Financial Controller (Financial Services) in London

Sterling Lexicon is a leading provider of global mobility services. We manage all facets of our clients' mobility programs, while focusing on providing flexible solutions for corporate and U.S. government organisations worldwide. Sterling Lexicon are specialists in Global Mobility. We work with corporates and private individuals looking to make international moves and support them in all aspects of that move, from searching for houses and schools in their required location, to organising language lessons and visas to make their relocation seamless. Sterling Lexicon is a dynamic, fast‑paced organisation with new offices in Uxbridge. We have offices across EMEA and APAC in the UK, Germany, France, Spain, Switzerland, Singapore, China, India and one in the US.

Description of services

• Expense Management: This is a service offered to clients where we arrange relocation related payment on their behalf utilising either a float provided by the client or subsidised by Sterling.
• Disbursements: This is a service offered to clients either on a contractual basis or an ad hoc basis, where we would make relocation related payments to a supplier or landlord (for example) on behalf of a client and rebill the client accordingly.
• Billing: This is a Shared Service department where we will bill our service fees for all 9 Sterling Lexicon entities to all external customers on a timely basis.

Financial responsibility (Expense Management/Disbursement)

• Ensure accounting entries are performed and recorded accurately in all ledgers.
• Review and audit bank and float reconciliation on a regular basis for all client-held funds and Sterling funded accounts.
• Understand the client policies and procedures and ensure payments are made in accordance with policies.
• Ensure clients are regularly recharged in line with expenditure to keep funds at agreed levels.
• Ensure clients are billed for our management charges and/or services.
• Review and document current workflows and review for financial compliance.
• Review processes and make recommendations for system and process improvements.
• Review FX processes and minimise exposure and costs related to international payments.
• Build and maintain external relationships with providers of financial services.
• Assist in RFP pricing proposals.
• Build client relationships.
• Be the spokesperson for the service offered to potential new clients.
• Review reporting requirements produced by the team to ensure they match client requirements and expectations.
• Ensure client KPI’s are met.
• Work closely with internal Account Management and Service Delivery departments.
• Work closely with the Sales Team to develop bespoke customer focused solutions to achieve clients’ business objectives.
• Respond to all customer complaints through liaison with co‑ordinators, management and client personnel.

Financial responsibility (Billing)

• Manage a team who will be capable of completing monthly billing across the business.
• Provide feedback to the business to ensure consistency of approach and continual process improvement.
• Ensure that billing is done daily – monitor year on year improvements in flattening out the end of month peak.
• Escalate any billing issues (missing PO numbers, data integrity etc.) to the relevant managers and put processes in place to ensure that those issues are fixed promptly.
• Produce estimates for billing on a regular basis to help with business planning.
• Flag any negative billing or consistent low margin jobs/lanes to the relevant manager/account director.
• Set challenging billing targets and streamline ways of working.
• Work closely with each department head to ensure that all billing is managed promptly and smoothly.
• Analyze the reasons for credit notes being issued.

Financial responsibility (Overall)

• Contribute to the financial welfare of the company by achieving and exceeding set financial targets.
• Compile budgets and KPI’s and present proposals to the Senior Management of Sterling.
• Support implementation of new clients and ensure that finance requirements and compliance needs are met.
• Provide audit information requested on a timely basis for audits taking place across all Sterling Lexicon entities.

Systems and process responsibility

• Continuous review of processes and systems used within the Finance team, making recommendations and producing business cases for system improvements.
• Testing and implementing new systems for rapid roll out.

Staff Management

• Effectively manage, motivate and develop the various teams.
• Implementation of a change management culture by challenging & replacing established processes and procedures where necessary.
• Liaise with different departments to ensure the team are properly supporting the needs of the operating businesses.

Skills & Experience

• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills.
• Experience of working with Shared Services Centre.
• Good understanding of various systems and how they interact.
• The ability to drive change and a desire to continually improve.
• Strong team player and ability to communicate and build relationships with people at all levels of the organisation.
• High level of computer literacy.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. Use your current and previous experience to find new opportunities on the road to success. At Sterling Lexicon, we’re committed to helping our employees flourish and reach new heights.