Financial Controller 14 Months FTC in London

Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing, is dedicated to providing the best in fiction and non-fiction for readers of all ages, and in all printed, digital and audio formats. Its distinguished roster of authors includes many of the world's most popular and widely recognized writers, and winners of the most prestigious literary honors and awards.

The Financial Controller is responsible for leading the UK financial reporting and control function of a £80m revenue, £13m profit publishing company within a $1bn global publishing group. Reporting to the CFO (UK & International), the role provides leadership to the UK finance operations team covering financial accounting, royalties and transactional finance, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting, a robust controls environment, and comprehensive reporting to the US parent company.

The role also plays a key part in maintaining operational discipline across the finance function while identifying opportunities to improve processes and efficiency.

As Financial Controller, you will:

• Lead the monthly close process, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting in line with group standards.
• Maintain the integrity of the balance sheet through review of key journals, provisions and reconciliations.
• Manage intercompany reporting and relationships with international affiliates.
• Oversee a strong internal controls environment.
• Lead the preparation of statutory accounts and the external audit process.
• Ensure full compliance with UK tax and regulatory requirements.
• Oversee cash management in line with group treasury policies.
• Lead and develop a team of approximately 10 across Financial Accounting, Royalties and Transactional Finance.
• Drive high operational standards and accountability.
• Oversee accurate and timely author royalty reporting.
• Identify and implement process improvements to enhance efficiency and strengthen workflows across Accounts Payable and Receivable.

The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience in financial control or a senior finance role, and a proven ability to lead and develop high-performing teams. You bring strong technical accounting knowledge, ideally with exposure to both UK and US GAAP, and experience operating within a group structure.

A confident and credible communicator, who is comfortable engaging with both finance and non-finance stakeholders, combining a high level of integrity with a pragmatic, solutions-focused approach. You are highly organised, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities to tight deadlines, with a track record of strengthening financial controls and improving processes. Experience in publishing, media, or a royalties-based environment would be advantageous, but is not essential.

Closing date: 07/04/2026. Please apply by attaching your CV and cover letter.

Unfortunately, Simon & Schuster UK cannot accept applications from candidates without a legal right to work in the UK or who require visa sponsorship. Right to work checks are carried out on candidates who make it to offer stage.

Simon & Schuster UK is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, colour, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity and gender expression.

At Simon & Schuster UK, the spirit of inclusion feeds into everything that we do, we believe that opportunity, access, resources and rewards should be available to and for the benefit of all.