At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and transformation in Defence, ensuring robust governance and operational performance.
- Company: Join Serco, a key player in government and defence operations.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, private healthcare, flexible working, and career development opportunities.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive culture that values your contributions.
- Why this job: Shape the future of finance in a collaborative environment with impactful projects.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with strong financial reporting and leadership skills.
The predicted salary is between 80000 - 90000 € per year.
Hybrid – 3 days onsite at our Hook office, RG27 9UY
Full Time, Permanent Band 2 | £80,000 – £90,000 (dependent on experience)
Shape Finance Transformation in Defence at Serco. At Serco, we support critical government and defence operations through complex, high‑profile contracts that deliver real impact. As part of a major Finance Transformation programme, we are building a UK‑led Global Finance Services (GFS) Hub designed to strengthen financial control, improve reporting quality and enable scalable growth across the business.
We’re now looking for a Reporting & Transformation Controller to join our Defence business – a highly visible leadership role at the centre of financial reporting, governance and operational performance. This is an opportunity to operate in a strategically important environment where strong financial control, stakeholder confidence and operational insight are essential. You will work closely with Defence Finance Directors and senior operational leaders, ensuring robust reporting, driving continuous improvement and helping shape the future finance operating model across the division.
The Role
As Reporting & Transformation Controller for Defence, you will act as the key link between the central Record‑to‑Report (R2R) processes delivered through the GFS Hub and the Defence business’ operational and financial leadership teams. You will take ownership of translating complex financial data into clear, accurate and commercially meaningful reporting across P&L, cashflow and balance sheet performance. Acting as a trusted partner to Defence Finance Directors, you will provide assurance over the integrity of reporting outputs and support confident decision‑making in a highly regulated, contract‑driven environment. This role combines strong financial controllership with transformation leadership. Alongside month‑end reporting responsibilities, you will identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and drive standardisation across Defence finance operations.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Act as the strategic finance reporting lead for the Defence business, partnering closely with Finance Directors and senior stakeholders
- Own the delivery and integrity of Defence reporting outputs across P&L, balance sheet and cashflow
- Lead month‑end review and calibration activity, supporting Finance Director sign‑off with confidence
- Investigate complex accounting entries, operational drivers and material variances to ensure Trial Balance integrity
- Provide robust financial control and governance across a complex multi‑contract environment
- Build strong relationships across Finance, Operations and shared service teams
- Drive continuous improvement initiatives across reporting, controls and finance processes
- Act as the “voice of the business” within the GFS Hub, ensuring Defence requirements are reflected in process design and reporting outputs
- Partner with Global Process Owners and Finance leadership to enhance standardisation, automation and reporting quality
- Support the development of insight‑led reporting packs and improved access to financial data
- Work collaboratively with offshore teams to deliver efficient and scalable reporting solutions
What You’ll Need
We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical finance expertise with the credibility and leadership to operate effectively within a complex Defence environment.
You Will:
- Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA/ACMA or equivalent)
- Have strong experience in financial reporting, controllership or finance transformation roles
- Be confident working with senior Finance and operational stakeholders
- Demonstrate a strong controls and governance mindset
- Be commercially aware, with the ability to connect financial and operational performance drivers
- Have experience working within complex, multi‑entity or contract‑led organisations
- Be naturally analytical and comfortable challenging assumptions and investigating variances
- Thrive in environments undergoing change and transformation
- Balance operational delivery with longer‑term process improvement initiatives
- Bring excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills
Experience within Defence, government services, infrastructure or similarly regulated sectors would be advantageous.
Why Join Serco?
This is a chance to play a key role in shaping the future of Finance within one of Serco’s most strategically important sectors. You’ll work in a collaborative and forward‑thinking environment where finance is central to operational delivery, governance and business performance. You’ll gain exposure to large‑scale transformation activity, senior stakeholders and complex operational contracts while helping build a best‑in‑class finance function for the future.
What We Offer
- Company car or £4,200 cash alternative
- Private healthcare
- 10% on‑target bonus
- Flexible working considered
- 6% pension contribution
- Employee discounts including cinema, retail, leisure and mobile plans
- Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
- Career development and professional training opportunities
- Leadership coaching and formal study support
- Inclusive, safe and supportive culture
- Opportunity to contribute to critical public service and defence operations
We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all, and we encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. We also oppose unspent criminal convictions where appropriate, in line with the 'Ban the Box' pledge.
Reporting & Transformation Controller - Defence in Hook employer: Serco
At Serco, we pride ourselves on being an excellent employer, offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment that empowers our employees to shape the future of Finance within the Defence sector. With a strong focus on employee growth, we provide extensive career development opportunities, leadership coaching, and a supportive culture that values diversity and inclusion. Located in Hook, our hybrid working model allows for flexibility while engaging in meaningful projects that have a real impact on critical public services.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Reporting & Transformation Controller - Defence in Hook
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former employees at Serco, especially those in finance roles. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the company culture and what they really value in candidates.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by brushing up on your financial reporting knowledge. Be ready to discuss how you've tackled complex financial challenges in the past. We want to see that you can translate numbers into actionable insights!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your transformation skills! Think of examples where you've improved processes or driven change in previous roles. We love candidates who can demonstrate their impact on efficiency and effectiveness.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows us you're genuinely interested in joining our team at Serco.
We think you need these skills to ace Reporting & Transformation Controller - Defence in Hook
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter to highlight your experience in financial reporting and transformation. We want to see how your skills align with the specific needs of the Reporting & Transformation Controller role.
Showcase Your Achievements:Don’t just list your responsibilities; share your successes! Use quantifiable results to demonstrate how you’ve improved processes or driven financial performance in previous roles. This will help us see the impact you can bring to our team.
Be Clear and Concise:When writing your application, clarity is key. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon where possible. We appreciate a well-structured application that makes it easy for us to understand your qualifications and motivations.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to submit your application directly through our website. This ensures that your application gets to the right people quickly and efficiently. Plus, it’s super easy to do!
How to prepare for a job interview at Serco
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Reporting & Transformation Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your financial acumen. Brush up on key financial metrics like P&L, cash flow, and balance sheet performance. Be ready to discuss how you've used these metrics in past roles to drive decision-making and improve reporting quality.
✨Showcase Your Transformation Experience
This role is all about finance transformation, so come prepared with examples of how you've led or contributed to similar initiatives. Highlight specific projects where you identified opportunities for process improvement and how those changes positively impacted the organisation.
✨Build Relationships
Strong stakeholder management is crucial in this position. Think of ways you've successfully collaborated with senior finance and operational leaders in the past. Be ready to share how you built trust and influenced decisions, especially in complex environments.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect questions that assess your analytical skills and ability to handle complex accounting entries or variances. Prepare by thinking through potential scenarios you might face in the role and how you would approach them, demonstrating your problem-solving skills and governance mindset.
