At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance operations, reporting, and strategic support in a scaling tech SME.
- Company: Join a dynamic research and data SME with a focus on growth.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, flexible working hours, and opportunities for professional development.
- Other info: Ideal for those who thrive in a data-rich, high-growth setting.
- Why this job: Make a real impact by owning the finance function in a fast-paced environment.
- Qualifications: Must have finance qualifications and experience in commercial finance or business partnering.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 75000 £ per year.
SRM Recruitment are partnering with a research and data SME (circa £10mn) who are looking to attract a Financial Controller/Senior Finance Manager to the business. This role is a 4 day a week in the office position. This is a role for a candidate that relishes working in a scaling business and who wants to own the finance function day-to-day. This is a sole charge position, albeit with support from within BusOps on areas such as AP. It’s a hands-on role spanning the cadence and requirements of core finance, systems improvement, and genuine commercial partnership.
Key responsibilities:
- Finance operations: Oversee month-end close and ensure accurate, timely numbers. Oversee accounts receivable and payable. Manage external accountants and tax advisors (VAT, statutory accounts, filings). Own payroll. Improve financial controls, approval processes, and audit readiness.
- Reporting & insights: Deliver monthly management reporting with variance analysis and actionable narrative. Provide finance inputs to annual, quarterly board reporting. Support fundraising and corporate finance activity with reporting and analysis.
- Planning & forecasting: Own the annual budget, run rolling forecasts, build scenario models (hiring, pricing, capacity), and produce forecast-vs-actuals analysis with clear commentary that leadership actually uses.
- Commercial & strategic support: Provide pricing and deal support including margin and sensitivity analysis. Maintain investor-ready models and data packs. Support long-term financial strategy with structured analysis.
- Systems & automation: Partner with Operations on the finance stack (QuickBooks, Datarails). Drive automation of reporting and forecasting workflows. Use AI to minimise manual and repeat work across the finance function. Define what leadership needs from BI and reporting outputs.
You will be/have in terms of key experience to date:
- A practice trained (ACA, CA) with industry experience, or an industry trained (likely ACCA, CIMA) with at least 4 years in a commercial finance or finance business partnering background, ideally in a high-growth or scale-up environment.
- Month-end close management: ability to run a reliable, timely close process and ensure accurate numbers with minimal fire drills; experience managing external accountants.
- A track record of building forecasting and reporting cadences that leadership trusts and uses.
- Good financial modelling skills — 3-statement models, scenario planning, sensitivity analysis.
- Ability to translate financial complexity into clear narrative and recommendations.
- Strong stakeholder management across commercial, delivery, ops, and leadership teams.
- Comfort working with imperfect data and a drive to improve it through better definitions, processes, and systems.
In addition, if you have experience of working in a data rich/SaaS environment this is considered a considerable advantage, as is the desire to work in a fast-moving environment.
Bonus points for:
- Experience automating finance processes using AI and other technologies.
- Familiarity with QuickBooks, Datarails, or similar FP&A tooling.
- Experience supporting board reporting, investor materials, or fundraising prep.
Financial Controller (scaling SME Technology) in City of London employer: SRM Recruitment
Contact Detail:
SRM Recruitment Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller (scaling SME Technology) in City of London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who have experience in scaling businesses. They might know about opportunities that aren't advertised yet, and a personal recommendation can go a long way.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company’s financial practices and challenges. Show them you understand their needs and how you can improve their finance function. Tailor your examples to highlight your hands-on experience with month-end closes and forecasting.
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t just apply; engage! When you submit your application through our website, follow up with a friendly email expressing your enthusiasm for the role. This shows initiative and keeps you on their radar.
✨Tip Number 4
Be ready to discuss how you can leverage technology in finance. With your experience in automation and tools like QuickBooks or Datarails, demonstrate how you can streamline processes and improve reporting efficiency in their scaling environment.
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller (scaling SME Technology) in City of London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Financial Controller. Highlight your experience in finance operations, month-end close management, and any relevant tech tools you've used. We want to see how your background fits with our scaling SME vibe!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're excited about this role and how you can contribute to our finance function. Be sure to mention your hands-on experience and any specific achievements that align with the job description.
Showcase Your Financial Acumen: In your application, don’t shy away from discussing your financial modelling skills and your ability to deliver actionable insights. We love candidates who can translate complex financial data into clear narratives that leadership can actually use!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It helps us keep track of your application and ensures you get all the updates directly from us. Plus, it shows you're keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at SRM Recruitment
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your grasp of financial metrics. Brush up on key figures related to month-end close processes, forecasting, and reporting. Be ready to discuss how you've managed these in previous roles, especially in high-growth environments.
✨Showcase Your Systems Savvy
Familiarity with finance tools like QuickBooks and Datarails is a must. Prepare to talk about your experience with these systems or similar ones. Highlight any automation projects you've led, especially those that improved efficiency in reporting or forecasting.
✨Communicate Clearly
You’ll need to translate complex financial data into actionable insights for leadership. Practice explaining your past experiences in a straightforward manner, focusing on how your analyses have influenced business decisions. Use examples that showcase your ability to simplify financial narratives.
✨Be Ready for Scenario Planning
Expect questions around scenario modelling and sensitivity analysis. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you've built forecasts or models that helped guide strategic decisions. Show your understanding of how these tools can support the company's growth trajectory.