Financial Controller

DEKRA Automotive Limited; Chilworth; On-site; GBP 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

DEKRA Automotive Limited is seeking an experienced Finance Controller to lead the UK finance function, delivering performance insights and robust financial control to support growth.

The role combines stakeholder engagement with technical accounting, audit ownership and continuous improvement to strengthen financial governance across the business.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with ACCA/CIMA/ACA.
• Minimum 2 years post-qualification experience.
• Experience leading and developing a finance team.
• Strong SAP knowledge.
• Experience in multi-entity or group reporting is desirable.
• Solid understanding of core accounting principles, especially revenue accounting.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the finance team and meet reporting deadlines.
• Produce monthly management accounts with variance analysis.
• Oversee month-end and year-end close, journals and reconciliations.
• Ensure group reporting and intercompany deadlines are met.
• Prepare cash flow forecasts and support planning.
• Act as finance business partner to P&L owners with commercial insight.
• Lead annual budgeting and forecasting cycles.
• Own the annual audit and liaise with external auditors.
• Ensure statutory accounts are filed on time.
• Drive process improvements in accounting controls.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Commercial awareness

Communication

Proactive problem-solving

Education

ACCA/CIMA/ACA

Tools

SAP

Job description

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.

A Day in the Life and the Impact You'll Make

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.