Finance Controller

DEKRA UK Management; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

DEKRA UK Management is seeking an experienced Finance Controller to lead the UK finance function from our Southampton hybrid office. You will own monthly reporting, forecasting and audit processes while partnering with senior stakeholders to drive profitability and growth.

The role demands ACCA/CIMA/ACA qualification, at least 2 years post-qualification experience, and strong SAP knowledge. You will manage a finance team and contribute to cross-entity financial governance.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA).
• Minimum 2 years' post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience leading and developing a finance team.
• Strong SAP knowledge.
• Experience in multi-entity or group reporting is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team, ensuring internal and external reporting deadlines are met.
• Produce accurate monthly management accounts with variance analysis and commentary.
• Lead month-end and year-end close, including journals and reconciliations.
• Ensure group reporting and intercompany deadlines are met.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and support financial planning.
• Act as a finance business partner to P&L owners with commercial insight.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting cycles.
• Analyse data to support decision-making and growth.
• Own the annual audit process and liaise with external auditors.
• Ensure statutory accounts are prepared and filed on time.
• Review and improve accounting processes and governance with controls.

Skills

Finance team leadership

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Commercial awareness

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA qualified

Tools

SAP

Job description

Finance Controller

Location

Hybrid Southampton

Salary

£65,000 £90,000 DOE + Car Allowance

Contract

Full-time, Permanent

DEKRA Entity

DEKRA UK Management (DUKM)

Do you want to boost the future towards a safe, secure and sustainable world

At DEKRA, safety isn t just what we do it s who we are.

As part of a global network of more than 49,000 professionals across over 60 countries, we help organisations in high-hazard and safety-critical industries prevent incidents, protect people and strengthen organisational safety and reliability.

We are now looking for an experienced Finance Controller to play a pivotal role within our UK Finance function, combining financial leadership, commercial insight and strong financial control to support performance, profitability and growth.

This is a senior, business-facing role where you'll act as a trusted finance partner to senior stakeholders across the business. You'll lead the finance team, oversee monthly reporting and forecasting, support P&L owners with meaningful financial insight and take ownership of audit, statutory reporting and continuous improvement.

You’ll bring technical expertise alongside a hands-on, commercially minded approach, helping shape financial performance across DEKRA UK.

What You'll Do

• Lead and develop the finance team, ensuring internal and external reporting deadlines are consistently achieved.
• Produce accurate monthly management accounts, including insightful variance analysis and commentary.
• Lead month-end and year-end close, including journals, balance sheet reconciliations and fixed asset control.
• Ensure group reporting and intercompany deadlines are met.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and support financial planning.
• Act as a finance business partner to P&L owners, providing clear and commercially relevant financial insight.
• Lead annual budgeting and periodic forecasting cycles.
• Analyse financial and non-financial data to support decision-making, profitability and growth.
• Own the annual audit process and act as the key liaison with external auditors.
• Ensure statutory accounts are prepared and filed within required deadlines.
• Review and improve accounting processes, controls and efficiencies.
• Provide technical accounting guidance and ensure compliance with accounting policies and governance standards.
• Contribute as an active member of the Senior Leadership Team.
• Work collaboratively across the business to drive continuous improvement.

What You'll Bring

• Fully qualified accountant ACCA, CIMA or ACA.
• Minimum 2 years' post-qualification experience.
• Proven experience managing and developing a finance team.
• Strong working knowledge of SAP.
• Experience working in a multi-entity or group reporting environment is desirable.
• Strong understanding of core accounting principles, particularly revenue accounting.
• Confident communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence finance and non-finance colleagues.
• A proactive, resilient and solutions-focused approach.
• The ability to combine technical financial expertise with strong commercial awareness.

Please note: Due to the location of the role, you must live within approximately one hour's drive of our Southampton office.

What Success Looks Like

• Monthly management accounts delivered accurately and on time.
• Reliable and insightful reporting for local and group stakeholders.
• A motivated, well-led and high-performing finance team.
• Strong financial controls and governance.
• Continuous improvement across finance processes and collaboration.
• Meaningful financial insight supporting business performance, profitability and growth.

Why Join DEKRA

You’ll join a global organisation where our people are encouraged to take ownership, challenge the status quo and make a genuine impact.

Our values shape how we work

Safety First Integrity Customer Focus Entrepreneurship Team Spirit

This is a priority role within DEKRA UK, offering the opportunity to work closely with senior leadership and influence both operational and strategic business performance.

If you’re a commercially minded Finance Controller with strong SAP experience and proven leadership capability, we’d love to hear from you.

No agencies please.

At DEKRA we value your unique experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds. We are committed to an inclusive workplace for all team members.