Deputy Financial Controller

FirstGroup; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 58,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & Wellbeing

Lifestyle

Financial

Travel

Job summary

GWR is seeking a Deputy Financial Controller based in Swindon to oversee cash management, liquidity planning and banking relationships. You will lead a team of four treasury professionals, ensuring accurate forecasting, balance sheet integrity and strong internal controls.

You will manage daily cash posting, reconciliations and payments, support month-end and year-end closes, and drive continuous process improvements across the treasury function.

Qualifications

• Qualified Accountant or equivalent with experience working in a large finance team.
• Strong, complex balance sheet reconciliations.
• Excellent communicator and problem solver.
• Able to manage teams and encourage collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor and develop the treasury team.
• Monitor cash positions and liquidity; manage banking relationships.
• Oversee daily cash posting, payments and reconciliations.
• Support audits and improve internal controls.
• Deliver period-end close and balance sheet reconciliations.
• Drive process improvements across treasury.
• Ad hoc duties as required.

Skills

Communication

Problem solving

Team leadership

Excel

ERP systems

SAP S4 Hana

Education

Qualified Accountant or equivalent

Tools

SAP S4 Hana

Job description

Salary: upto £57,500 depending on skills and experience

About the team:

The role is based in Milford House Swindon and is part of wider Financial Controls team and you will be managing 4 direct reports that are responsible for treasury activities.

About the job:

The Deputy Financial Controller is responsible for overseeing the organisation's cash management, liquidity planning, banking relationships, and financial risk management. This role ensures that GWR maintains optimal cash flow, minimises financial risk, and supports strategic decision-making through accurate forecasting and analysis.

The Deputy Financial Controller is also responsible for the accurate preparation, analysis, and reconciliation of the company's balance sheet accounts. This role ensures the integrity of financial reporting by maintaining strong internal controls, resolving discrepancies in a timely manner, and supporting month-end and year-end close processes.

Your main responsibilities will be:

• Lead, mentor and develop the team, building a culture of accountability, customer service, and continuous improvement
• Ensure strong internal controls and compliance with policies and accounting standards
• Monitor and forecast daily cash positions and ensure adequate liquidity for operational needs
• Serve as the primary contact for all banking partners (primary bank and deposit banks)
• Oversee daily cash posting, allocation, and reconciliation activities
• Oversee payment processing, treasury settlements, and bank reconciliations
• Releasing of payments in Bankline and PTX ensuring compliance with delegated authority
• Maintain bank account structures, documentation, and signatory controls
• Review and approval of reconciliations prepared by the Treasury team (payroll, credit card, bank etc)
• Support internal and external audits
• Continuously develop the functions to ensure they are as efficient as possible
• Manage the team's performance and resources to ensure that period end can be delivered on a timely basis with reconciliations signed off as soon as possible
• Other ad hoc duties as required

You'll need to be:

• Qualified Accountant or equivalent with experience working in a large finance team
• Competent in managing complex balance sheet reconciliations
• An excellent communicator and problem solver
• Able to manage teams and encourage collaboration

As a minimum you\'ll need to have:

• A proven track record in managing teams
• Strong system skills, including excel, word and ERP systems, ideally SAP S4 Hana
• Experience reviewing current processes and controls while also implementing process change.
• Experience reviewing complex reconciliations.
• Experience working with multiple systems and understanding interfaces and associated processes.
• Experience in managing internal and external audit engagements
• People management skills, leading and developing the transactional accounting team.
• Ability to implement process improvements and review existing controls and enhance.
• Ability to solve problems and anticipate issues.
• Strong communication skills, dealing both with financial and non-financial teams
• Must be professional, confident and act with a high level of integrity at all times
• Knowledge and understanding of accounting principles that underpin the balance sheet.
• Understanding double entry accounting and key financial transactions.
• Knowledge and experience of managing and improving financial controls.
• Knowledge of delegated authority principles and controls.

About the location:

Milford House is close to the Train Station and town centre. We also offer hybrid working but there is a current expectation that you will be in the office 3 days a week (which is subject to change). Occasional travel across our network will be required.

Working Pattern:

37 hour working week – Monday to Friday

About GWR

At GWR, we are proud to carry over 100 million passenger journeys every year to more than 275 stations across the South West, Wales, and London. With some of the UK's newest trains and a commitment to exceptional service, we are transforming rail travel.

We believe rail is more than just transport – it's a relaxing, efficient, and enjoyable experience. That's why we're looking for people who will help us revalue rail and make every journey special.

Perks & Benefits?

• Health & Wellbeing: Health Cash Plan, health screenings, EAP, gym discounts.
• Lifestyle: Costco membership, bike scheme, retail discounts.
• Financial: Pension, share-saving schemes, payroll giving, electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme.
• Travel: Free GWR Travel pass. Discounted Friends and Family tickets, Eurostar and European rail travel.

Our Commitment to Inclusion:

We all belong at GWR.We embracediversity and ensure equal opportunities for all. Differences in age, gender, LGBTQIA, ethnicity, religion, and disability are valued, with zero tolerance for prejudice.

We promote flexible working, review job roles for accessibility, and support colleagues in thriving. If you need adjustments due to a disability or neurodivergent condition, please let us know.

Exceptional Individuals – Neurodiversity

Health Assured – Neurodiversity

INGWR