At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial risk oversight and ensure high-quality control practices in reporting.
- Company: Dynamic finance team with a focus on collaboration and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and flexible working options.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diverse backgrounds and perspectives.
- Why this job: Make a real impact while developing your career in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Experience in finance and strong analytical skills required.
The predicted salary is between 55000 - 70000 £ per year.
Job Type: Permanent
Location: Edinburgh / Birmingham, with normally a minimum of 2 days a week working in the office and the rest working at home. We believe that benefits both you and our business, helping ensure that you can balance a successful career with your life outside of work while maximising the value of face‑to‑face stakeholder engagement.
Flexible working: All roles are open to part‑time, job‑share and other types of flexibility. We will discuss what is important to you and balancing this with business requirements during the recruitment process.
Closing Date: Tuesday 12th May
Salary and benefits: £55,000 - £70,000 plus an indicative bonus range of 16%-32%, private medical cover, 38 days annual leave, excellent pension, 12x salary life assurance, career breaks, income protection, 3x volunteering days and much more.
The Role
Are you ready to make a real impact? As our Finance Risk instead, you’ll provide expert challenge, guidance and assurance, helping teams embed consistent, high‑quality control practices across end‑to‑end financial reporting processes. The focus of the role is on financial reporting risk and key reporting controls, ensuring risks are clearly understood, controls are well articulated, and weaknesses are identified and addressed early. As a trusted advisor, you’ll combine technical accounting credibility with pragmatism and influence — supporting Finance leaders to take confident ownership of their risks and controls while maintaining appropriate independence and challenge. This is a delivery‑focused role offering real scope to build your profile, gain senior exposure, and drive meaningful improvement where it matters most.
What We Are Looking For
- Support Line 1 Finance teams to identify, articulate and document financial reporting risks and controls across close, consolidation, accounting judgements and disclosures.
- Provide expert challenge on control design, ensuring controls are proportionate, clearly defined and aligned to the underlying accounting risk.
- Lead and coordinate first‑line control testing and review activity, assessing design and operating effectiveness and feeding back clear, practical findings to control owners.
- Support Finance teams to strengthen evidence quality and consistency, ensuring controls are demonstrable and sustainable.
- Identify themes, systemic issues and emerging risks across financial reporting controls and support teams to address root causes.
- Contribute insight and analysis to governance and oversight forums, presenting a clear view of control health and areas requiring attention.
- Act as a knowledgeable stakeholder to assurance activity, providing subject‑matter input and challenge, while maintaining clear Line 1 ownership within the business.
We Want To Hire The Whole Version Of You
We are committed to ensuring that everyone feels accepted and welcome applicants from all backgrounds. If your experience looks different from what we’ve advertised and you believe that you can bring value to the role, we’d love to hear from you. If you require any adjustments to the recruitment process, please let us know so we can help you to be at your best.
Finance Risk & Controls Oversight Lead in Edinburgh employer: Standard Life plc
Contact Detail:
Standard Life plc Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Finance Risk & Controls Oversight Lead in Edinburgh
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current employees on LinkedIn or attend industry events. It’s all about making connections that can help you get your foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews! Research the company and the role inside out. We want you to be able to showcase how your skills align with their needs, especially around financial reporting risks and controls.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice makes perfect! Do mock interviews with friends or use online resources. The more comfortable you are discussing your experience and how it relates to the job, the better.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 take that extra step!
We think you need these skills to ace Finance Risk & Controls Oversight Lead in Edinburgh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Risk & Controls Oversight Lead. Highlight relevant experience and skills that align with the job description, especially around financial reporting risks and controls.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for this role. Share specific examples of how you've tackled similar challenges in the past and how you can bring value to our team.
Showcase Your Soft Skills: While technical skills are crucial, don’t forget to highlight your soft skills too! Communication, influence, and the ability to work collaboratively are key in this role, so make sure to weave these into your application.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life plc
✨Know Your Financial Risks
Make sure you brush up on the key financial reporting risks and controls relevant to the role. Be prepared to discuss how you've identified and managed these in your previous positions. This shows that you understand the core responsibilities of the Finance Risk & Controls Oversight Lead.
✨Demonstrate Your Challenge Skills
Think of examples where you've provided expert challenge on control design or risk management. Be ready to explain how you ensured controls were proportionate and effective. This will highlight your ability to influence and support finance leaders confidently.
✨Showcase Your Communication Style
Since this role involves presenting insights and analysis, practice articulating complex financial concepts clearly and concisely. Use examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated findings to stakeholders, ensuring they understood the implications.
✨Emphasise Flexibility and Teamwork
With the role offering flexible working arrangements, be prepared to discuss how you balance remote work with in-office collaboration. Share examples of how you've worked effectively in teams, especially in a hybrid environment, to demonstrate your adaptability and commitment to stakeholder engagement.