Financial Controller

Amber Labs; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Private medical insurance

Remote-first working

Pension contributions

Perkbox

Job summary

Amber Labs, a cutting-edge UK technology consultancy, seeks a hands-on financial controller/manager to oversee accounting, reporting, and compliance. You will drive faster close cycles, lead year-end audits, and manage end-to-end payroll in collaboration with HR and outsourced providers.

Reporting to the Head of Finance, you’ll work in a small team, shape controls, and use AI to enhance workflows. The role requires customer focus and tech-enabled efficiency in a fast-moving SME environment.

Qualifications

• Played dominant role in year end audits.
• VAT accounting and reporting.
• Proficient with accounting software and financial reporting tools (ideally Xero, Telleroo).
• Comfortable working in fast-paced SME environment.
• Familiarity with professional services industry.
• Practical examples of using AI to improve controls, efficiency and reporting in the finance function.
• Experience of financial system migrations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end accounting function ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Accelerate month end close procedure from 10 days to 2-3 days.
• Lead the year end audit process for the financial year ending August 2026.
• Run end-to-end payroll process, collaborating with HR, operations, and outsourced payroll bureau.
• Ensure HMRC compliance on VAT, PAYE and payroll returns.
• Provide management team with monthly management information pack featuring the 3 financial statements, with variance analysis and commentary.
• Support finance ops manager on continuous improvements to controls and reporting.

Skills

VAT accounting

Year end audits

AI in finance

Xero

Telleroo

Payroll processing

Tools

Xero

Telleroo

Job description

At Amber Labs, we are a cutting-edge UK and European technology consultancy that prioritises empowering autonomy, promoting experimentation, and facilitating rapid learning to provide exceptional value to our clients. Our company culture is centred around collaboration, where all colleagues, regardless of their role, work together to minimise risk and shorten delivery times. Our team consists of highly-skilled cross-functional consultants, analysts, and support staff.

Your Role

Amber Labs is at an exciting stage of growth, and we are seeking a financial controller [or step up financial manager] to manage financial accounting and compliance, whilst driving improvements in reporting, control and efficiency. Reporting to the Head of Finance, this is a 'hands on' role with responsibility ranging from month end close to leading the year end audit, end to end payroll management and delivery of timely, accurate management accounts to internal and external parties. The role sits within a small team. There are no direct reports currently, as the finance operations manager also reports to the Head of Finance. The ideal candidate will be able to proactively address the needs a fast moving tech business, customer centric and keen on using technology to enhance workflows.

Responsibilities

• Lead the end-to-end accounting function ensuring accuracy and compliance.
• Accelerate month end close procedure from 10 days to 2-3 days.
• Lead the year end audit process for the financial year ending August 2026.
• Run end-to-end payroll process, collaborating with HR, operations, and outsourced payroll bureau.
• Ensure HMRC compliance on VAT, PAYE and payroll returns.
• Provide management team with monthly management information pack featuring the 3 financial statements, with variance analysis and commentary of key movements, risks, opportunities and exceptional items.
• Support finance ops manager on continuous improvements to controls, cross functional processes, data storage and reporting.
• Use AI to enhance controls and efficiencies in the finance function.
• Research, validate and make recommendation for accounting software that meets the needs of a company of this size, scale and trajectory.
• Lender reporting and covenants management.
• Work closely with head of finance on re-financing initiatives/ data room management.

Your Skills and Experience

• Played dominant role in year end audits.
• VAT accounting and reporting.
• Proficient with accounting software and financial reporting tools [ideally Xero, Telleroo]
• Comfortable working in fast-paced SME environment.
• Familiarity with professional services industry.
• Practical examples of using AI to improve controls, efficiency and reporting in the finance function.
• Experience of financial system migrations

What We Offer

• 25 days annual leave plus public holidays, so you can actually switch off
• Private medical insurance with Bupa
• Remote-first working with a base at Liverpool Street when you want it
• A personal training budget to invest in your growth, however that looks for you
• A very generous referral scheme, because the best people tend to know the best people
• Perkbox, giving you access to hundreds of perks and discounts across eating out, shopping, wellness, entertainment and more
• EV scheme after one year of service, supporting you in making the switch to electric
• Regular team socials with a group of people who genuinely enjoy working together
• Employer pension contributions
• And most importantly, the chance to be part of something from the ground up. Amber Labs is growing fast and the people joining now will shape what this business becomes

Additional Information

Please be advised that, at this time, we are unable to consider candidates who require sponsorship or hold a visa of any type.