Head of Financial Control

Base Salary: 60-70k depending on experience

Benefits: Medical Health Insurance (opt in, taxable benefit); Choice of one additional day holiday or additional 1% employer pension contribution

Role Based: Hybrid

Full-time employees are entitled to 27 days holiday per year plus 8 statutory Bank Holidays.

Part-time employees receive pro-rated entitlement.

Holiday year runs from 1 January to 31 December.

Entitlement is pro-rated for part-year employment.

About Brent Shrine Credit Union

Brent Shrine Credit Union Ltd is a member-focused financial cooperative committed to supporting the financial wellbeing of its members and communities.

This is a unique opportunity to join a small but ambitious organisation at a pivotal stage in its journey.

With a team of 12 employees, we are rebuilding for the future, strengthening our governance framework, enhancing our financial controls and laying the foundations for sustainable growth.

Our environment is collaborative, supportive and flexible, giving employees the opportunity to make a genuine impact while developing their professional expertise.

Every colleague plays an important role in shaping the future direction and success of the organisation.

Why Join Us?

This is more than a traditional financial control role.

As Head of Financial Control, you will play a critical role in supporting Brent Shrine Credit Union's transition towards reactivation and future growth.

Working closely with the Executive Team, Board and Audit & Risk Committee, you will help build and maintain a best-in-class financial control environment that supports regulatory compliance, good governance and long-term sustainability.

This role offers the opportunity to

• Be part of an organisation undergoing significant transformation and growth.
• Shape and influence the future financial control framework of the business.
• Work directly with senior leadership, Board members and key regulators.
• Drive meaningful improvements to governance, controls and financial processes.
• Lead and develop a high-performing finance function.
• Enjoy a flexible, collaborative and supportive working environment where your contribution is recognised and valued.

If you are a proactive finance leader who thrives on improving controls, managing risk and driving positive change, this role offers a unique opportunity to make a lasting impact.

Purpose of the Role

The Head of Financial Control is responsible for leading the financial control function, ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, maintaining a robust control framework, overseeing accounts payable operations, coordinating audit activities and supporting the Audit & Risk Committee.

The role provides strategic leadership and assurance to the Executive Team and Board regarding financial governance and risk management.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and continuously enhance the organisation's financial control framework, ensuring robust governance, compliance and risk management practices are embedded across the business.
• Own the integrity of the balance sheet, ensuring all accounts are accurately maintained, reconciled and supported by appropriate documentation and controls.
• Oversee the preparation and review of monthly balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring all reconciling items are investigated and resolved promptly.
• Manage month-end, quarter-end and year-end control processes to ensure accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Develop, implement and maintain finance policies, procedures and control standards, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements and industry best practice.
• Provide oversight and challenge to ensure compliance with accounting standards, internal controls and delegated authorities.
• Identify emerging financial, operational and regulatory risks, implementing effective mitigation strategies where required.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement by identifying opportunities to streamline processes, strengthen controls and improve reporting efficiency through automation and technology.
• Partner with senior stakeholders across the business to provide financial control expertise and support strategic decision‑making.
• Provide strategic leadership for the Accounts Payable function, ensuring an efficient, well‑controlled and customer‑focused service.
• Oversee the end‑to‑end purchase‑to‑pay process, ensuring supplier invoices are processed accurately and within agreed timescales.
• Ensure timely execution of payment runs while maintaining appropriate authorisation controls and cash management disciplines.
• Oversee employee expense management processes, ensuring compliance with company policies and regulatory requirements.
• Maintain strong supplier governance arrangements, including supplier onboarding, due diligence and ongoing monitoring.
• Ensure appropriate segregation of duties and fraud prevention controls are embedded across all payment processes.
• Monitor operational performance through key performance indicators and service metrics, driving improvements where necessary.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and internal stakeholders to resolve issues and support business objectives.
• Internal & External Audit Coordination
• Act as the primary point of contact for internal auditors, external auditors and regulatory bodies.
• Lead the planning, coordination and delivery of internal and external audits, ensuring a professional and efficient audit process.
• Coordinate the provision of audit evidence and information requests, ensuring deadlines are met and expectations exceeded.
• Maintain oversight of all audit findings, recommendations and management actions, ensuring timely remediation and closure.
• Provide independent assurance on the effectiveness of key financial controls and governance processes.
• Monitor control effectiveness and identify opportunities to strengthen the organisation's risk and control environment.
• Build trusted relationships with auditors and regulators, ensuring open communication and effective stakeholder management.
• Keep senior management informed of audit outcomes, risk exposures and remediation progress.
• Lead the preparation of high‑quality Audit & Risk Committee papers, reports and management information, providing meaningful insight and analysis.
• Present financial control, audit, compliance and risk management updates to the Committee and senior stakeholders as required.
• Coordinate and monitor the completion of actions arising from Audit & Risk Committee meetings, ensuring accountability and timely delivery.
• Maintain oversight of governance frameworks, financial policies and control documentation, ensuring they remain current and effective.
• Prepare meeting agendas, minutes and action logs, maintaining accurate records of Committee proceedings.
• Contribute to the ongoing development and maturity of the organisation's governance, risk and compliance framework.
• Set clear objectives and performance standards, supporting colleagues to achieve their full potential.
• Champion best practice financial governance across the organisation.
• Drive finance transformation initiatives that improve efficiency, scalability and control effectiveness.
• Act as a trusted adviser to the HOF and senior leadership team on financial control, governance and risk‑related matters.
• Promote a culture of accountability, integrity and continuous improvement throughout the finance function.
• Key Skills and Competencies
• Ideally
• Experience leading finance transformation, automation or process improvement initiatives.
• Significant experience in a senior financial control, financial reporting, audit or finance leadership role.
• Proven experience managing robust financial control frameworks and governance processes.
• Strong understanding of balance sheet management, reconciliations and financial reporting controls.
• Demonstrable experience working with internal and external auditors.
• Exceptional analytical, organisational and problem‑solving abilities.
• Advanced Excel and financial systems knowledge.
• Experience within a Credit Union, Banking, Building Society or other regulated financial services environment.
• Knowledge of PRA and FCA regulatory requirements.
• Experience supporting Audit & Risk Committees and Board reporting.
• Experience operating within a small organisation undergoing change or growth.
• Understanding of regulatory returns and prudential reporting requirements.
• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

Experience preparing and presenting reports to Boards, Committees or senior leadership teams.

• Strong understanding of risk management, internal controls and corporate governance principles.
• Excellent leadership and people management skills with the ability to motivate and develop teams.
• Strong stakeholder management skills with the confidence to challenge constructively and influence at all levels.
• Personal Attributes
• Demonstrates integrity, professionalism and sound judgement.
• Collaborative and approachable leadership style.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic and evolving environment.
• Highly resilient and adaptable.
• Takes ownership and accountability for delivering results.
• Committed to continuous improvement and high‑quality outcomes.
• Passionate about supporting organisational success and team development.
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