At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead finance transformation initiatives and prepare the business for IPO readiness.
- Company: Dynamic company in Berkshire, entering a significant growth phase.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for travel.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with strong focus on continuous improvement and career growth.
- Why this job: Be a key player in shaping financial governance and reporting for a future IPO.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in IPO readiness and finance transformation.
The predicted salary is between 70000 - 90000 £ per year.
Contract: 2-year Fixed Term Contract
Location: Berkshire (with some travel)
Start Date: Within 1 month
About the Role
An exciting opportunity has arisen for an experienced Financial Controller to join a business entering a significant phase. This newly created role will play a critical part in strengthening financial reporting, governance, and control frameworks while supporting the organisation's long-term strategic objectives. Reporting into the CFO and working alongside an established finance team, the successful candidate will lead a range of finance transformation initiatives. These include enhancing reporting standards, embedding robust controls, improving planning processes, and delivering a successful transition to IFRS. The role is focused on driving change, coordinating complex workstreams, and preparing the business for increased external scrutiny and future capital market opportunities.
Key Responsibilities
- Strengthen the quality, integrity, and consistency of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting
- Enhance balance sheet governance, ownership, reconciliations, and review processes
- Ensure financial outputs are robust, well-documented, and capable of withstanding external scrutiny
- Improve documentation of key accounting judgements, estimates, and technical positions
- Support the development of a best-in-class reporting environment aligned to a scaling business
IPO Readiness & External Reporting
- Lead finance workstreams supporting the organisation’s IPO readiness programme
- Develop reporting, governance, and control frameworks expected of a publicly listed business
- Ensure financial information, processes, and documentation support due diligence, investor scrutiny, and regulatory requirements
- Support preparation of financial disclosures aligned with capital markets expectations
- Coordinate internal and external stakeholders to deliver key readiness milestones
- Drive improvements in financial governance, audit preparedness, and reporting transparency
IFRS Conversion
- Lead the end-to-end transition from current accounting standards to IFRS (including IFRS 17)
- Develop accounting policies, technical position papers, and supporting documentation
- Assess and quantify the impact of key accounting differences across the business
- Coordinate input from finance, operational teams, auditors, and external advisors
- Ensure controlled and successful implementation alongside ongoing reporting requirements
- Lead delivery of a coordinated finance transformation roadmap across multiple workstreams
- Develop clear plans, milestones, deliverables, and risk management processes
- Drive progress through collaboration and influence across finance and the wider business
- Maintain momentum while ensuring continuity of business-critical reporting activities
- Act as a catalyst for continuous improvement across reporting, governance, and control processes
Planning, Performance & Governance
- Introduce greater structure, discipline, and consistency to budgeting and forecasting processes
- Improve alignment between forecasts, KPIs, and reported financial performance
- Establish clear governance frameworks and performance review cycles
- Support integration of planning processes with statutory and external reporting requirements
Reporting Framework & Disclosure Readiness
- Develop reporting structures aligned with best practice in regulated environments
- Improve quality, consistency, and transparency of financial disclosures
- Establish repeatable, documented processes supported by a strong audit trail
- Align management reporting and statutory outputs where appropriate
Controls, Governance & Assurance
- Design and embed a robust financial control framework
- Define ownership, review, and sign-off responsibilities across finance processes
- Strengthen month-end close processes, accountability, and reporting discipline
- Support external audit, financial due diligence, and assurance activities
Commercial & Corporate Finance Collaboration
- Provide technical accounting expertise to support KPI development and reporting
- Assist in creation of IFRS-to-management reporting bridges and reconciliations
- Ensure adjusted performance measures are clearly defined, consistent, and supportable
- Partner with commercial and corporate finance teams to enhance reporting quality and decision-making
Candidate Profile
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- Experience supporting IPO readiness or exit processes (essential)
- Strong financial reporting and technical accounting expertise
- Experience leading finance transformation, reporting improvement, or change programmes
- Proven ability to influence stakeholders and deliver through collaboration
- Strong project management and organisational skills
- IFRS implementation or conversion experience highly desirable
Financial Controller – Transformation & IPO Readiness in Reading employer: Stanton House
Join a forward-thinking organisation in Berkshire as a Financial Controller, where you will play a pivotal role in driving financial transformation and preparing for IPO readiness. Our collaborative work culture fosters innovation and continuous improvement, offering you the chance to lead significant initiatives while benefiting from professional growth opportunities and a supportive team environment. With a focus on excellence and integrity, we provide a unique platform for you to make a meaningful impact in a dynamic business landscape.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller – Transformation & IPO Readiness in Reading
✨Tip Number 1: Tap Into Professional Networks
The finance world loves a good connection, so jump into industry-specific groups on platforms like LinkedIn where you can find discussions on financial controlling. Engaging in these communities can expose you to hidden job leads that aren't openly advertised!
✨Tip Number 2: Attend Finance Events and Conferences
Make it a mission to attend finance-related events and conferences, even virtual ones! This is a golden opportunity to network face-to-face with people from companies like Stanton House. You never know who might be your next boss or a crucial contact!
✨Tip Number 3: Showcase Your Expertise
Consider writing articles or sharing insights related to financial controlling or industry trends. Publish these on platforms like LinkedIn to establish yourself as a knowledgeable player in the field. This not only increases your visibility but also catches the attention of recruiters from Stanton House.
✨Tip Number 4: Apply Directly on Company Websites
Since you're going for a full-time gig, don't forget to keep an eye on the careers page of companies you're interested in, like Stanton House. Many companies prefer candidates who apply through their website as it shows genuine interest and makes your application stand out!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller – Transformation & IPO Readiness in Reading
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Off Your Numbers Game:In financial controlling, detail is everything! Make sure your CV showcases your proficiency with numbers—highlight any relevant experience in budgeting, forecasting, or working with financial software. Quantifying your past achievements will make you stand out, so don’t be shy about flaunting those impressive percentages or cost savings you've implemented.
Tailored Cover Letter is Key:Your cover letter is a chance to shine, especially for a full-time role. Use it to express your genuine interest in Stanton House and the specific impact you hope to make in financial controlling. Mention any relevant qualifications or experiences that align with the company’s goals, and don’t forget to show that you're ready for a long-term commitment!
Certifications Matter:List relevant certifications such as ACCA or CIMA on your CV. These qualifications not only showcase your dedication to the field but also your technical competence in financial principles. If you have any ongoing training or courses, make sure to mention those as well to demonstrate your commitment to continual learning in financial controlling.
Don’t Overlook Soft Skills:While numbers are crucial, so are those soft skills! Financial controllers need strong communication and analytical reasoning abilities. We recommend embedding examples of these skills in your CV and cover letter, like how you’ve successfully delivered financial reports to stakeholders or collaborated with teams to improve processes. Let’s show Stanton House how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Stanton House
✨Brush Up on Technical Skills
Make sure you're comfortable with key financial concepts, especially around forecasting, budgeting, and variance analysis. Sometimes, interviewers may throw in technical questions or case studies, so practicing these types of scenarios will help you shine!
✨Showcase Your Financial Acumen
If you've had experience with specific financial software like SAP or Oracle, make it known! Be ready to discuss how you used these tools to improve processes or reporting, as this hands-on knowledge can really set you apart in a full-time role with Stanton House.
✨Know Your Numbers
In full-time interviews, especially in financial controlling, be prepared for numerical reasoning tests or questions. Brush up on your mental maths and understand how to interpret and analyse financial statements on the spot, as this may come up during the assessment.
✨Connect with Company Goals
Familiarise yourself with Stanton House's financial objectives and any recent developments. During the interview, try to weave your understanding of their business model and challenges into your answers—this shows your genuine interest and alignment with their goals!
