Financial Controller – Colworth Operations & Financial Controls in London

Financial Controller – Colworth Operations & Financial Controls in London

London Full-Time 55000 - 65000 £ / year (est.) Home office (partial)
T

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Lead financial controlling activities and support operational finance processes.
  • Company: Join the world's largest ice cream company with iconic brands like Ben & Jerry's.
  • Benefits: Enjoy competitive pay, flexible working, and ongoing learning opportunities.
  • Other info: Diverse and inclusive workplace committed to your growth.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact in a collaborative environment while enjoying ice cream perks.
  • Qualifications: Experience in financial roles and strong analytical skills required.

The predicted salary is between 55000 - 65000 £ per year.

  • Job Title
  • Finance Controller
  • Scope
  • Financial Controller – Colworth operations & Financial Controls
  • Location
  • Kingston and Colworth campus including Flexible working
  • Overview

With 19,000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands such as Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, we are the world’s largest pure‑play ice cream company, operating in 76 countries.

We focus on creating iconic brands and bring moments of joy to millions worldwide, while maintaining an innovative, data‑driven, collaborative culture.

Responsibilities

  • Lead and support day‑to‑day and month‑end financial controlling activities, including:
  • Preparation and submission of journals and month‑end accounting entries
  • Management of accruals and support for period‑end close activities
  • Maintenance of cross‑charge information and allocations
  • Resolution of finance and accounting queries from stakeholders
  • Production of reports and analysis to support business decision‑making
  • Support for purchase order creation, invoice management and payment‑related queries
  • Assistance to Finance Business Partners and site operational teams with budgeting and financial administration

• Fixed Asset Management

  • Manage fixed asset requests, additions, transfers, and disposals
  • Support capital expenditure (Capex) approvals and tracking
  • Ensure assets are appropriately capitalised and recorded
  • Maintain fixed asset records and asset tagging processes
  • Perform periodic asset verification activities
  • Support lease accounting and fixed asset reporting requirements

• Operational Finance Support

  • Support site operations with routine finance processes and controls
  • Coordinate sundry and intercompany invoicing activities
  • Manage finance administration requests and queries
  • Support banking, reporting and reconciliations as required
  • Act as a key point of contact between operational teams and Finance

• Financial Controls & Audit Readiness

  • Coordinate activities to support the company’s financial control framework
  • Work with control owners to ensure controls are completed on time and appropriately documented
  • Review the quality and completeness of control evidence before submission
  • Maintain accurate records of control activities and supporting documentation
  • Coordinate submissions within Audit Board and other governance tools, ensuring deadlines are met
  • Track outstanding actions, control deficiencies and remediation plans through to completion
  • Support internal and external audit requests, ensuring information is provided accurately and on time
  • Help embed a strong controls culture by providing guidance and coaching on documentation and evidence expectations
  • Drive continuous improvement in financial governance, compliance and control effectiveness

• Balance Sheet Control Support (Cover Responsibilities)

  • Review pricing and promotional changes to ensure supporting documentation is available
  • Support rebate and commercial accrual reviews
  • Assist with periodic balance sheet reviews and reconciliations
  • Support claims management processes and ensure appropriate approvals and documentation are maintained
  • Monitor aged balances and help coordinate timely resolution of outstanding items
  • Maintain governance over pricing files and discount structures where required
  • Key Metrics / KPIs
  • Accurate and timely balance sheet reconciliations and reviews
  • Effective management of aged balances and claims resolution
  • Strong compliance with the Magnum Financial Control Framework
  • Robust audit evidence and documentation supporting all key controls
  • Successful embedding and stabilisation of new claims management tools and processes
  • Accurate maintenance and governance of price files, discounts, and rebate programmes
  • Positive audit outcomes with minimal control deficiencies
  • Strong partnership with Retail and Out of Home commercial teams
  • Required Skills & Experience
  • Experience in a Financial Controller, Management Accountant, Financial Accounting, Controlling or Audit role
  • Strong understanding of month‑end close processes, journal preparation, accruals, reconciliations and financial reporting
  • Experience managing and improving financial controls within a corporate environment
  • Experience supporting internal and external audits, including preparing audit evidence and responding to auditor requests
  • Experience working with fixed assets, capital expenditure accounting and balance sheet reconciliations
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a fast‑paced environment
  • Experience partnering with operational and non‑finance stakeholders to resolve issues and improve processes
  • Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills with excellent attention to detail

Desirable Experience

  • Experience within FMCG, manufacturing, supply chain or shared service environments
  • Experience supporting governance, risk and compliance frameworks
  • Knowledge of pricing, rebates, promotional accounting or claims management processes
  • Technical Skills
  • Strong understanding of financial accounting principles and internal controls
  • Ability to analyse financial data and identify risks, trends and improvement opportunities
  • Proficiency in SAP or similar ERP systems
  • Ability to prepare clear and accurate financial documentation and supporting audit evidence

Qualifications

  • Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) preferred
  • Part‑qualified candidates with relevant financial controlling or audit experience will also be considered
  • Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline desirable
  • What You'll Get
  • Market‑competitive pay and performance related rewards
  • Flexible ways of working
  • Support for health, wellbeing and life outside of work
  • Time off to rest and recharge
  • Ongoing learning and development opportunities
  • Specific benefits vary by location
  • Additional Information

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.

Ready to build the future of Ice Cream?

If this sounds like the place where you'd thrive, we would love to hear from you.

Apply online and share your CV.

We’ll review your application and be in touch with the next steps.

If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please let your Talent Acquisition Partner know.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

T

Contact Details:

The Magnum Ice Cream Company Recruitment Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫

We think this is how you could land Financial Controller – Colworth Operations & Financial Controls in London

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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company. 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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company. 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 – Colworth Operations & Financial Controls in London

Financial Accounting
Month-End Close Processes
Journal Preparation
Accruals Management
Reconciliations
Financial Reporting
Financial Controls

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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company 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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company how you can be a team player!

How to prepare for a job interview at The Magnum Ice Cream Company

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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company.

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 The Magnum Ice Cream Company'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!