Business Controller

Saab UK; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a skilled finance professional to join its central finance team. This role involves collaborating with financial controllers to ensure accurate reporting and compliance across business units. You will lead the preparation of budgets, manage accounting operations, and provide insightful financial analysis to support decision-making. With a commitment to professional growth and a healthy work-life balance, this company offers a dynamic environment where your contributions will help shape the future of public safety solutions. Join a team that values innovation and excellence in financial management.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years experience in a Controller or Finance Manager role.
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and ability to influence at all levels.

Responsibilities

• Consolidation and reporting of Saab UK's individual business units.
• Preparing and submitting the annual budget and quarterly forecasts.

Skills

Fully Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)

Financial Reporting

Stakeholder Management

Attention to Detail

Data Interpretation

Microsoft Office Suite

Unit 4 Agresso

Education

Professional Accounting Qualification

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Microsoft PowerPoint

Job description

Introduction

Saab UK is part of Scandinavia's largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth. We currently employ over 500 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training.

As part of the global entity Saab AB, Saab UK combines the innovative spirit of a start-up with the resources and expertise of a larger corporation. Globally, Saab employs over 22,000 people, with operations on every continent. Our partnerships with UK customers and industry mean we are able to deliver innovative solutions to complex challenges, anticipating the threats of tomorrow. We invest 23% of our annual revenue into research and development, collaborating with a range of partners including industry and academia.

Saab is a company that offers our employees plenty of opportunities for growth and advancement. We embrace diversity and are committed to providing a workplace where individuals can thrive professionally, paving the way for future progression. We also recognise the need for a healthy work-life balance to ensure our staff have the chance to live a fulfilling life beyond the workplace.

The role:

This role is part of our Saab UK's central finance team, supporting our Public Safety Solutions business unit. You will be working as part of a collaborative team collaboratively with other UK financial controllers, reporting into the CFO.

Key Responsibilities:

• Consolidation and reporting of Saab UK's individual business units
• Performing month end close and ownership of internal control frameworks
• Reporting on internal controls and month end close
• Preparing and submitting the annual budget, quarterly forecasts and reporting.
• Cost centre controlling in the financial system
• Control and maintain the finance systems hierarchy
• Project controlling and reporting, including the set up and management of projects in the accounting system.
• Financial contact for Win Business Process: ensuring financial and commercial rigour.
• CAPEX accounting and supporting managers with business investment requests
• A UK Point of contact for the accounting services team
• Liaising with Saab group on transactional financial processes and controls for the UK Division.
• Calculating hourly rates
• Supporting business partnering to Project Managers and Management functional directors in achieving financial goals and budgets
• Managing all accounting operations for a Division.
• Coordinating and directing the preparation of the annual budget and quarterly forecasts
• Preparing and publishing timely monthly management accounts, to include full variance analysis to budget and forecast
• Creating monthly and annual reports to identify results, trends and financial forecasts
• Ensuring all reporting is compliant with statutory law and financial regulations
• Ensuring compliance with all HMRC requirements
• Communicating business processes and accounting finance policies and processes to maintain and strengthen internal controls for all Saab UK colleagues
• A key contributor to managing the external annual financial audit process and liaising with external personnel as required stakeholders
• Contributing fully to the company's financial strategy and decision-making processes
• Presenting reports and results to senior executives, stakeholders group and UK board members

Skills and Qualifications:

• Fully Qualified Accountant (CIMA/ACCA/ACA)
• Minimum 5 years experience in a Controller or Finance Manager role
• Adept to working independently and making proactive improvements
• Ability to meet monthly deadlines and manage the accounting calendar whilst maintaining for Saab UK
• Able to show a supportive, collaborative approach across all business stakeholders and senior leadership.
• Exceptional attention to detail and ability to interpret and manipulate large volumes sets of data
• Exceptional stakeholder management skills and the ability to influence at all levels within the business
• Ability to challenge at all levels and communicate with clear and reasoned verbal and written communication skills
• Able to work to conflicting deadlines and effectively prioritise own and team's dynamic workload
• Highly PC literate & skilled with all Microsoft Office based applications including Word/Excel/PowerPoint
• Experience of Unit 4 Agresso (desirable)

• Professional and positive with high ethical standards.
• The ability to lead a team and be a leader able to inspire your team and influence the both the finance team and wider business
• Tenacious and pragmatic approach, able to get to the root of issues and implement appropriate processes and controls
• Excellent judgement and an excellent decision-making maker skilled in a fast paced, commercial environment

By submitting an application to Saab UK you consent to undertaking workforce screening activities that may include but are not limited to: Baseline Personnel Security checks, National Security Vetting, reference checks, verification of working rights and in all circumstances preferred candidates will be placed through a security interview.