Financial Controller

Felbridge Partners; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Felbridge Partners is seeking a Financial Controller to become its first dedicated finance hire, working closely with the CFO. This is a rare opportunity to build the finance function from the ground up in a lean, fast-moving environment.

You will own corporate accounting, regulatory compliance, budgeting and forecasting, and will lead AI-driven automation of finance processes while shaping finance policy as the company scales.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CPA or equivalent.
• 3–5 years of relevant industry experience, ideally in lean/high-growth environments.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and analytical thinking.
• Experience with AI/automation in finance is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Own the full accounting cycle including month-end close, journal entries, reconciliations and reporting.
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with relevant accounting standards.
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, and cash flow monitoring.
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls and accounting policies.
• Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing rolling forecasts.
• Build and maintain financial models to support planning and decision-making.
• Deliver variance analysis and management reporting to the CFO and leadership team.
• Provide financial insights to support strategic and operational decisions.
• Identify opportunities to automate manual finance workflows using AI tools and modern finance systems.

Skills

Financial analysis

Month-end close

Cash flow management

Internal controls

Strategic thinking

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA/CPA

Job description

Our client is looking for a Financial Controller to become their first dedicated finance hire, working side-by-side with the CFO. This is a rare opportunity to build the finance function from the ground up in a lean, fast-moving environment. The Financial Controller will take full ownership of corporate accounting, regulatory compliance, and budgeting/forecasting, while also playing a central role in designing and implementing AI-driven tools and systems to automate manual finance and operational processes.

This is a broad, high-impact, all-encompassing role suited to someone who wants to shape how finance operates as the company scales, not just maintain existing processes.

Key Responsibilities

Corporate Accounting

• Own the full accounting cycle, including month-end and year-end close, journal entries, reconciliations, and reporting
• Prepare accurate and timely financial statements in accordance with relevant accounting standards
• Manage accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll coordination, and cash flow monitoring
• Maintain and strengthen internal controls and accounting policies

Regulatory & Compliance

• Ensure compliance with tax filings, statutory reporting, and other regulatory requirements
• Act as the primary point of contact for auditors, tax advisors, and regulatory bodies
• Stay current on changes in accounting standards and regulatory requirements relevant to the business

Budgeting & Forecasting

• Lead the annual budgeting process and ongoing rolling forecasts
• Build and maintain financial models to support business planning and decision-making
• Deliver variance analysis and management reporting to the CFO and leadership team
• Provide financial insights to support strategic and operational decisions

Systems & AI Implementation

• Identify opportunities to automate manual finance and operational workflows using AI tools and modern finance systems
• Evaluate, implement, and optimize finance software, AI tools, and process automation solutions
• Build scalable systems and processes that can support the company through its next stage of growth
• Champion a culture of continuous improvement and efficiency within the finance function

Partnership with the CFO

• Act as a true thought partner to the CFO across all finance matters
• Take ownership of projects end-to-end with minimal oversight
• Help establish finance policies, processes, and reporting cadences from scratch

About You

• Qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA, or equivalent)
• 3-5 years of relevant industry experience, ideally including some exposure to a lean or high-growth environment
• Strong technical accounting knowledge combined with commercial and analytical thinking
• Advanced systems skills, with genuine enthusiasm for using AI and automation tools to improve finance processes
• Comfortable operating with a high degree of autonomy and ownership in a small team
• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to work closely and effectively with a CFO and senior stakeholders
• Highly organized, detail-oriented, and adaptable, with the ability to move seamlessly between hands-on execution and strategic thinking
• A builder's mindset. Excited by the opportunity to shape a finance function rather than inherit a fully built one