BURTON ALBION - Financial Controller

EFL; England; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A professional sports club in England is seeking a Financial Controller to manage finance cycles, prepare financial reports, and ensure compliance with regulations. The ideal candidate has a Chartered Accountant qualification and extensive experience in financial systems. This role offers the opportunity to lead financial projects within a dynamic sports environment.

Benefits

Positive work environment

Opportunities for career development

Qualifications

• 3+ years post-qualification experience in a senior accounting role.
• Experience in system implementation or digital transformation is advantageous.
• Ability to manage external stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly finance cycle including payroll and pensions.
• Prepare financial reports for EFL and FA, liaise with auditors.
• Implement and monitor internal controls and financial policies.

Skills

Financial accounting

Analytical skills

Leadership

Communication

Technical accounting knowledge

Education

Chartered Accountant (AACA/ACA/CIMA)

Tools

Financial systems and ERP

Job description

About The Role

Burton Albion Football Club is seeking a highly motivated and qualified Financial Controller to join our team. Working closely with the CFO, you will ensure effective accounting and reporting across the Club (including the Academy), support a robust control environment, and play a key role in system implementation and digital transformation projects.

Key Responsibilities

You will take full ownership of the monthly finance cycle, including payroll and pensions, and prepare all financial reports required by the EFL and FA. The role involves liaising with auditors for statutory financial statements and audits, preparing and reviewing balance sheet reconciliations, and supporting the development of management information and finance system enhancements. You will assist with annual budgets, forecasts, and financial planning, monitor and report on budget variances, ensure compliance with financial regulations, tax laws, and football-specific financial fair play rules, and implement and monitor internal controls and financial policies.

Qualifications and Experience

The ideal candidate will be a qualified Chartered Accountant (AACA/ACA/CIMA) with at least three years\' post-qualification experience in a senior accounting role, preferably within football or another sporting environment. You should have strong knowledge of financial systems and ERP, with experience in system implementation or digital transformation considered an advantage.

What We're Looking For

We are seeking someone with excellent financial, accounting, analytical, and technical skills, who can demonstrate proven leadership and team development abilities. You should be an effective communicator, planner, and organiser, able to manage external stakeholders and build relationships across functions. Resilience, flexibility, and a proactive, positive attitude are essential.

About The Candidate

Qualifications/Experience/Knowledge

• Qualified Chartered Accountant (AACA/ACA/CIMA)
• 3+ years post qualification experience in a senior accounting role supporting a fast growing organisation (ideally in football, but other sports considered)
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial systems and ERP (experience in system implementation and digital transformation would be beneficial)

Person Specification - Skills/Abilities

• Strong financial, accounting, analytical and technical skills.
• Exceptional levels of technical accounting knowledge coupled with the desire and ability to be the 'subject matter expert'.
• Experience in developing finance teams including empowering and motivating others
• Proven leadership and management skills with a proven ability in relationship building, collaboration across functions, and conflict management
• The ability to manage external stakeholders.
• Good communicator, planner, and organiser.
• Strong ability to implement and monitor internal controls - able to anticipate, assess and mitigate risks
• Resilient, flexible and a positive attitude
• Ability to work without supervision when needed, to deadlines and with a pro-active desire to improve efficiencies, processes working practices

About The Club

Code of Conduct

The Club expects the highest standards of integrity and conduct in all matters concerning the Club and its employees. The Code of Conduct (along with the Staff Handbook) makes clear the standards of conduct expected from its employees and explains the responsibilities of the Club, as the employer. All employees are expected to act wholeheartedly in the interests of the Club at all times. Any conduct detrimental to its interests or its relations with its customers, suppliers, the general public or damaging to its public image shall be considered to be a breach of Club rules and policies. Discriminatory, offensive and violent behaviour are unacceptable and any complaints or concerns will be dealt with and acted upon.

Equality Inclusion & Diversity

Burton Albion are committed to ensuring that equality, inclusion and diversity of opportunity is at the very heart of everything we do to ensure we provide fair and non-prejudicial access to the services across the Club. We uphold everyone\'s freedom of rights and choice to be different and aim to provide opportunities for everyone to succeed. It is the policy of the Club that no person, whether player, job applicant, employee, volunteer or customer, shall be discriminated against. The Club opposes all forms of unlawful and unfair discrimination, either direct or indirect, or harassment, on the grounds of the following \"protected characteristics\": Age, Disability, Gender Reassignment, Marriage & civil Partnership, Pregnancy & Maternity, Race, Religion or Belief, Sex and Sexual Orientation. Anyone who is found to be in breach of this could receive disciplinary action, which may well include suspension and dismissal.

The Club is fully committed to the EFL Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Standards and we particularly welcome \"entry level\" applications from women, individuals from Black and Minority Ethnicities, the LGBT community and anyone with a disability.

Safeguarding

Burton Albion are committed to and has both a moral and legal obligation to ensure that all children and vulnerable adults are protected and kept safe from harm whilst engaged in services organised and provided by the Club and believes that the general wellbeing, welfare and safety of all children and vulnerable adults engaged in Club activities is of the upmost importance. The Club will fulfil its responsibilities by ensuring it displays best practice in safeguarding matters - including Safer Recruitment - , carried out in a spirit of partnership and openness with the child or vulnerable adult, families and the relevant local authority.

Potential applicants are advised to check on the government website (https://www.gov.uk/tell-employer-or-college-about-criminal-record/what-information-you-need-to-give) whether cautions / convictions should be disclosed as part of their application.