About The Role
The Controller role sits at the heart of the Financial Controllership function, owning the integrity, accuracy and compliance of group financial reporting. The role provides the first line of rigorous review and challenge across the monthly and annual reporting cycle, maintaining strong financial controls, co-ordinating audit processes and providing specialist technical accounting oversight across complex areas. It acts as the primary control point and risk identifier across the balance sheet and reporting cycle, working collaboratively with Finance Operations, Commercial Finance and the External Reporting team. The role reports to the Finance Director.
Role Delivery
* Provide independent, evidence-based review of monthly and annual group reporting outputs, ensuring submissions are technically compliant, fully supported and free from material misstatement.
* Embed the existing Control Self-Assessment (CRSA) process; perform periodic testing of key controls and track remediation of any deficiencies identified.
* Own the balance sheet review framework, including risk-based account prioritisation and a structured deep dive programme; identify risks early and drive timely resolution.
* Develop and maintain a financial risk register covering reporting risks, control weaknesses and compliance exposures; provide regular reporting to Finance Director and CFO / Finance Leadership.
* Act as the central co-ordination point for external audit fieldwork, ensuring timely and high-quality responses and supporting External Reporting in delivering statutory accounts and audit completion.
* Provide review and challenge on complex accounting areas including revenue recognition, lease accounting (IFRS 16), provisions, estimates and tax-sensitive areas, ensuring positions are technically robust and audit-ready.
Responsibilities
This role will include a variety of tasks including the following:
* Preparation and review of monthly controlling reports and IFRS packs for group submission, including completion of all relevant disclosure note requirements.
* Act as the primary quality control layer across the reporting cycle through Challenging significant judgements, estimates and non-routine transactions.
* Ensure controls are clearly documented, embedded into processes and operating consistently across all entities.
* Own the balance sheet review framework, including risk-based account prioritisation and a structured deep dive programme.
* Perform independent review of high-risk balances and complex or judgemental areas.
* Define and maintain key financial controls, control owners (across Finance Operations and Commercial Finance) and preventative vs detective controls.
* Support External Reporting in delivering statutory accounts and audit completion.
* Stabilise indirect tax processes (VAT & CIS) through process review and preparation then transition these areas to junior members in the team.
* Act as the primary interface with Internal Audit (where applicable).
* Ensure risks are identified early, clear ownership exists for resolution, and issues are escalated appropriately.
* Develop and maintain a financial risk register covering reporting risks, control weaknesses and compliance exposures, ensuring risks are clearly articulated, quantified where possible, and actively managed and tracked.
* Provide review and challenge on complex accounting areas, including revenue recognition, lease accounting (IFRS 16), provisions and estimates, and tax-sensitive areas.
* Ensure positions are technically robust and documentation is audit-ready
Qualifications
* Fully qualified chartered accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent).
* Experience with ERP environments (e.g. SAP, Navision, InforBI) and reporting tools; experience supporting or operating through ERP migrations is an advantage.
* Strong working knowledge of IFRS, with experience reviewing complex accounting areas and judgements.
* Experience in a group reporting function within a scaling or M&A-active organisation.
* Experience operating within a financial controls framework. Understanding of control design, documentation and testing.
* Understanding of the statutory audit process and financial statements preparation under IFRS.