Job Description
Location: Hybrid – London Bridge (minimum 3 days per week in-office)
Salary & Package
£45,000 to £60,000 (based on experience)
* performance-based bonus
* standard pension
* share options
* BYOD allowance
* 25 days annual leave + 3 additional days at Christmas
* access to salary exchange schemes for pension, electric car and cycle to work team events and career development support
Role Overview
We’re looking for a hands-on, people-focused Financial Controller to join our E-commerce & Retail Finance-as-a-Service (FaaS) team. You’ll play a central role in client delivery, team management, and transformation projects — helping founders get real-time performance insight — from gross margins to fulfilment efficiency — while ensuring finance runs smoothly.
This role combines technical oversight, people development, and project execution — making it ideal for someone who thrives on variety and wants to step confidently into a future Portfolio FD and CFO position.
You’ll be seen as a manger in a pod of 10+ team members, drive process improvements, support client transitions, and elevate the quality of reporting and insight across a wide range of e-commerce & retail clients. You’ll be backed by cutting-edge tech and a commercially focused e-commerce sector team that wants you to succeed and grow with us.
Core Responsibilities
* Lead and develop a team of 10+, providing oversight, coaching, and support across e-commerce & retail clients
* Oversee accounting and reporting for online retail transactions, stock movements and payment reconciliations
* Manage and improve finance processes for new clients — map data flows from Shopify, Amazon or ERP systems into clean accounting structures
* Support the delivery of bespoke management information packs and dashboards; across typical e-commerce metrics: CAC, LTV, AOV, conversion, repeat rate, return rate, contribution margin
* Review close activities and working papers (e.g. reconciliations, VAT returns, prepayments, accruals, journals), with particular focus on stock & inventory management
* Review monthly and quarterly management accounts, including commentaries and insights
* Review year-end statutory accounts and corporation tax computations
* Take primary relationship ownership for less complex clients; support Portfolio CFOs on others
* Investigate and respond to technical accounting queries
* Work across cloud-based finance systems (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) and reporting tools
* Get stuck into ad hoc projects, non-routine queries, and internal process improvements — as part of an agile, fast-moving team
Must Have
* ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or equivalent)
* 1+ years post-qualified experience with exposure to e-commerce & retail businesses
* Proficiency in stock and margin accounting, understanding of the inter relation between stock, cost of sales & gross margin analysis
* Strong knowledge of bookkeeping, management accounts, consolidations, and month-end finance processes
* Experience preparing/reviewing accounts under UK GAAP and Companies Act requirements
* Strong Excel skills and experience with cloud accounting platforms (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage)
* Experience managing multiple stakeholders and juggling competing priorities
* Excellent attention to detail, time management, and process discipline
* A client-first mindset — always striving to add value and deliver better outcomes
* A proactive approach to questioning and improving how things are done
* Ambition to grow into a Portfolio CFO role within Ascendant
Nice to Have
* Experience leading a sector, pod, or multi-team structure
* Experience supporting client transitions and system migrations
* Demonstrable understanding of e-commerce & retail models: in particular returns, fulfilment, channel P&L
* Hands-on exposure to Shopify, Unleashed, Striped, Adyen, 3PL, ERP integrations or similar
* Prior experience leading a pod or mentoring junior team members
* Experience working in fast-paced, high-growth environments
Team Structure
* Reporting to: Sector Finance Director/CFO
* Team: Leads a team of 10+, including qualified and part-qualified staff
* Collaborating with: Portfolio CFOs, FDs, transition & transformation team, compliance and tax functions
About Ascendant
Ascendant is here to reboot what people expect from accountants. We combine smart systems, sharp thinking, and real relationships to help ambitious businesses move faster and make better decisions. Whether it’s compliance, R&D, or full finance-as-a-service, we deliver accounting and tax that’s strategic, scalable, and always on it.
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