At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead financial control activities and provide strategic financial guidance across the business.
- Company: Dynamic organisation focused on growth and collaboration.
- Benefits: Visible role with career development, collaborative environment, and a focus on continuous improvement.
- Other info: Join a team that values initiative, accountability, and smart thinking.
- Why this job: Shape business performance and drive meaningful improvements in a fast-paced setting.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in senior finance roles and strong communication skills.
Are you a commercially minded Financial Controller who enjoys being at the heart of a business, not hidden behind spreadsheets? We're looking for a hands-on, forward-thinking finance professional to join a growing and ambitious organisation where finance plays a central role in driving operational performance, strategic decision-making, and long-term growth. This is far more than a traditional reporting role. You'll act as a trusted business partner across the organisation, helping teams understand the financial impact of their decisions while strengthening controls, improving processes, and supporting sustainable commercial growth.
If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, enjoy influencing stakeholders, and want the opportunity to genuinely shape business performance, this could be the perfect next step.
The Opportunity
As Financial Controller, you'll take ownership of the finance function's day-to-day control and reporting activities while working closely with operational and leadership teams across the business. You'll combine technical excellence with commercial insight — turning financial data into meaningful guidance that helps the business make smarter, more informed decisions. This is a highly visible role where your ability to communicate, challenge constructively, and build strong relationships will be just as important as your technical expertise.
What You'll Be Doing
- Leading day-to-day financial control activities across the business
- Delivering accurate management reporting, variance analysis, and insightful commentary
- Maintaining strong balance sheet control and oversight of key reconciliations
- Supporting year-end reporting, statutory accounts preparation, and audit processes
- Partnering closely with operational teams and budget holders to provide practical financial guidance
- Helping non-finance stakeholders understand margins, cash flow, costs, and commercial performance
- Supporting budgeting, forecasting, and strategic financial planning
- Applying robust financial due diligence to new initiatives and growth opportunities
- Driving process improvement, financial governance, and operational efficiency
- Promoting a culture of accountability, financial awareness, and continuous improvement
- Supporting business performance through data-led decision-making and strategic insight
The Environment
This is an organisation that values people who are:
- Hungry to improve and grow
- Humble in their approach
- Smart in both thinking and communication
You'll join a collaborative, ambitious team environment where your ideas, insight, and contribution will genuinely matter.
Requirements
What We're Looking For
We're looking for someone who combines strong technical finance capability with commercial awareness, leadership skills, and a proactive mindset. You'll likely be:
- A fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
- Experienced within a Financial Controller or similar senior finance role
- Comfortable working closely with operational stakeholders across multiple departments
- Confident communicating financial information to non-finance colleagues
- Commercially curious with strong analytical and problem-solving skills
- Naturally organised, detail-focused, and process-driven
- Adaptable, resilient, and able to balance strategic thinking with hands-on delivery
- Motivated by improving processes, driving performance, and adding value
Benefits
- Highly visible and commercially influential role
- Opportunity to shape processes and drive meaningful improvement
- Collaborative leadership environment
- Growing business with ambitious plans
- Strategic involvement across finance and operations
- Strong culture focused on continuous improvement and accountability
- Long-term career development opportunities
If you're looking for a role where you can combine financial leadership with real commercial influence, and want to be part of a business that values initiative, collaboration, and strategic thinking, we'd love to hear from you.
Financial Controller in Peterborough employer: Universal Business Team
Join a dynamic and ambitious organisation in Peterborough as a Financial Controller, where your role will be pivotal in driving operational performance and strategic decision-making. With a strong focus on collaboration and continuous improvement, you'll have the opportunity to influence key business processes and contribute to long-term growth while enjoying a supportive work culture that values your insights and professional development.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller in Peterborough
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Get out there and connect with people in the finance industry. Attend events, join online forums, and don’t be shy about reaching out on LinkedIn. You never know who might have the inside scoop on a Financial Controller role!
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for those interviews by brushing up on your commercial awareness. Be ready to discuss how financial decisions impact business performance. Show them you’re not just about numbers but also about driving growth and efficiency.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! As a Financial Controller, you’ll need to explain complex financial concepts to non-finance folks. Role-play with a friend or use mock interviews to get comfortable with this.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! We love seeing candidates who are genuinely interested in joining us. Tailor your application to highlight your leadership skills and commercial insight – that’s what we’re all about!
We think you need these skills to ace Financial Controller in Peterborough
Some tips for your application 🫡
Show Your Personality:When writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to express your passion for finance and how it drives you. Remember, we’re looking for someone who’s not just technically skilled but also a great fit for our collaborative culture.
Tailor Your Application:Make sure to tailor your application to the Financial Controller role. Highlight your experience in financial control and how you've influenced business decisions in the past. We love seeing specific examples that demonstrate your commercial awareness and leadership skills!
Be Clear and Concise:Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language to explain your achievements and how they relate to the role. We appreciate well-structured applications that make it easy for us to see your qualifications and potential impact on our team.
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered for the role. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our ambitious team at StudySmarter!
How to prepare for a job interview at Universal Business Team
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Financial Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your technical expertise. Brush up on key financial metrics and be ready to discuss how you've used data to influence business decisions in the past. This shows you're not just about the numbers but also about their impact.
✨Showcase Your Commercial Insight
Prepare examples of how you've partnered with operational teams to drive performance. Highlight specific instances where your financial guidance led to improved processes or strategic decisions. This will illustrate your ability to translate finance into actionable insights.
✨Communicate Clearly
Since you'll be working closely with non-finance stakeholders, practice explaining complex financial concepts in simple terms. Use relatable examples to show how financial decisions affect the wider business. This will demonstrate your communication skills and ability to build relationships.
✨Emphasise Continuous Improvement
Be ready to discuss how you've driven process improvements in previous roles. Share specific strategies you've implemented that enhanced efficiency or accountability. This aligns perfectly with the company's culture of continuous improvement and shows you're proactive.
