Financial Controller in Bicester

Valda Energy is a dynamic and rapidly growing energy supplier based in Bicester, committed to driving business success through smart, reliable energy solutions. Established in 2019 by industry experts, we bring together a diverse combination of talent to foster continuous sustainable growth. We challenge the existing marketplace with our leading, tech-driven, and customer-focused approach. Our passion for innovation and dedication to exceptional service sets us apart. At Valda Energy, we live by our core values: communicate, collaborate, own it, embrace change, and put the customer first. We believe that our people are our greatest asset, and we are dedicated to fostering a supportive and evolving culture.

The Financial Controller will report to the CFO and play a key role in supporting strategic decision‑making as the business scales. You will lead the day‑to‑day management of Finance Operations and Financial Reporting, ensuring high standards across financial control, processes and systems. As part of the senior leadership team, you will work closely with departments across the business, building strong relationships and delivering a high‑quality finance service. This is a broad role suited to someone confident in technical finance, people leadership and driving continuous improvement.

The day-to-day responsibilities will involve:

• Reporting and Control: Lead all aspects of financial management, including presenting monthly and annual performance to the CFO and Executive Board, overseeing income, expenditure, cash management, receipting, payments, and the Purchase-to-Pay process, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance. Establish, maintain, and continuously improve financial reporting systems and internal controls that meet regulatory and legislative requirements, including VAT, Corporation Tax, and IFRS standards. Lead the group external audit process and ensure ownership of group and subsidiary accounting policies. Provide insightful analysis and reporting on business performance to support operational decision-making, maximise return on investment, and drive continual improvement of finance processes and systems, including optimising Microsoft Business Central and related system enhancements. Collaborate across the business to balance affordability, service, and risk, partnering with functions such as Operations to enhance customer payment and refund processes. Lead, develop, and mentor the finance team, fostering growth through coaching, constructive feedback, and the promotion of strong technical and regulatory expertise.
• General Accounting & Treasury: Lead payroll processing for monthly Sales and Non‑Sales cycles, working closely with payroll providers. Oversee accruals, prepayments and other key accounting entries to ensure timely and accurate month‑end close. Perform monthly P&L reviews and prepare associated balance sheet and revenue reconciliations. Manage all treasury activities, including cashflow oversight and bank covenant reporting. Partner with the Commercial Finance team to deliver commercial analysis, forecasting and Gross Profit performance reporting. Provide monthly commentary on working capital, revenue and cost of sales positions, using commercial insights to identify risks and make recommendations for effective revenue and cost of sales management.

The Spark we're Looking For:

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with up to date technical knowledge; ideally bringing both industry and practice experience.
• Proven experience leading a finance function within an SME, with the ability to attract, motivate and retain high performing talent.
• Strong process and controls mindset, with hands on experience implementing and operating key control frameworks.
• Highly comfortable analysing and interpreting complex financial data, including the ability to build and review financial models.
• Exceptional analytical and problem solving capability, able to deliver insightful analysis and constructively challenge thinking to support strategic decision making.
• Confident decision‑maker, demonstrating resilience, sound judgement and critical thinking, particularly through periods of change or ambiguity.
• Applies professional scepticism with confidence, showing curiosity, courage and a willingness to ask the right questions.
• Excellent communicator, able to build strong relationships and collaborate effectively with stakeholders at all levels.
• Continuous improvement mindset, with experience implementing new systems and processes to enhance efficiency and performance.

Perks that Power Your Journey:

• Annual salary of £75k to £85k per annum (DOE).
• Company annual bonus scheme.
• 25 days of annual leave plus bank holidays, a length of service award increasing up to 30 days, plus an extra day off during your birthday month.
• Private Medical Insurance with Vitality Health.
• Access to The Grid, our employee engagement and rewards platform, giving you exclusive discounts at hundreds of retailers, wellbeing resources, recognition tools, and more.
• Life Insurance policy, providing coverage at four times your salary.
• Employee Assistance Programme offering confidential support and guidance.
• Complimentary snacks, drinks, and lunch options in our office.
• Salary sacrifice pension scheme where we will match contributions up to 5%.
• In-house learning and development team devoted to nurturing your talent, unlocking potential and propelling you towards being your best.
• Refer a friend scheme (up to £500), monthly team events, annual company events & recognition awards.

If you like the sound of this role, we encourage you to apply even if you aren’t confident that you meet all of the requirements – you may be just who we’re looking for. We are extremely proud to be an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. To make your recruitment experience with us accessible to you, we encourage you to let us know if you have any individual requirements. We are here to support you, so please reach out to our team on joinus@valdaenergy.com.