Financial Controller

Job summary
Permanent contract
United Kingdom
Salary: Not specified
Experience: > 5 years
Skills & expertise
Financial reporting
Continuous improvement
Leadership
Operational efficiency
Regulatory compliance
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Monese
Monese

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Questions and answers about the job

The position

Job description

  • We’re looking for an exceptional Financial Controller to lead Monese’s financial accounting, control and reporting function
  • Reporting directly to the CFO, you’ll have end-to-end accountability for the integrity of our financial reporting, the effectiveness of our financial controls and the consistent delivery of critical finance deadlines
  • This is a senior leadership role requiring strong technical expertise, exceptional execution and a relentless focus on delivery. You’ll be responsible for ensuring that month-end close, statutory accounts, regulatory financial reporting and audit processes are completed accurately, efficiently and on time
  • You’ll lead and develop the financial control team, establish clear standards of accountability and continuously improve how the function operates
  • We’re looking for someone who combines the technical rigour of a seasoned financial controller with the pace, ownership and problem-solving mindset of a high-growth fintech
  • You won’t simply oversee the numbers. You’ll take full ownership of delivering them
  • Financial close and reporting excellence
  • Take full accountability for the timely, accurate and efficient delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual financial close and reporting
  • Establish and consistently deliver against a disciplined month-end close timetable, with clear ownership, deadlines and escalation procedures across the finance team
  • Drive continuous improvement in close timelines, reporting quality and financial processes, with a clear ambition to achieve a best-in-class financial close
  • Ensure the integrity, completeness and reliability of the financial statements, general ledger and balance sheet
  • Deliver high-quality financial reporting to the CFO and other key stakeholders, with clear explanations of material movements, accounting judgements and financial risks
  • Anticipate and proactively resolve issues that could impact reporting accuracy or deadlines, ensuring there are no avoidable surprises
  • Build a culture where financial reporting commitments are consistently met and delivery against deadlines is non-negotiable
  • Financial governance and control
  • Own and continuously strengthen the Groups financial control framework, ensuring it is robust, proportionate and appropriate for a regulated fintech
  • Maintain clear accountability for balance sheet integrity, accounting policies and key financial controls
  • Identify, assess and address financial reporting risks, ensuring control weaknesses are remediated promptly and effectively
  • Provide leadership and technical oversight on complex accounting matters, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards
  • Establish a strong control culture across the finance function, balancing regulatory discipline with operational efficiency
  • Ensure financial control processes remain effective as the business, its systems and transaction volumes evolve
  • Statutory, regulatory and audit delivery
  • Take full ownership of the timely and accurate delivery of statutory financial statements and finance-owned regulatory financial reporting
  • Lead the annual external audit from planning through to completion, ensuring an efficient, well-managed process and delivery against agreed deadlines
  • Maintain a high standard of audit readiness throughout the year, rather than relying on intensive year-end remediation
  • Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, statutory reporting obligations and applicable financial regulatory requirements
  • Oversee the effective management of tax compliance and external advisers
  • Act as the senior point of accountability for financial accounting, audit and reporting matters
  • Finance transformation and operational excellence
  • Lead the development of a high-performing, efficient and scalable financial control function
  • Drive automation, systems improvements and process simplification to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy and accelerate reporting
  • Identify structural inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes
  • Establish clear performance measures across the function, including close timelines, reporting accuracy, control effectiveness and delivery against deadlines
  • Leverage technology, data and automation to improve the reliability and efficiency of financial accounting and reporting
  • Ensure the finance function has the processes, systems and capabilities to support the changing needs of the business
  • Leadership, accountability and execution
  • Lead, develop and hold the financial control team accountable for consistently high standards of performance and delivery
  • Establish a results-driven culture with clear responsibilities, measurable objectives and disciplined execution
  • Set realistic but ambitious deadlines and ensure the team delivers against them
  • Take ownership of challenges, remove obstacles and escalate material issues early, with clear recommendations and solutions
  • Build a strong, capable team with the technical expertise, judgement and resilience to operate effectively under pressure
  • Act as a trusted adviser to the CFO on financial accounting, reporting, control and governance matters
  • Demonstrate strong personal accountability, sound judgement and the ability to operate independently with minimal supervision
  • You’ll be measured on your ability to consistently deliver a reliable, efficient and well-controlled finance function
  • Key measures of success will include:
  • Month-end close: Consistent delivery of accurate monthly financial results within an agreed, progressively improving close timetable
  • Deadline discipline: All critical finance deliverables completed on time, with proactive management of risks, dependencies and escalations
  • Financial integrity: A reliable balance sheet, robust financial controls and high-quality financial reporting
  • Audit and regulatory delivery: Timely completion of statutory accounts, external audits and finance-owned regulatory reporting, with no material avoidable findings
  • Operational efficiency: Measurable improvements in close timelines, automation, process effectiveness and reporting quality
  • Team performance: A capable, accountable and high-performing financial control team that consistently delivers

Benefits

  • Hybrid working and 30 days work abroad per year
  • 25 days annual leave, plus public holidays, plus an extra day every year worked
  • Sports compensation with Stebby or direct discount from a gym
  • Bupa personal private healthcare
  • 10 paid sick days per year
  • Learning & development budget and 10 paid learning days per annum
  • VIP Pockit & Monese accounts
  • Share options (exact details depending on your role and level)
  • Social events throughout the year
  • Private medical with Confido

Preferred experience

  • Experience strengthening financial control frameworks and improving the quality and reliability of financial reporting
  • Confidence and credibility when engaging with senior management, external auditors and other key stakeholders
  • Strong organisational skills, sound judgement and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities without compromising delivery
  • Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience
  • Demonstrated track record of owning and consistently delivering month-end close, statutory reporting and audit processes to demanding deadlines
  • Demonstrated ability to leverage AI, automation and emerging technologies to streamline finance processes, accelerate financial close, enhance reporting accuracy and drive operational efficiency
  • Demonstrable success improving close processes, accelerating reporting timelines and implementing finance automation
  • Experience within fintech, payments, banking, electronic money or another regulated financial services environment
  • Strong technical accounting expertise, including IFRS, UK GAAP and financial reporting requirements
  • 5+ years of proven experience as a Financial Controller, Head of Financial Control, Head of Accounting or equivalent senior finance leader
  • Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing finance teams, setting clear expectations and driving accountability
  • Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment with a high degree of ownership and independence
  • Background in a Big Four accounting firm combined with subsequent industry experience
  • Experience leading finance systems transformation and automation initiatives
  • Experience managing accounting and reporting for complex, high-volume financial transactions
  • Exposure to multi-entity reporting, group consolidation or international finance operations
  • Knowledge of regulatory financial reporting requirements applicable to fintech and payments businesses
  • Experience within an FCA-regulated electronic money or payments institution

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