At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead the finance team, ensuring compliance and delivering high-quality financial reporting.
- Company: Join a global leader in financial services with a strong focus on innovation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive pension scheme, healthcare, and generous holiday allowance.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth and access to wellness programmes.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a dynamic environment while developing your leadership skills.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with experience in financial control and team management.
The predicted salary is between 60000 - 70000 £ per year.
As the Financial Controller, you will be responsible for leading the Accounting and Tax function across the UK and Ireland, ensuring full compliance with local GAAP, IFRS, Volvo Group standards and all regulatory requirements. This role reports directly to the CFO and is positioned as the natural successor, with accountability for driving a strong internal control environment, delivering high-quality and timely financial reporting, while leading continuous improvement and transformation across the finance function.
You will fully own and oversee statutory reporting, group and local period-end close, balance-sheet integrity, tax reporting and compliance, and the financial control environment, while acting as a key partner to Capital Markets and Business Control to optimise funding, cash-flow and financial performance.
Responsibilities
- Own and maintain an effective control environment, including the delivery of accurate balance-sheet reconciliations with full ownership and resolution of issues.
- Provide financial insight to Business Control to support forecasting, planning and performance analysis.
- Own and deliver accurate and timely financial reporting to key stakeholders.
- Embed and strengthen internal controls across all finance processes, ensuring audit readiness at all times.
- Lead external audit engagements and manage the delivery of the annual audit and statutory accounts process.
- Build capability across finance teams through coaching, development and adoption of digital tools.
- Be an advocate for best in class, single-source data through the adoption of Power BI, Power Automate and broader existing and emerging data and automation tools to improve reporting quality and efficiency.
- Promote a culture of timely, high-quality delivery with a proactive no surprises mindset across the finance function.
Qualifications
- Senior finance leader with gravitas, deep technical expertise and a proven track record of delivering high-quality financial control, reporting and tax compliance in a complex global organisation.
- Financial Controller or operating at a similar level in a senior finance role.
- Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
- Strong experience in financial control, group reporting, statutory reporting and balance-sheet management.
- Knowledge of IFRS, local GAAP and tax compliance, including the UK and ideally Ireland.
- Experience working within captive financial services, leasing or commercial vehicle financial services businesses is highly advantageous.
- Inspirational financial leader with proven experience of managing, transforming and developing finance teams in a complex organisation.
- Strong understanding of corporate tax, VAT and financial compliance frameworks.
- Experience working with auditors, regulators and senior stakeholders in a financial services or similarly complex environment.
Benefits
- Pension scheme: matched up to 10% of salary, with incremental benefits based on length of service, including death in service cover.
- Healthcare: access to Bupa Cover and Dental insurance.
- Company Car: choice between an Electric or Hybrid car.
- Employee Assistance Programme: wellness, mindfulness and counselling services.
- Holiday Allowance: 25 days plus Bank Holidays, increasing with service, with option to buy up to 5 additional days.
- Maternity and Paternity leave: maternity leave (6 months full pay, 6 months half pay) and 5 weeks of paternity leave, with 3 weeks flexible to take at any point.
- Discounts: savings on shopping vouchers, cinema tickets.
- Fitness perks: access to MyGymDiscounts and MyActiveDiscounts, on-site gym.
Financial Controller employer: Volvo Group
As a leading employer in the financial services sector, our company offers an exceptional work environment for the Financial Controller role, characterised by a strong commitment to employee development and a culture of continuous improvement. With competitive benefits including a generous pension scheme, comprehensive healthcare coverage, and flexible leave options, we prioritise the well-being of our employees while fostering a collaborative atmosphere that encourages innovation and professional growth. Located in the UK and Ireland, this position not only provides a pathway to leadership but also the opportunity to make a significant impact within a complex global organisation.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Financial Controller
✨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 Volvo Group. 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 Volvo Group.
✨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 Volvo Group. 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
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 Volvo Group 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 Volvo Group how you can be a team player!
How to prepare for a job interview at Volvo Group
✨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 Volvo Group.
✨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 Volvo Group'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!
