Financial Controller

HANDELSBANKEN PLC; City Of London; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial institution is seeking a motivated Financial Controller in London. This role involves preparing financial presentations, collaborating with senior management, and advancing the finance function. Candidates should have strong analytical and presentation skills, as well as a background in the UK Banking sector. The position offers competitive salary and benefits in a supportive work environment.

Benefits

Competitive Salary

Private medical insurance

Life assurance

Market-leading pension contribution of 15%

Qualifications

• Strong understanding of the UK Banking sector and related industries.
• Familiarity with accounting regulation and financial reporting standards.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of financial presentations for stakeholders.
• Develop understanding of the UK Banking sector.
• Improve financial reports and presentations.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop compelling narratives.
• Ensure materials meet regulatory standards.
• Monitor market trends for finance insights.

Skills

Financial analysis

Verbal presentation

Visual presentation

Data visualization

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

PowerPoint

Excel

Education

Background in management consultancy or investor relations

Job description

Job Introduction

Handelsbanken plc’s Finance department is based in London and is responsible for statutory accounting and reporting, regulatory reporting, technical accounting expertise, business and financial control, internal steering, tax, capital, and treasury.

Main Responsibilities

The Financial Controller provides support to the Financial Control Team Lead, Head of Financial Control and Business Partnering, the Deputy CFO and the CFO. We're offering a dynamic and collaborative work environment within a leading financial institution, exposure to Senior Management and great opportunities for professional development and career progression.

The role is based in London and is part of the Financial Control and Business Partnering (FCABP) team.

We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented Financial Controller to join our FCABP team within the Banks Finance department. This role is ideal for someone with a strong grasp of financial analysis, excellent verbal and visual presentation skills, and a passion for communication.

You will play a key role in preparing and designing financial materials that effectively communicate our financial performance and balance sheet development to Senior Management, Group Finance counterparts, External Regulators, our internal Business counterparts and other stakeholders.

You are expected to contribute positively to the development of the accounting and finance function, and to the development of employees. This is an important requirement as we build long‑term accounting and reporting capability and a good platform for internal succession.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation and design of an array of financial presentations to a wide variety of stakeholders including executives, Group finance and investor relations, regulators, and management and Board committees. This includes monthly and quarterly financial performance MI, deep‑dive business and cost segment updates, business partnering materials, and regulatory updates.
• Develop and maintain a strategic understanding of the UK Banking sector and related industries, keeping up to date with changes and competitor performance and assessing how these relate to the Bank.
• Improve and develop our financial reports and presentations, providing technical support to the Financial Control Lead, the Head of Financial Control and Business Partnering, Deputy CFO and CFO where required.
• Collaborate with Bank Finance leadership, Senior Management, Board and Group colleagues to develop clear, compelling narratives supported by financial data and visual storytelling.
• Ensure all materials produced meet regulatory standards and reflect the bank’s brand and strategic messaging.
• Monitor market trends and develop and build better insights for the Finance function on key focus areas such as business trends, market, competitive landscape, customer behaviours and trends, business performance and peer comparisons – providing insights for the financial strategy.
• Support the branch network and Head Office department managers to ensure local control and reporting procedures are in line with internal instructions and policies, and with external regulatory requirements.
• Ensure the Handelsbanken steering system is maintained and educate and train branches/ Head Office departments on the steering system as needed.
• Operate in line with the Bank’s Risk Management framework (including sub‑frameworks) and relevant risk and compliance policies and procedures, ensuring appropriate and timely escalation of any concerns to their line manager.

Ideal Candidate

Research (by Harvard University) shows that women are particularly likely to second‑guess themselves and not apply – so if you are worried you don’t meet all the criteria, get in touch anyhow and let us do the worrying.

• Background in management consultancy or investor relations is considered an advantage, especially experience in financial analysis, client communications, and presentation development.
• Strong understanding of the Bank’s operational model.
• Strong understanding of the UK Banking sector and related industries.
• Familiarity with accounting regulation and financial reporting standards.
• Strong analytical skills, attention to detail and organisational skills.
• Strong knowledge of graphic design principles and data visualization.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information appropriately and with discretion.
• Strong competence in using PowerPoint and Excel and relevant analytical tools.
• Ability to work in a fast‑paced environment.

Company Information

Handelsbanken is a relationship bank with a decentralised way of working, a strong local presence thanks to a nationwide network of branches, and a long‑term approach to customer relations. Each Handelsbanken branch operates as a local business enabling it to make decisions at a local level and provide a bespoke service. The focus is always on the need of the individual customer and not on the sale of specific products.

The Bank is deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all of our activities. This is so that we are an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work that encourages everyone to apply, regardless of socio‑economic background, age, disability, pregnancy and/or parental status, race (including colour, nationality, and ethnic or national origin), veteran status, marital and civil partnership status, religion or belief, sex, gender reassignment or sexual orientation.

Check our Handelsbanken website for further information.

At Handelsbanken, we deeply value our unique culture and values including trust in and respect for each individual. We take pride in nurturing a work environment where people flourish, and where they are empowered to take decisions in their areas of expertise. We take a long‑term perspective in everything we do and want each employee who joins us to build a long‑terms successful career with the Bank.

What is in it for you?

• We have a wide range of learning and development available, empowering and enabling our colleagues to take ownership of their own development.
• Competitive Salary and an extensive range of benefits is provided, including private medical insurance, income protection and life assurance.
• A market‑leading pension contribution of 15% paid by the bank, which can be invested in a wide range of funds (including ESG and Shariah funds).

Application next steps

Your journey with us begins once you have submitted your application. One of our Handelsbanken recruiters will be reviewing your details and will later organise a phone conversation if you match the role requirements. If there is a mutual fit, we will extend an invitation for you to participate in an interview.

There will be a two stage interview process with a combination of technical and competency interviews.

How can we support you to be your best self? Our Talent Acquisition team will be happy to provide support e.g. if you need additional time to prepare for an interview or you have any requirements for any part of the interview/hiring process – just let us know by email [e-mail].

This advert will be live for a minimum of two weeks. However, please note that after the two weeks, the closing date could change at any time depending on the number of responses received.