Financial Controller

Ambition; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Financial Controller in London to manage day-to-day financial operations. This role emphasizes team leadership, requiring proven managerial experience and a strong technical accounting background (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA). The ideal candidate will foster a collaborative environment and oversee multiple finance service lines, ensuring compliance and accuracy in financial reporting. Hybrid working is offered, with 3 days in the office and bonus eligibility.

Benefits

Hybrid working

Eligibility for bonuses

Referral scheme bonuses

Qualifications

• Proven managerial experience leading larger teams.
• Strong technical expertise in high-level accounting matters.
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor finance team members.
• Foster a culture of collaboration and high performance.
• Review processes and implement technology-driven enhancements.
• Oversee recruitment, training, and performance management.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.

Skills

Managerial experience

Strong technical expertise

Stakeholder management

Communication skills

Understanding of financial operations

Education

Recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)

Job description

I have partnered with one of our law firm clients in the search for a new Financial Controller. This role is a backfill for the previous incumbent who has recently been promoted to the Head of Finance.

As the Financial Controller you will take ownership of day-to-day financial operations and reporting, working closely with the Head of Finance to drive efficiency, accuracy, and compliance across the business.

People management will have a large focus in this role so if this is something you enjoy doing, this would be a fantastic opportunity for you to as you will lead and develop a large team that covers Management Accounts, Revenue Control, Cashiering, and Partnership Accounts. You'll foster a collaborative, high-performing culture while implementing system-based enhancements to streamline processes and improve controls.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage and mentor five direct reports (with a broader team of 11 underneath those direct reports) across multiple finance service lines
• Foster a culture of collaboration, high performance, and continuous improvement.
• Review processes and implement technology-driven enhancements to improve efficiency.
• Oversee recruitment, training, performance management, and career development within the team.
• Oversee production of management accounts, statutory reports, and annual audits.
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting and maintain balance sheet integrity.
• Support budgeting and reforecasting processes.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements, including SRA audits.
• Maintain robust financial controls and liaise with bankers on compliance matters.
• Drive effective revenue and credit control management.
• Oversee partnership accounting, including partner distributions and tax returns.
• Review VAT returns and PAYE Settlement Agreements.

Experience needed:

• Proven managerial experience, ideally leading larger teams, with a genuine interest in developing people and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Strong technical expertise, as you will lead on high-level accounting matters and must hold a recognised accountancy qualification (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.
• Previous experience in a law firm or broader professional services environment is essential.
• While you must be a strong accountant, you should also demonstrate a solid understanding of wider financial operations (e.g., cashiering, revenue control).

Additional:

• Hybrid working if offered - c.3 days in the office
• Will be eligible for a bonus

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you know someone who would be great at this role, why not take advantage of our referral scheme? We offer £200 in shopping vouchers for every referred candidate who we place in a role. Terms & Conditions Apply. https://www.ambition.co.uk/refer-a-friend