Financial Controller

ACCA Careers; Farnborough; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Inghams and Santa's Lapland in Farnborough, Hampshire, seeks a Financial Controller to lead the finance team and own end-to-end financial governance across multiple entities. You will drive balance sheet integrity, treasury, and month-end processes, acting as the final control point for close.

This hands-on senior role requires interaction with auditors, external advisors, and senior leadership, with strong emphasis on process improvement and control culture.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior finance role.
• Experience managing complex balance sheets, reconciliations and month-end closes.
• Exposure to treasury, FX and multi-currency environments.
• Experience in regulated and multi-entity businesses (travel sector advantageous).
• Experience in an EMEA structure is desirable.
• Confident working with auditors and external advisors.
• Clear communicator with senior leadership.
• Strong judgement and proactive risk management.
• Hands-on, detail-oriented and able to operate at pace.

Responsibilities

• Own balance sheet reconciliations and integrity across entities.
• Final reviewer for revenue, gross margin, prepayments and accruals.
• Ensure timely and accurate close across all entities, including consolidation and intercompany.
• Own the month-end timetable for assigned areas and sign-off.
• Lead treasury activity and cashflow forecasting; manage FX exposure.
• Prepare and review key reconciliations and regulatory returns.
• Support statutory accounts prep and tax provisions.
• Maintain internal control framework and drive continuous improvement.
• Liaise with external auditors and advisors during audit cycles.
• Oversee compliance and governance across the UK and overseas entities.

Skills

Senior finance management

Balance sheet management

Treasury & FX exposure

Multi-entity finance

Audit liaison

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder communication

Problem solving

Leadership & influence

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified or equivalent

Job description

The great outdoors is our happy place and it's open all year round. Ski the slopes, walk the walks and explore the Lapland wilderness. If nature's in your nature… if you're itching for adventure - you've found your people. We are united by our shared passion for our exceptional brands - Inghams and Santa's Lapland. Driven by a strong sense of purpose, staying true to our commitment to our people and planet.

If you're looking for a career that's not just a job but a fulfilling adventure, we welcome you to explore opportunities with us. Join our team and be part of a dynamic, purpose-driven business dedicated to making a positive impact in the world. Join us on our journey, creating extraordinary travel experiences for all.

Our vision is to be the most loved travel company in our markets, famous for customer experience and sustainable travel.

We put people at the heart of everything we do and are proud of the extensive benefits we offer.

This role is based in Farnborough, Hampshire with 2 days per week in the office. Our office is within walking distance of the train station and has free parking. This is a full-time position, however work life balance is important to us and so we are open to discussion on flexible working patterns (minimum 4 days per week).

Salary: £65,000 - £70,000 p.a.

About The Role

This is a key role within the Inghams and Santa's Lapland finance team, providing stability, control and leadership across core financial processes while ensuring continuity and audit readiness. You'll take full ownership of balance sheet integrity, treasury, and financial governance, acting as the final point of control at month end. Alongside this, you'll play an important role in strengthening processes, documenting controls, and ensuring a smooth handover into business-as-usual. This is a hands-on role with real impact, suited to someone who thrives in a fast-paced, multi-entity environment and is confident operating at both a detailed and strategic level.

Areas Of Responsibility

• Own and review all balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring completeness, accuracy and integrity.
• Act as final reviewer for revenue, gross margin, prepayments and accruals.
• Ensure timely and accurate close across all entities, including consolidation and intercompany.
• Own the month end timetable for assigned areas, ensuring deadlines are met and sign-off is achieved.
• Own and control material prepayments across the business, including balance sheet integrity, reconciliation, and release in line with accounting policy.
• Ensure consistent timing, documentation and accounting treatment across all areas.
• Provide oversight, challenge and governance to work prepared by the wider finance team.
• Own short- and medium-term cashflow forecasting and working capital optimisation.
• Execute FX trades with the UK Group and ensure accurate recording and settlement.
• Forecast FX exposure and P&L impact, including setting seasonal FX costed rates.
• Manage treasury activity including transfers, cash pooling and RIF investments.
• Monitor and control merchant, Precision Pay and Barclaycard balances and maintain treasury records within D365/Autobank.
• Prepare and review key reconciliations, including all bank accounts.
• Prepare and submit regulatory returns.
• Manage bonding requirements and annual renewals (CAA, ABTA, ABTOT).
• Own PCI compliance, including scans, remediation and annual certification.
• Support IATA compliance, including day-to-day requirements and annual review.
• Lead SECR data collection and reporting.
• Respond to ONS and other regulatory information requests.
• Oversee VAT compliance across UK and overseas entities.
• Act as the key contact for external auditors during audit cycles.
• Support preparation of statutory accounts for UK and overseas entities.
• Work with advisors on corporation tax returns and year-end tax provisions.
• Manage HMRC-related accruals and recharge processes (e.g. staff discounts).
• Own and continuously improve the internal control framework (ICS).
• Ensure all financial processes are controlled, documented and scalable and support continuous improvement of finance processes and controls.
• Identify, assess and escape financial and control risks proactively.
• Maintain a strong control culture across the finance function.

Am I the right person? We are looking for your application to demonstrate:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) or equivalent experience.
• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or similar senior finance role such as Assistant Financial Controller, Finance Manager or operational finance.
• Experience managing complex balance sheets, reconciliation and month-end processes.
• Exposure to treasury, FX and multi-currency environments.
• Experience in regulated and multi-entity businesses (travel sector advantageous).
• Experience of working in a EMEA structure is desirable.
• Confident working with auditors and external advisors.
• Confidence working with, and presenting to senior leadership.
• Highly organised, with strong attention to detail.
• Hands-on and comfortable operating at pace in a changing environment.
• Strong judgement and ability to challenge constructively.
• Clear communicator, able to work effectively with a range of stakeholders.
• Solutions-focused, with a continuous improvement mindset.

Sustainability and responsible tourism is at our core and our values will be close to your heart.

Diversity is to be celebrated. Life would be dreary, and change would be slow, if we all thought the same way. We challenge our ideas, each other, and our business partners - always with respect and kindness.