Finance Risk & Controls Lead (Financial Reporting)
Finance Risk & Controls Lead (Financial Reporting)

Finance Risk & Controls Lead (Financial Reporting)

Full-Time 55000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial reporting risk management and strengthen controls across finance teams.
  • Company: Dynamic finance firm promoting a flexible and inclusive work culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, generous leave, private medical cover, and career development opportunities.
  • Other info: Flexible working options available, including part-time and job-share.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in finance while enjoying a balanced work-life environment.
  • Qualifications: Strong financial reporting background with expertise in risk and control management.

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 & Controls Lead, you’ll be at the heart of strengthening how Finance identifies, owns and manages financial reporting risks and controls. This role is suited to a technically strong financial reporting professional with an accounting background, who understands what effective controls look like in practice and can support Finance teams to design, operate and evidence them well. This is not just a role — it’s an opportunity to influence.

You’ll work closely with Line 1 teams and senior Finance leaders to support them in identifying reporting risks, building robust controls, and demonstrating that those controls operate effectively. You will not own the control framework or operate controls yourself; 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 Lead (Financial Reporting) employer: Standard Life plc

Join a forward-thinking company that prioritises work-life balance and offers flexible working arrangements, allowing you to thrive both professionally and personally. With competitive salaries, generous benefits including 38 days of annual leave, private medical cover, and opportunities for career growth, you'll be empowered to make a significant impact in your role as Finance Risk & Controls Lead. Our inclusive culture values diverse backgrounds and experiences, ensuring that every employee feels valued and supported in their journey.
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Contact Detail:

Standard Life plc Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land Finance Risk & Controls Lead (Financial Reporting)

✨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 interviews by practising common questions and scenarios related to financial reporting risks and controls. We want you to feel confident and ready to showcase your expertise!

✨Tip Number 3

Don’t forget to follow up after interviews! A quick thank-you email can leave a lasting impression and show your enthusiasm for the role.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website for the best chance of landing the job. We love seeing candidates who are proactive and engaged with our company!

We think you need these skills to ace Finance Risk & Controls Lead (Financial Reporting)

Financial Reporting
Risk Management
Control Design
Accounting Judgements
Stakeholder Engagement
Control Testing
Evidence Quality Assurance
Root Cause Analysis
Governance and Oversight
Analytical Skills
Communication Skills
Influencing Skills
Pragmatism
Problem-Solving Skills

Some tips for your application 🫡

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV speaks directly to the role of Finance Risk & Controls Lead. Highlight your experience with financial reporting risks and controls, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant achievements that demonstrate your expertise.

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. Mention specific examples from your past that align with the responsibilities outlined in the job description.

Showcase Your Technical Skills: Since this role requires a strong accounting background, make sure to highlight your technical skills clearly. Discuss your familiarity with control design and testing, as well as any tools or methodologies you’ve used in the past.

Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you don’t miss out on any important updates!

How to prepare for a job interview at Standard Life plc

✨Know Your Financial Reporting Stuff

Make sure you brush up on your financial reporting knowledge. Understand the key risks and controls that are relevant to the role. Be ready to discuss how you've identified and managed these in past positions, as this will show your technical credibility.

✨Prepare for Scenario Questions

Expect to be asked about specific scenarios where you've had to challenge control designs or improve processes. Think of examples where you provided guidance and assurance to teams, and be prepared to explain your thought process and the outcomes.

✨Show Your Stakeholder Engagement Skills

This role involves working closely with various finance teams and leaders. Be ready to share examples of how you've effectively communicated and influenced stakeholders in the past. Highlight your ability to build relationships while maintaining independence.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the current challenges the finance teams face regarding risk and controls. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand how you can make a real impact.

Finance Risk & Controls Lead (Financial Reporting)
Standard Life plc

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