At a Glance
- Tasks: Own the finance cycle and lead a high-performing finance team across international operations.
- Company: Dynamic international business with a focus on financial integrity and growth.
- Benefits: Flexible working, 25 days leave, private medical insurance, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Join a supportive environment that values diversity and community engagement.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a hands-on role while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in management accounts and group reporting.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 80000 £ per year.
End‑to‑End Ownership Across an International Business. We’re looking for a hands‑on Financial Controller to own the end-to-end finance cycle across our growing, international group. This is a senior, visible role with real responsibility – combining deep financial control, management accounting, audit delivery, systems ownership and leadership.
A little about the role: This is not a purely strategic or oversight role. You’ll be in the detail, rolling up your sleeves to ensure the numbers are right, on time, and audit‑ready – while also leading and developing a high‑performing finance team and partnering closely with senior stakeholders across the business. You’ll work closely with the Finance Director and CFO, acting as a trusted partner to leaders across the organisation, and owning financial integrity across UK and overseas entities.
What you’ll do:
- You will personally own and deliver the core finance outputs for the group, while leading day-to-day finance operations and controls.
- Own and deliver monthly, quarterly and annual management accounts across UK and overseas entities.
- Lead the month‑end close with full P&L, balance sheet and cashflow ownership.
- Maintain robust financial controls, reconciliations and audit‑ready reporting at all times.
- Actively manage cash, working capital and short‑term cashflow forecasting.
- Lead year‑end audit, statutory accounts preparation and tax compliance end to end.
- Oversee AP, AR and payment runs, including multi‑currency operations.
- Provide hands‑on leadership to the finance team, supporting delivery and development day to day.
- Drive systems and process improvements, maximising the effectiveness of NetSuite.
- Partner with leaders and non‑finance stakeholders to translate numbers into meaningful insight.
You’ll be a visible, trusted finance leader – confident switching between detailed delivery and senior stakeholder conversations.
Our ideal candidate:
- Fully or part qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
- Proven experience owning management accounts and group reporting end to end.
- A confident people leader who also thrives in hands‑on delivery.
- Excellent Excel and financial modelling skills.
- Experience working across multiple entities and overseas operations.
- Clear, credible communicator with non‑finance stakeholders.
- NetSuite or ERP experience is highly advantageous.
Most importantly: you care deeply about accuracy, control, and delivery – and you’re happiest when you own the numbers, not just review them.
Some of our extras:
- Flexible Working – Enjoy a hybrid work model (typically 2 days in the office) with flexibility based on business needs, plus a work from anywhere policy to give you freedom to explore.
- Time Off – 25 days annual leave (+ bank holidays), increasing with length of service, plus an extra day off for your birthday! We also operate summer hours so you can make the most of the sunshine.
- Learning & Development – Access a vast range of courses through our learning platform and benefit from structured career progression plans to support your growth.
- Health & Wellbeing – Private Medical Insurance, a healthcare cash plan, and mental health support via Help@Hand. Plus, we’ll ensure you have a safe and productive home setup with a workspace assessment.
- Giving Back – Take paid volunteer days to support your local community, donate to your chosen charity through salary sacrifice (we’ll match it!), and make a difference with Give as You Earn.
- Extra Perks – A car purchase scheme to make buying a new car easier, plus access to additional benefits through our online platform, including gym discounts.
Our interview process typically consists of 3 stages:
- Hiring Manager intro call.
- Skills Assessment.
- Values based Interview.
Be your authentic self - Retail Insight is committed to promoting equal opportunities in employment. All employees and any job applicants will receive equal treatment. We actively seek to create an environment where everyone feels respected, supported, and encouraged to contribute their best work.
Financial Controller employer: Retail Insight
Contact Detail:
Retail Insight Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know about opportunities at companies you're interested in. A personal recommendation can make all the difference!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by practising common questions related to financial control and management accounting. We suggest you also come up with examples from your past experiences that showcase your hands-on approach and leadership skills.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, send a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds!
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Financial Controller. Highlight your experience with management accounts, group reporting, and any leadership roles you've had. We want to see how you’ve owned the numbers in previous positions!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about finance and how your hands-on approach aligns with our needs. Don’t forget to mention your experience with systems like NetSuite if you have it!
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading a finance team, make sure to highlight your people management experience. Share examples of how you've developed teams or improved processes in your previous roles. We love a confident leader who can also get into the nitty-gritty!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates. Plus, we love seeing applications come directly from our site!
How to prepare for a job interview at Retail Insight
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you need to be on top of your game with numbers. Brush up on your management accounts and be ready to discuss how you've owned the end-to-end finance cycle in previous roles. Be prepared to share specific examples that highlight your attention to detail and accuracy.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
This role requires hands-on leadership, so think about times when you've successfully led a finance team. Prepare to discuss your approach to developing team members and how you’ve fostered a high-performing environment. Highlight any experience you have in managing multi-currency operations or working across international entities.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to partner with non-finance stakeholders, so practice translating complex financial concepts into simple terms. Think of examples where you've effectively communicated insights from financial data to help drive business decisions. This will show that you can bridge the gap between finance and other departments.
✨Be Ready for Practical Assessments
Expect a skills assessment as part of the interview process. Brush up on your Excel and financial modelling skills, and be prepared to demonstrate your proficiency with systems like NetSuite. Practising common financial scenarios can help you feel more confident during this part of the interview.