Financial Controller (4214)

Wade Macdonald; Essex; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Wade Macdonald is representing a large international organisation recruiting a Financial Controller for an 18-month maternity cover based in Lakeside, Essex with hybrid working. You will lead a team of four Management Accountants, oversee month-end and financial reporting, and partner with FP&A and senior stakeholders to maintain robust controls.

The role requires ACA or ACCA, strong IFRS/FRS 102 knowledge, external audit experience and a collaborative, change-oriented mindset.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified with strong technical knowledge of FRS 102 and IFRS.
• Experience in financial control and external audit processes.
• Proven people manager with ability to lead a finance team.
• Comfortable challenging senior stakeholders and improving processes.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end and quarter-end reporting within deadlines.
• Manage provisions, accruals and unusual expenditures.
• Collaborate with FP&A and senior leaders on performance reviews.
• Maintain balance sheet integrity through reconciliations.
• Strengthen controls and documentation; manage cash flow forecasting.
• Coordinate external audit and tax reporting with Group Tax.
• Lead and develop a team of four Management Accountants.
• Ensure reporting complies with Group policies and statutory requirements.
• Identify efficiencies to streamline finance processes.

Skills

Leadership

Financial control

Management accounting

IFRS/FRS102

External audit

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Job description

Financial Controller - 18 Month Maternity Cover

Location: Lakeside, Essex - Hybrid working available

About the Client

Our client is a large, international organisation with a significant global presence and thousands of employees operating across numerous countries. The organisation offers the scale, opportunities and career potential associated with an established global business.

Their culture is rooted in collaboration, mutual support and empowering employees to shape their careers. They place importance on diversity, work-life balance, career development and making a positive contribution both within the workplace and wider community.

About the Job

This is a senior finance position taking responsibility for management accounting, financial control and the quality of financial reporting. Managing a team of four Management Accountants, you will ensure robust controls are maintained while partnering with FP&A, senior finance stakeholders and wider Group functions.

Duties will include:

• Taking ownership of month-end and quarter-end reporting, ensuring financial information is delivered accurately and within agreed deadlines.
• Managing complex accounting areas, including provisions, exceptional expenditure and accruals, in accordance with relevant accounting requirements.
• Working closely with FP&A and senior finance leadership to review financial performance ahead of monthly and quarterly reporting.
• Maintaining the integrity of the balance sheet, including oversight and approval of reconciliations.
• Strengthening the financial control framework and ensuring appropriate supporting documentation is maintained.
• Managing cash flow forecasting and providing effective challenge around working capital and underlying assumptions.
• Coordinating the external audit process, including financial statements and technical accounting assessments.
• Liaising with Group Tax to support accurate and timely tax reporting.
• Reviewing regulatory submissions and supporting quarterly attestation requirements.
• Leading, coaching and developing a team of four Management Accountants.
• Ensuring financial reporting complies with Group policies and applicable statutory requirements.
• Identifying opportunities to streamline finance processes, strengthen controls and improve overall efficiency.

About the Successful Applicant

You will be an ACA or ACCA qualified accountant with strong technical knowledge of FRS 102 and IFRS, alongside experience of financial control and external audit processes. An established people manager, you will be comfortable leading finance professionals and influencing senior stakeholders. You will combine attention to detail with a collaborative approach, sound judgement and the confidence to challenge constructively while continually looking for opportunities to improve processes.

What You Will Receive in Return

You will join a sizeable international organisation offering genuine scope to develop your career within a supportive and collaborative environment. The culture places emphasis on professional development, diversity, employee wellbeing and work-life balance, alongside opportunities to contribute to sustainability and volunteering initiatives.

Flexible working arrangements, including hybrid working and adjustments to working hours, may also be available depending on the requirements of the position.