Financial Controller

Ambition; London; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading specialist advisory firm seeks a Financial Controller for its London office. This pivotal role entails overseeing internal financial operations, regulatory compliance, and insolvency case support, while offering significant strategic oversight for business growth. An ideal candidate will hold an ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualification with proven financial control experience.

Benefits

Hybrid working - 1 or 2 days a week in the office

Referral scheme providing £200 shopping vouchers

Qualifications

• Qualified ACA, ACCA, or CIMA (or finalist).
• Experienced in financial controller/compliance roles in professional services.
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory frameworks (ICAEW, FCA, VAT).

Responsibilities

• Manage insolvency cashiering across all appointments.
• Prepare and maintain cashflow forecasts, monthly management accounts.
• Coordinate the onboarding of new clients and compliance checks.

Skills

Financial management

Regulatory compliance

Insolvency knowledge

Cashflow forecasting

Statutory returns preparation

Education

ACA

ACCA

CIMA

Job description

A leading specialist advisory firm with a long-standing reputation in restructuring, insolvency, and special situations is seeking a highly capable and experienced Financial Controller to join its London office. This is a pivotal role, offering the opportunity to shape and manage the internal financial operations of a growing and dynamic professional services firm.

About the Role

As Financial Controller, you will be responsible for the firm's internal financial management, regulatory compliance, and insolvency case support. You will work closely with partners, insolvency professionals, and external advisers to ensure the firm's financial systems and reporting are robust, compliant, and aligned with strategic goals.

This role combines hands-on financial control with strategic oversight, offering a unique opportunity to contribute to both operational excellence and long-term business performance.

Key Responsibilities Include:

• Manage insolvency cashiering across all appointments, including statutory bonding, VAT and Corporation Tax returns, and case bank accounts.
• Administer the IPS (Insolvency Practitioners System), ensuring accurate posting of disbursements and compliance uploads.
• Lead the transition to IPS Cloud, including data migration, testing, and team training.
• Raise and manage fee invoices and ensure timely submission of annual confirmation statements.
• Maintain firm bank accounts and oversee daily and monthly cash management.
• Prepare and maintain cashflow forecasts and monitor liquidity across the business.
• Produce monthly management accounts and support budgeting and financial reporting.
• Process and reconcile staff expenses and manage quarterly VAT returns.
• Liaise with external accountants on payroll, tax filings, and statutory accounts.
• Manage PI insurance schedules and support annual renewals.

Regulatory Compliance & Company Secretarial

• Maintain statutory registers and company books for the LLP and affiliated entities.
• Prepare and submit Companies House filings, board resolutions, and shareholder documentation.
• Ensure compliance with ICAEW, FCA, and other regulatory bodies, including submission of annual returns and regulatory filings.
• Oversee ICO registration and liaise with corporate service providers for non-UK entities.

Performance & Productivity Reporting

• Analyse monthly staff time records and provide insights to the partnership.
• Recommend improvements to time recording, productivity, and cost recovery processes.

Client Onboarding

• Coordinate the onboarding of new clients, including engagement documentation, compliance checks, and internal system setup.

Essential Qualifications & Experience:

• ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified (or finalist).
• Proven experience in a financial controller, compliance, or insolvency finance role within a professional services environment.
• Strong understanding of UK regulatory frameworks (ICAEW, FCA, VAT, Companies House).
• Demonstrated ability to prepare and interpret cashflow forecasts, management accounts, and statutory returns.

Hybrid working offered - 1 or two days a week in the office ideally

If this job isn't quite right for you, but you know someone who would be great at this role, why not take advantage of our referral scheme? We offer £200 in shopping vouchers for every referred candidate who we place in a role. Terms & Conditions Apply. https://www.ambition.co.uk/refer-a-friend