Financial Controller

Location: London and Kent Reports to: Financial Director Direct Reports: Managing a team of 10, with 4 direct reports

About the Group

The world is obsessed by small start-ups or the largest corporates. Most UK media agencies are built to serve the top 100 spending clients, and there are a multitude of boutique agencies to serve those starting out in business. The Specialist Works is different. We are built exclusively for marketers at entrepreneurial brands. Businesses that are past the messy start-up stage but are worlds away from the slow-paced nature of large corporates. Our clients span large privately owned businesses (often PE backed, founder-led or both) and small to mid-cap public enterprises. They are fighting larger, more established competitors and know they need to think and behave differently to win. They don't conform to category norms. Since they can't out-spend their competition, disruption is the safest move they can make. The marketers leading these brands are innovative, resourceful, moving at pace and in all-out growth mode. They're powerful; redefining categories, overtaking and acquiring traditional businesses and changing consumer behaviour along with it. Our clients share three common yet exciting challenges which define everything we do as an agency: Consumer - customer acquisition is key to their success Company - they are highly ambitious and built lean Category - they are often outspent by their competitors, need to outmanoeuvre the competition and are passionate about disrupting an established category

Role Overview

As the Financial Controller , you will take full ownership of the day-to-day financial operations of our growing group. You will lead the finance team, ensure robust financial controls, and drive efficiencies across our financial processes. Reporting to the GFD, you'll be responsible for ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial reports, managing compliance, and supporting strategic decision-making across the group. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment where your leadership will shape the financial future of our media and marketing businesses.

The Opportunity

This is a pivotal leadership role within the Finance function working as number 2 to the Group Finance Director. As Financial Controller, you will be responsible for the integrity of the Group's financial reporting, control environment, compliance framework and day-to-day finance operations. You will lead the finance team, drive process improvement and ensure robust financial management across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

Key Responsibilities

• Financial Control & Reporting Own the month-end and year-end close processes across all Group entities. Lead Group consolidation and consolidated management reporting. Prepare Board reporting packs and statutory accounts. Ensure compliance with UK GAAP and consistent accounting policies across the Group.
• Financial Planning & Analysis Lead budgeting, forecasting and long-range planning. Provide modelling and scenario analysis for decision-making.
• Cash Flow & Treasury Management Oversee Group cash flow forecasting and working capital management. Assist the FD with managing the day to day banking relationships., treasury activities and liquidity planning. Support financing activities and covenant reporting.
• Governance, Risk & Compliance Maintain a strong financial control framework. Manage audits, tax and VAT compliance. (Internal and External). Monitor lender reporting and financial risk management.
• Agency Finance & Commercial Performance Oversee agency revenue recognition and WIP controls. Support margin improvement and commercial performance.
• International Operations Support oversight of UK, Irish and US operations. Coordinate intercompany accounting and cross-border reporting.
• Finance Systems & Transformation Lead finance transformation and automation initiatives, including the use of AI. Act as finance lead on systems implementation and optimisation projects.
• Team Leadership Lead, coach and develop a high-performing finance team.
• Business Partnering Act as a trusted adviser to senior leadership. Prepare business cases and investment appraisals.

About You

• You are a strong leader-manager, with a track record of building high-performing teams.
• Fully qualified ACA, ACCA or CIMA preferred.
• Significant experience as a Financial Controller, Group Financial Controller or Senior Finance Manager. (5+ years in a similar position).
• Strong technical accounting, reporting and audit expertise.
• Experience of Group consolidations and multi-entity reporting.
• Media, advertising, marketing services or professional services experience desirable.
• Track record of delivering process improvement and finance transformation initiatives.
• Working Pattern Hybrid working with a minimum of three days per week in the office. Regular travel between London and Kent offices. Occasional travel to other Group locations or industry events.
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