Financial Controller

JDC Professional Recruitment; Gloucester; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading financial services firm in Gloucester is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to manage all financial operations. The role comes with hybrid working opportunities and offers a competitive salary, extensive responsibilities including management accounts production and FCA reporting, and the chance to lead a growing finance team. The ideal candidate will be a qualified accountant with a strong background in financial services.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Flexible working

Progression opportunities

Qualifications

• Proven experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role within an SME.
• Experience managing a small finance team.
• Strong technical understanding of management accounting and FCA returns.

Responsibilities

• Deliver timely, accurate monthly management accounts.
• Manage all aspects of financial control, reporting, compliance, and forecasting.
• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounts team.

Skills

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)

Management accounting

FCA returns

Financial reporting

Excellent communication skills

Excel

Attention to detail

Education

Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) or equivalent experience

Tools

Financial systems

Job description

Job Title: Financial Controller

Location: Gloucester (Hybrid working available)

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 1 full-time Accounts Assistant + 1 Contractor

Type: Full-time, Permanent

Salary: Competitive, depending on experience (CIRCA £70k)

About The Company

Join a directly authorised, award-winning mortgage brokerage based in Gloucester, providing independent mortgage and insurance advice nationwide. A fast-growing business with a strong reputation for integrity, service excellence, and innovation. They use a bespoke internal office system that documents all business and financial transactions, ensuring seamless integration between operational and financial performance data.

• Direct impact on shaping financial strategy and business performance.
• Opportunity to lead a growing finance function in a dynamic, people-focused business.
• Collaborative and supportive culture with strong leadership visibility.
• Competitive salary, flexible working, and genuine progression opportunities.

Role Overview

We are on the hunt for an experienced Financial Controller to take full ownership of the company’s financial operations, replacing the day-to-day functions currently handled by our external accountants. This is a senior position reporting directly to the CEO and involves managing all aspects of financial control, reporting, compliance, and forecasting within the business.

The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering timely, accurate monthly management accounts; managing FCA regulatory reporting; leading the accounts team; and liaising with external accountants on statutory year-end reporting.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Management & Reporting

• Produce and present accurate monthly management accounts, variance analysis, and cashflow forecasts.
• Oversee all daily accounting operations, including bank reconciliations, balance sheet management, and general ledger control.
• Manage P&L performance, ensuring financial transparency across departments.
• Liaise with the company’s accountants to prepare statutory year-end accounts and audit packs.
• Develop and implement internal financial controls and procedures to strengthen financial governance.
• Own the budgeting and forecasting process, working with department heads to manage costs and support strategic growth.

Regulatory & Compliance

• Take full responsibility for FCA financial returns and ensure all compliance-related submissions are completed accurately and on time.
• Ensure financial practices comply with FCA regulations and the firm’s Direct Authorisation obligations.
• Support external audits and maintain robust documentation for compliance reviews.

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop the accounts team (currently one full-time employee and one contractor).
• Define clear responsibilities, workflows, and timelines to ensure smooth financial operations.
• Foster a culture of accuracy, accountability, and continuous improvement within the finance function.

Systems & Process Development

• Oversee and enhance integration between our bespoke office system and financial reporting tools.
• Identify opportunities to automate and improve efficiency across financial processes.
• Ensure the finance systems and processes support the needs of a fast-growing business.

Skills & Experience Required

• Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) – or QBE with extensive experience.
• Proven experience in a Financial Controller or senior finance role within an SME (financial services sector preferred).
• Strong technical understanding of management accounting, FCA returns, and financial reporting.
• Experience managing a small finance team.
• Excellent working knowledge of financial systems and Excel.
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to translate financial insights into strategic decisions.

Desirable

• Experience in the mortgage or financial services industry.
• Working knowledge of bespoke or CRM-linked finance systems.
• Experience liaising with external accountants and auditors.