Job Title: Financial Controller
Location: Hybrid (3-4 days per week in the office), London
Reporting to: Head of Finance
About the Company
A high-growth Private Equity Real Estate (PE Real Estate) business is seeking a hands-on Financial Controller to join its early-stage, dynamic team. Backed by private equity, the company is scaling rapidly and building out its finance function to support the next phase of growth. This opportunity is ideal for a detail-oriented, qualified accountant who thrives in a fast-paced environment and is motivated to build strong financial processes from the ground up.
Role Overview
The Financial Controller (FC) will have full ownership of the financial and management reporting processes, and work closely with a Virtual Finance Office (VFO). You will lead on compliance, systems, controls, and reporting standards, while playing a critical role in supporting the Head of Finance and providing insight to high-profile stakeholders, including investors and operational leaders.
Key Responsibilities
1. Period-End Reporting
Deliver accurate and timely monthly financial and management reports (including legal entity and profit centre reporting).
Prepare board packs for senior leadership.
Liaise with outsourced VFO and ensure high-quality period-end close.
Coordinate quarterly consolidation and reporting to PE fund accountants and deliver debt covenant reports.
2. Financial Control
Maintain 'audit-ready' financial records at all times.
Ensure ledgers are fully reconciled and compliant with internal policies.
Manage intercompany transactions, accruals, and supporting documentation.
3. Compliance
Assist the Head of Finance in ensuring compliance with:
FRS 102 financial reporting standards.
Tax obligations: Corporation Tax, VAT, IR35, PSA, CIS.
Other regulatory disclosures and obligations.
4. Transactional Oversight
Oversee transactional finance supported by the VFO:
Approve and review invoices via ApprovalMax.
Validate payment runs.
Monitor AR, tenant deposits, credit control, and tenant refunds.
Reconcile monthly revenue between systems.
Support with tenant invoicing and query resolution.
5. Tax & Statutory Reporting
Support tax compliance and submissions (e.g., LOCTAX).
Assist in the preparation of consolidated and entity-level statutory accounts.
6. Budgeting & Forecasting
Partner with the Head of Finance to deliver annual budgets and reforecasts across divisions, capex, and consolidated positions.
7. Business Partnering
Provide operational teams with budget tracking, variance analysis, and commercial insight.
Support contract reviews and approvals.
8. Internal Controls
Build and document internal controls and standard operating procedures.
Ensure clear approval and delegation of authority frameworks.
9. External Stakeholder Management
Liaise with:
External auditors (including fund auditors)
VFO service providers
Private equity fund finance teams
Group structure and consolidation accountants
10. General and Ad-Hoc
Undertake additional responsibilities and tasks as required by the Head of Finance.
Ensure compliance with company policies, particularly in relation to Health & Safety and confidentiality.
Person Specification
Qualifications
ACA, ACCA, CIMA qualified (or international equivalent).
Experience
Real estate sector experience and/or working in a PE-backed/start-up environment preferred.
Experience working with auditors or in an audit environment.
Strong track record in financial controls, reporting, budgeting, and forecasting.
Skills and Competencies
Highly proactive and detail-oriented.
Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
Confident working independently and managing stakeholders.
Comfortable in a fast-paced, scaling environment.
Technically competent with systems and cloud-based platforms.
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