Financial Controller

Financial Controller

Temporary 60000 - 70000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
STRAT7

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Manage financial operations and ensure accurate reporting for STRAT7.
  • Company: Join a global data and strategy group with a collaborative culture.
  • Benefits: Competitive salary, flexible working, generous holiday, and pension contributions.
  • Other info: Dynamic environment with opportunities for growth and inclusivity.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact on financial performance while working with cutting-edge AI technology.
  • Qualifications: Professional accounting qualification and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.

STRAT7 is a global data, insight, and strategy group built to give businesses a genuine commercial edge. We bring together seven specialist practices, each leaders in their field, united by shared technology, shared talent, and a single integrated model we call Collective Advantage. Operating across multiple industry verticals and twelve markets, our 350+ data scientists, insight consultants, and strategic advisors work as one connected team, with AI woven into every client engagement through Nucleus, our proprietary AI hub. The result is faster, sharper, more impactful work — and a partner that equips global brands with the strategies they need to navigate disruption and accelerate growth.

We are looking for an experienced Financial Controller to join STRAT7 on a 12-month fixed-term contract, providing maternity cover. The Financial Controller role is the backbone of STRAT7 Limited's financial operations genuinely making an impact on how STRAT7 Limited performs and scales. The role reports to the Group Financial Controller owning comprehensive financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, and management accounts. The position keeps all regulatory requirements tight, maintains the central P&L, reconciles inter-agency transactions, and manages tax submissions and fixed asset records. Working closely with Finance Business Partners across agency divisions, this role supports budgeting and forecasting while laying the financial groundwork for the organisation's operational and commercial goals.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Produce accurate and timely trial balance and management accounts for STRAT7 Ltd
  • Prepare and reconcile balance sheets, liaising with Agency Finance Business Partners as required
  • Maintain ownership of STRAT7 central P&L and ensure alignment with sum of agency P&Ls
  • Prepare ONS submissions for STRAT7 Ltd
  • Process PSA calculations and other ongoing tax requirements
  • Process payroll postings and review pension payments
  • Maintain intra-agency reconciliation and sign-off
  • Reconcile inter-agency balances involving STRAT7 Limited at each month end
  • Process internal cost re-allocation postings and reconciliations
  • Maintain Fixed Asset register and process depreciation postings
  • Maintain Intangible Asset register and process capitalisation calculations
  • Process Agency Job books review and Net Revenue submission
  • Gather client and supplier rebates information from Agency Finance Business Partners
  • Support FP&A team in the production of Budget / Forecast process
  • Support FP&A team in the production of pipeline reporting
  • Prepare ad hoc queries and analysis relating to STRAT7 Ltd
  • Manage the transactional team members

SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES

  • A professional accounting qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office and accounting/reporting software systems
  • Strong technical accounting skills and knowledge of UK GAAP and audit practices
  • Meticulous attention to detail with excellent analytical and problem‑solving capabilities
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities, work under pressure and meet tight deadlines
  • Effective communicator who can liaise clearly across all levels
  • Advanced Excel skills to include aggregation / lookup formulae and Power Queries
  • Experience of use of artificial intelligence in a finance function
  • Use of financial reporting / visualisation tools such as Datarails

BENEFITS

The role comes with a competitive salary between £60,000 - £70,000, subject to experience and location (London or Leeds). Benefits include:

  • 25 days holiday plus UK bank holidays (our office also shuts between Christmas and New Year)
  • Flexible, hybrid working options – we expect you to be at the office 3 days a week
  • A contributory group personal pension scheme, to which we contribute 4% of Qualified Banded earnings to each team member’s gross salary after an initial 3 months service
  • 2 volunteering paid days per year (under a formal program for a registered charity)
  • A Health cash plan
  • Life assurance scheme at 4 x salary
  • Cycle to work scheme following successful completion of probation

RECRUITMENT

Recruitment for this role will involve between three or four interviews. Start date – Beginning of August.

DISCLOSURE

STRAT7 is an Equal Opportunity Employer and our employees are people with different strengths, experiences and backgrounds, who share a passion for research. Our commitment to inclusivity is not just about race and gender identity, but also age, disability status, sexual orientation, religion and many other parts of one's identity. All of our employee's points of view are key to our success, and inclusion is everyone's responsibility.

Financial Controller employer: STRAT7

STRAT7 is an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture, where employees are empowered to make a real impact on the company's financial operations. With flexible hybrid working options, generous holiday allowances, and a commitment to employee growth through volunteering opportunities, STRAT7 provides a supportive environment for its team members to thrive. Located in vibrant cities like London and Leeds, employees benefit from a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, making it an attractive place for professionals seeking meaningful and rewarding careers.

STRAT7

Contact Details:

STRAT7 Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Financial Controller

Join Financial Networking Events

Jump into local finance meetups and conferences — they’re a goldmine for temporary roles in banking and financial services. You can chat with industry professionals and even get leads on upcoming opportunities that might not be posted online yet.

Utilise Temp Agencies Specialised in Finance

Reach out to temp agencies that focus on the banking sector. They often have strong ties with various firms and can help you secure short-term gigs that can help beef up your CV and get your foot in the door at firms like STRAT7.

Connect with Alumni from Your Uni

Don't underestimate the power of your university’s alumni network. Many former students are working in banking and can help you find temporary roles or even offer mentorship. Reach out directly or attend alumni events to broaden your circle.

Stay Active on Job Boards and Company Websites

Keep your eyes peeled on job boards specifically for finance roles. Companies like STRAT7 might post temporary positions directly on their sites, so make sure to apply there too. Set alerts to catch those roles the moment they go live!

We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller

Professional Accounting Qualification (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
Proficient in Microsoft Office
Accounting/Reporting Software Systems
Technical Accounting Skills
Knowledge of UK GAAP
Audit Practices
Attention to Detail

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Off Your Academic Achievements:In banking and financial services, your academic record can really make you stand out. List relevant grades, certifications, or coursework on your CV, especially if you've taken finance-related modules. This is particularly important for a temporary role where qualifications can help you shine even brighter!

Highlight Relevant Experience:If you’ve done any internships, part-time roles, or even coursework that aligns with banking or finance, make sure you include those! Showcase specific tasks where you used quantitative skills or analytical thinking, as this is what the hiring managers at STRAT7 will be keen to see in your application.

Tailor Your Cover Letter Purposefully:When writing your cover letter, focus on why you’re interested in a temporary position at STRAT7. Let them know how you can quickly adapt to the team's needs and how eager you are to learn the ropes of the banking sector during this short stint. Your motivation and enthusiasm could really set you apart!

Be Prepared with References:For temporary roles, references can play a crucial role in your application. Make sure you’ve got a couple of references lined up who can vouch for your skills and work ethic. This helps to give STRAT7 confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.

How to prepare for a job interview at STRAT7

Brush Up on Financial Regulations

Since this is a role in banking and financial services, be ready to discuss key regulations like MiFID, Basel III, or GDPR. These are hot topics, and your awareness of how they impact daily operations can give you a significant edge during your interview with STRAT7.

Showcase Your Analytical Skills

Prepare for interview questions that assess your analytical abilities. You might need to tackle hypothetical scenarios involving risk assessment or financial forecasting. Bringing examples of relevant projects or coursework can emphasise your practical understanding of these concepts.

Highlight Flexibility and Adaptability

For a temporary role, showing that you can quickly pick up new processes and tools is crucial. Be ready to discuss previous experiences where you had to adapt to changing requirements or tight deadlines, as this will reassure STRAT7 that you’re a reliable team player.

Demonstrate a Willingness to Learn

In a temporary position, leaning into your eagerness to learn can really set you apart. Be prepared to share how you’re staying updated on industry trends or any additional training you've pursued. Employers appreciate candidates who are proactive about their development—even for short-term roles.