Systems & Process Improvement
  • Standardise finance processes across the UK business
  • Drive efficiency, accuracy, and timeliness in reporting
  • Support system upgrades, process enhancements, and integration of acquisitions

Qualifications & Technical Expertise:

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified
• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP and Companies Act requirements
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing audits
• Knowledge of multi-entity environments and financial controls

Leadership & Management:

• Proven experience leading finance teams and managing month-end and reporting cycles
• Strong process improvement and discipline skills
• Confident, collaborative, and capable of earning respect across senior leadership

Sector Experience (desirable):

• Education, training, government-funded, or charitable organisations
• Charities SORP and Charity Commission reporting experience

Personal Attributes:

• High integrity, professional standards, and accountability
• Strong analytical skills and attention to detail
• Calm under pressure with confident communication skills

Benefits

• 37.5 hours per week, hybrid working after probation and settling-in period
• Private medical cover for family, life assurance, 5% matched pension
• 25 days holiday + birthday + 8 bank holidays, rising to 30 days after 5 years
• Salary sacrifice scheme for electric or hybrid cars available post-probation