The Role We are seeking a Part-time Financial Controller (3-4 days a week) who will be responsible for owning the entire finance function at Shephard, reporting directly to the COO. This is a hands-on role combining operational ownership, financial control, and commercial insight. The Financial Controller will review existing book-keeping provision and ensure the finance function runs smoothly day to day, while also providing clear, timely information to support decision-making and growth. The role is fully remote, with quarterly in-person company offsite meetings. About Shephard Group: Shephard Group is a leading provider of market intelligence and marketing solutions to the defence industry. Our clients are drawn from across the defence supply chain and include some of the largest defence companies in the world. The company has is now entering a period of substantial growth and the management team is looking to scale the business in the next three to five years with an eye towards a potential investment or exit. Why Join Shephard Group? Collaborative and values-driven work environment Opportunity to work in a growing and innovative company at the forefront of an important industry Professional growth opportunity to shape and lead a finance function in an entrepreneurial business Competitive salary and incentive structure What we are looking for This role is perfect for someone who is comfortable being the sole finance lead, able to move between detail and strategy, and keen to shape how finance supports the wider business. The ideal candidate has experience of subscriptions businesses, can be hands-on and detail-oriented, but commercially minded; can communicate clearly with non-finance colleagues; is pragmatic and solutions-focused and can think beyond pure accounting compliance. Core responsibilities 1. Ownership of the finance function The Financial Controller will have full responsibility for finance across the business. This includes: Acting as the primary finance lead and first point of contact Owning finance activity end to end, without reliance on other internal finance roles Ensuring finance issues are identified, understood, and resolved Setting priorities within the finance function Ensuring the COO is supported, not burdened, by finance The expectation is that finance operates reliably and predictably, with minimal escalation required. 2. Bank reconciliations, cash oversight and visibility 3. Rolling 13-week cashflow forecast 4. Accounts payable and receivable (AP/AR): fully supervise existing AP and AR processes, and review the existing outsourced provision. 5. Payroll ownership 6. Month-end close and management reporting 7. Financial control, policies and risk 8. System, process improvement and projects Experience and background Qualified accountant (or equivalent experience) Strong operational and technical accounting background Experience owning a finance function as a sole or senior lead Experience producing management accounts Strong cashflow and forecasting experience Experience with accounting systems (Xero preferred) Exposure to systems implementation or process improvement projects What success looks like Finance operates smoothly with minimal escalation Cash position and forecasts are accurate and trusted Payroll runs reliably with no surprises Month-end is predictable and timely The COO spends significantly less time in finance detail Finance is seen as a proactive, value-adding function What We Offer : 25 days annual leave Work from home Laptop, phone and home office equipment if needed Workplace pension plan Contributory Private medical insurance Life cover Employee assistance programme Maternity and Paternity leave Armed forces leave Shephard Group Values : At Shephard Group, we are guided by our core values: A Desire to Excel: We are committed to delivering the highest standards in everything we do Challenging the Status Quo: We constantly seek opportunities to innovate and improve by questioning established practices Treating Our Colleagues and Customers with Integrity: We foster trust and respect through honesty and ethical behaviour Seeking Creative Solutions: We approach problems with creativity, aiming to find more effective and forward-thinking solutions Apply Now If you are interested in this role and believe your experience aligns with what we are looking for, we would welcome your application. Please submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation Shephard Group is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all.