Financial Controller - 6 month FTC in London

Salary: London from £79,000 to £123,000 (salary offered will be based on skills and experience)

Overview

We regulate financial services firms in the UK, to keep financial markets fair, thriving and effective. By joining us, you'll play a key part in protecting consumers, driving economic growth and shaping the future of UK finance services. Operations Finance and Corporate Services look after the finances and working environment to protect our reputation and enable us to meet our objectives. The division focuses primarily on customer service, providing both support and appropriate challenge to the wider business to help ensure we utilise available resources in the most effective, efficient and economical way.

Role Responsibilities

• Oversee and develop the Financial Control team, setting clear objectives, promoting high performance and a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.
• Oversee the Accounting Advisory Group, ensuring compliance with IFRS requirements and statutory reporting obligations.
• Act as the primary liaison with external auditors completing their planning and interim audit procedures.
• Provide strategic oversight of all tax matters, ensuring full compliance with relevant tax regulations, managing relationships with HMRC and external advisors and promoting tax awareness across the organisation.
• Maintain the integrity of the General Ledger and Balance Sheet, ensuring robust financial controls, reconciliations, documentation and accounting processes are in place.
• Manage central accounting activities, including fixed assets, pension accounting, balance sheet governance and compliance with IFRS/IAS standards.
• Oversight of all treasury activities, including cash flow forecasting, investment management and maintaining banking and treasury relationships.
• Ensure finance policies, standards and procedures remain effective, up to date and compliant, supporting strong financial governance across the organisation.
• Work collaboratively with other areas in Finance and wider business stakeholders to support process improvements, deliver insightful analysis, manage ad‑hoc projects and support responses to regulatory and Freedom of Information requests.
• Support delivery of Finance transformation projects relevant to the team, including system upgrades, working closely with IT Product teams where required.

Minimum Requirements

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with substantial post‑qualification experience (typically 10+ years), including external audit and financial reporting experience.
• Extensive technical accounting experience, including IFRS, with the ability to provide trusted advice on complex accounting matters and ensure the integrity of financial statements.
• Extensive financial controls and systems knowledge, with experience designing, reviewing and enhancing operational and financial control frameworks, supported by a good understanding of finance technology and ERP systems.
• Knowledge of VAT return preparation and broader corporate taxation matters.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated leadership experience overseeing and developing effective finance teams within a complex organisation.
• Effective communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to build trusted relationships and influence senior leaders, auditors and external partners.
• Demonstrable experience delivering continuous improvement and transformation initiatives within a central finance or corporate finance function.
• Well‑developed organisational and prioritisation skills, with a direct approach and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities while ensuring timely delivery.
• Experience of working with Workday or similar cloud‑based finance systems.
• Knowledge of Partial Exemption Special Method (PESM) VAT.

Benefits

• 28 days annual leave plus bank holidays.
• Non‑contributory pension (8‑12% depending on age) and life assurance at eight times your salary.
• Private healthcare with Bupa, income protection and 24/7 Employee Assistance.
• 35 hours of paid volunteering annually.
• Hybrid model where employees work a minimum of 40% in the office each month.