At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial governance and reporting for a dynamic events agency.
- Company: Join Strata, a fast-paced brand experience agency with exciting clients.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, private health insurance, and hybrid working.
- Other info: Collaborative culture with opportunities for personal and professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a creative environment while developing your finance skills.
- Qualifications: Must be ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified with strong financial control experience.
The predicted salary is between 56700 - 69300 £ per year.
Location: London – Hybrid (plus travel as required)
We are Strata! Imagine being part of a fast and exciting brand experience agency whose clients include specialists in new technology, creators of some of the most stunning electric vehicles on the planet, financial institutions, and global leaders in pharmaceutical solutions. As an agency, we elevate these brands and make them heard through immersive and memorable virtual and face-to-face experiences. As a people-first business, we encourage ambition, support and reward. We’re always listening and open to your ideas, just as we do with our clients. Our name? It’s Strata, an agency on a mission to be the very best. This means we always want to hear from the very best creative and intelligent souls who genuinely believe that every moment matters.
Job Overview
The Financial Controller is responsible for the financial integrity, control, and reporting of the events agency. In a business driven by complex, project-based delivery, fluctuating workloads, and tight margins, this role ensures robust financial governance while enabling informed commercial decision-making. The Financial Controller oversees all core accounting functions, maintains strong internal controls, and provides accurate, timely financial insight to support leadership, delivery teams, and stakeholders.
Key Responsibilities
- Financial Control & Governance
- Own the integrity of the agency’s financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
- Maintain and continually improve financial controls, processes, and risk management.
- Ensure accurate balance sheet management, including reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, and provisions.
- Support audit processes and act as key contact for external auditors and advisors.
- Reporting & Month-End Close
- Lead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate management accounts.
- Prepare financial reports including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and variance analysis.
- Ensure consistent and accurate reporting across projects, departments, and entities (where applicable).
- Support board, investor, or stakeholder reporting as required.
- Project & Event Financial Oversight
- Oversee financial control of live event projects, including WIP, accruals, and revenue recognition.
- Ensure correct treatment of event deposits, advances, milestone billing, and final reconciliations.
- Work closely with Project Managers and Client Services to ensure financial accuracy and margin visibility.
- Identify financial risks related to project delivery and escape appropriately.
- Cash Flow & Working Capital
- Own cash flow forecasting and monitoring.
- Oversee invoicing, credit control, and debtor management to minimise DSO.
- Ensure supplier payments are managed accurately and efficiently.
- Support working capital optimisation across the business.
- Systems, Process & Control Improvement
- Own finance systems and ensure effective integration with project, CRM, and operational platforms.
- Improve reporting accuracy, automation, and efficiency.
- Ensure data quality, audit trails, and documentation standards are maintained.
- Team Leadership & Business Partnering
- Line-manage and develop the finance team, setting clear objectives and performance standards.
- Act as a trusted finance partner to senior leadership and delivery teams.
- Support budgeting and forecasting processes in partnership with FP&A.
- Provide clear financial guidance to non-finance stakeholders.
The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the below experience:
- Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior financial reporting role.
- Fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
- Strong technical accounting knowledge and hands-on financial control experience.
- Experience in a project-based, agency, professional services, events, or production-led environment.
- Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems.
- Confidence working with senior stakeholders and advising on financial risk.
- Experience in multi-entity, high-growth, or private-equity backed businesses.
- Exposure to revenue recognition in project-based or service businesses.
- Experience improving finance controls, systems, or operating models.
Detail-oriented with a strong control mindset. Calm, confident, and authoritative under pressure. Commercially aware with a practical approach to problem-solving. Collaborative leader who combines rigour with approachability.
Employee Benefits
- 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays
- Birthday day off
- Private Health Insurance*
- Workplace pension scheme
- Death in service scheme
- Cycle to work scheme
- Hybrid working arrangement
- Regular social events
*Upon successful completion of a 6-month probation period
Our Principles
We are a people-first brand experience agency with a set of core principles that guide our every action by measuring:
- A win for the client: Client success is at the forefront of everything we do. We measure our success by the impact we make for our clients. We strive to exceed your expectations, delivering moments that matter with results that matter.
- A win for the company: We believe in long-term partnerships and sustainable growth. When your business prospers, so does ours. Our commitment to excellence and innovation means we’re always ahead of the curve, offering you the best brand experiences.
- A win for the team: Our team is the lifeblood of our agency. We celebrate diversity, promote collaboration, and foster an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and empowered. When our team thrives, their passion and dedication is reflected in everything we deliver.
- A win for you: Whether you’re engaging us for your events, already fostering a career at Strata, or considering one, our goal is to create a win for you. We’re dedicated to providing our employees with an enriching workplace that supports their growth and well-being. For our clients, a win means achieving your objectives and making your brand shine.
- A win for the planet: We are committed to making environmentally responsible choices in our work. We recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the planet and contribute to a sustainable future. From eco-friendly event practices to conscious resource management, we aim to create events that are a win for the environment.
Diversity at Strata
Financial Controller - 6 month Fixed Term Contract employer: Strata
Strata is an exceptional employer that fosters a dynamic and collaborative work culture in the heart of London. With a strong emphasis on employee growth, we offer numerous opportunities for professional development and career advancement, ensuring that our team members thrive in their roles. Our commitment to delivering outstanding brand experiences is matched by our dedication to maintaining a supportive environment where creativity and innovation are encouraged.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller - 6 month Fixed Term Contract
✨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 Strata.
✨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 Strata 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 - 6 month Fixed Term Contract
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 Strata 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 Strata. 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 Strata confidence in your short-term commitment to the role.
How to prepare for a job interview at Strata
✨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 Strata.
✨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 Strata 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.
