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- Tasks: Lead financial reporting and control across the group, ensuring accuracy and compliance.
- Company: Join a leading accountancy firm with a focus on hospitality clients and collaborative culture.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and a dynamic work environment.
- Why this job: Make a significant impact in finance while working with diverse clients and teams.
- Qualifications: Qualified accountant with 12+ years in senior finance roles and strong technical knowledge.
- Other info: Opportunity for career growth in a fast-paced, multi-site business environment.
The predicted salary is between 48000 - 72000 £ per year.
The Group Finance Controller (Group FC) is the senior operational and technical finance lead across the Group. The role ensures accurate, timely, and consistent financial reporting, robust financial control, and strong compliance across all departments and client portfolios. The Group FC provides oversight, challenge, and strategic direction to Senior Financial Controllers, ensuring departmental P&Ls, client delivery, systems usage, and reporting outputs align with firm standards, the WS Way, and the Director of Accounts strategic objectives. This role focuses on group-wide governance, systems ownership (NetSuite and Xero), risk management, and performance leadership, rather than day-to-day client execution.
Key Responsibilities
- Group Financial Control & Reporting
- Own and oversee the group month-end close process
- Review and sign off: Profit & Loss, Balance Sheet, Cashflow reporting
- Ensure consistency and accuracy of financial reporting across all departments and client portfolios
- Lead group consolidations, including intercompany reconciliations and eliminations
- Maintain high standards of balance sheet integrity, including: accruals, prepayments, provisions, control accounts and reconciliations
- Statutory, Audit & Compliance Oversight
- Lead preparation and oversight of statutory accounts across group entities
- Own the year-end audit process, managing external auditors and internal readiness
- Ensure compliance with Local GAAP / IFRS (as applicable), Corporation tax, VAT, and statutory filings
- Act as escalation point for complex accounting judgements and compliance risks
- Support the Director of Accounts on audit strategy, tax planning, and regulatory matters
- Systems Ownership NetSuite & Xero
- Act as group-level owner of finance systems, including NetSuite (multi-entity structures, consolidations, approvals, reporting, controls) and Xero (multi-company environments, integrations, reporting frameworks)
- Set and enforce system standards, controls, and best practice
- Drive automation, standardisation, and process improvement across teams
- Support system implementations, migrations, and upgrades
- Ensure data integrity, audit-ready outputs, and strong approval frameworks
- Leadership & People Management
- Lead and develop Senior Financial Controllers, ensuring clear ownership of departmental P&Ls, strong client delivery and team morale
- Ensure consistent adherence to timelines and deadlines
- Provide coaching, challenge, and mentorship to senior finance leaders
- Support performance management, succession planning, and leadership development
- Embed and champion the WS Way across all finance teams
- Strategy, Risk & Performance
- Translate Director of Accounts strategy into clear operational frameworks
- Oversee financial risk management across departments and client portfolios
- Review budgets, forecasts, and variance analysis
- Monitor performance against KPIs and refine them to drive excellence
- Act as senior escalation point for: delivery risk, client issues, systems or reporting failures
- Stakeholder & Client Management
- Act as a senior finance contact for internal leadership and key clients
- Support Senior FCs in complex client matters and escalations
- Build trusted advisor relationships with stakeholders
- Contribute to business growth, client retention, and service excellence
Essential Skills & Experience
- Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
- 12+ years relevant experience in a senior finance role
- Proven experience in group financial control and consolidations
- Leading senior finance teams
- Statutory accounts and audit management
- Strong technical accounting and compliance knowledge
- Advanced experience with NetSuite and/or Xero
- Confident senior stakeholder and client communicator
Desirable
- Experience in an accounting firm or outsourced finance environment
- Hospitality, retail, or multi-site business exposure
- Systems implementation or automation leadership
- Experience operating in fast-growth or complex group structures
What Good Looks Like
- High-quality, on-time, and audit-ready group reporting
- Senior FCs operating with confidence, clarity, and accountability
- Strong grip on timelines, deadlines, and delivery risk
- Consistent processes, controls, and systems usage across the group
- Clear, effective communication at all levels
- Sound judgement on complex accounting and compliance matters
- Successful automation and systems optimisation
- Strong talent development and succession planning
- High client satisfaction and trusted advisor status
- KPIs consistently met, reviewed, and elevated
- Visible ownership and leadership aligned with the WS Way
Company Overview
Williams, Stanley & Co is a leading accountancy firm catering to a diverse range of clients in the hospitality industry, from high street chains to family-run cafes. Our company began with a mission to provide accurate and actionable financial insights to businesses, drawing from our founders' own experiences in managing multiple rapidly growing ventures. Driven by a commitment to customer-first accounting, we have assembled a team of experienced and trusted accountants who share our vision for excellence. With a strong emphasis on collaboration and expertise, our team operates seamlessly across different locations, including the UK, US, Philippines, and Dubai.
Group Senior Finance Controller (Maternity Cover) in London employer: Williams Stanley and Co
Contact Detail:
Williams Stanley and Co Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Group Senior Finance Controller (Maternity Cover) in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the finance world, especially those who might know about opportunities at Williams, Stanley & Co. A friendly chat can sometimes lead to a foot in the door.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your technical knowledge and understanding of financial systems like NetSuite and Xero. We want to see you shine when discussing your experience with group financial control and compliance!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your leadership skills! Be ready to discuss how you've developed teams and managed senior finance professionals. We love candidates who can inspire and drive performance across departments.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who align with our mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Group Senior Finance Controller (Maternity Cover) in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV reflects the skills and experience mentioned in the job description. Highlight your qualifications, especially your experience with financial reporting and systems like NetSuite and Xero. We want to see how you align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're the perfect fit for the Group Senior Finance Controller role. Share specific examples of your past achievements and how they relate to the responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Showcase Your Leadership Skills: Since this role involves leading senior finance teams, make sure to highlight your leadership experience. Talk about how you've developed teams, managed performance, and fostered a positive work environment. We love seeing strong leaders in action!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly 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 team at Williams, Stanley & Co!
How to prepare for a job interview at Williams Stanley and Co
✨Know Your Numbers
As a Group Senior Finance Controller, you'll need to demonstrate your expertise in financial reporting and control. Brush up on key financial metrics, P&L statements, and balance sheets. Be ready to discuss how you've ensured accuracy and compliance in previous roles.
✨Master the Systems
Familiarise yourself with NetSuite and Xero, as these are crucial for the role. If you have experience with these systems, prepare specific examples of how you've used them to drive automation and improve processes. If not, do some research to understand their functionalities.
✨Showcase Leadership Skills
This role involves leading senior finance teams, so be prepared to share your leadership philosophy. Think of examples where you've mentored others or improved team performance. Highlight your ability to manage timelines and deliver results under pressure.
✨Communicate Effectively
Strong communication is key in this position. Practice articulating complex financial concepts in a clear and concise manner. Be ready to discuss how you've built relationships with stakeholders and clients, and how you handle escalations in a professional way.
