Financial Controller

We are excited to welcome a dynamic and technically proficient Financial Controller (FC) to lead and elevate financial reporting, controls, and governance within the Zip finance function. This newly created role emerges in response to heightened governance demands and global control requirements, aimed at driving financial precision and fostering ongoing improvement. Joining a high-performing finance team, the FC will play a pivotal role in continuing to strive for best-in-class performance.

As our Financial Controller, you'll play a key role in building a solid “engine room” by taking full charge of month-end accuracy, managing the balance sheet, handling audits and statutory reporting, and creating a strong, multi-layered approval and governance framework. Crucially, this position will spearhead the transformation of the finance function from a manual, approval-centric process to a scalable, well-controlled, IPO-ready finance environment, ensuring clear accountability for reporting discipline and control architecture.

• Financial Control & Reporting

• Own month-end close integrity, ensuring disciplined, timely, and accurate reporting.
• Establish and enforce a structured month-end cadence aligned to Group deadlines.
• Take full ownership of the balance sheet reconciliation framework, including review, sign-off hierarchy, and quality standards.
• Ensure consistency and accuracy across all financial reporting outputs.

• Own and continuously improve the financial control environment.
• Develop and maintain accounting policies, governance documentation, and control frameworks.
• Ensure audit readiness at all times, with no reliance on reactive escalation.
• Act as primary lead for external audit and statutory accounts delivery.

• Responsibility for invoices, POs, discounts, credit limits, refunds, credit notes, Supply chain finance approvals.
• Improve workflow efficiency within systems (e.g. Salesforce/CRM and ERP).
• Transition from temporary/delegated approval solutions to a sustainable operating model.

• Take direct ownership of Management Accounts / FPA (“Team”).
• Build technical capability and confidence within the team.
• Create a clear succession and development pathway for the Team.

• Own delivery of statutory accounts and audit process end-to-end.
• Act as key contact for auditors and technical accounting queries.
• Ensure timely, structured, and well-prepared audit responses.

• Oversee core financial processes including journal reviews, accruals, prepayments, balance sheet movements.
• Ensure strong linkage between transactional finance and reporting outputs.
• Drive consistency across accounting treatment and application.

• Enable the FD to step away from transactional oversight and approvals.
• Support development of unified reporting framework (statutory, management, forecasting), enhanced forecasting capability and improved working capital visibility.
• Contribute to long-term finance function evolution aligned to growth and potential IPO readiness.

Requirements

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified (or equivalent) essential. 5 years + PQE.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance leader.
• Strong background in audit (external or internal) - Preferred.
• Deep experience in financial reporting, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Experience managing end-to-end month-end processes in a structured environment.
• Demonstrated ability to redesign processes and implement control improvements.
• Excellent technical accounting knowledge and attention to detail.
• Strong leadership and team management skills.
• Proficient in accounting software and MS Excel.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Problem-solving mindset with a focus on continuous improvement.

Benefits

• 25 days annual leave + bank holidays.
• Company Sick Pay (after qualifying period).
• Holiday purchase scheme.
• Cycle to Work scheme available.
• A market leading company pension.
• Life insurance.
• Employee rewards and discounts through Perks at Work.
• Option to join Health Care Cash Plan.
• 24/7 365-day access to Employee Assistance Programme through Health Assured.
• Well-being programs – your well-being is important to us.
• Access to on-going learning and development with our online learning platform.
• You would be joining a fun, colleague focused environment, where you are acknowledged and awarded for hard work.