Financial Controller

Robertson Bell; London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading community-oriented housing association in London seeks a Financial Controller to reshape its finance function. The successful candidate will work closely with the Finance Director, manage financial operations, and contribute to strategic planning, making this a pivotal role with potential progression to Finance Director.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with strong technical knowledge of financial reporting.
• Experience in social housing finance and management accounting.
• Strong Excel skills and familiarity with financial planning tools.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the development of financial plans and budgets.
• Drive improvements in financial reporting and performance management.
• Mentor and lead a high-performing finance team.

Skills

Financial reporting

Management accounting

Business planning

Regulatory compliance

Problem-solving

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Continuous improvement mindset

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA)

Tools

Excel

BRIXX

Job description

East End Homes are partnering exclusively with Robertson Bell in their search for a permanent Financial Controller. East End Homes, is a locally based and community-led housing association in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. This year East End Homes is celebrating its 20th anniversary. In 2005 residents of five estates across Tower Hamlets voted for their homes and communities to be transferred to the newly established social landlord. Today, its 120-strong team manages over 3,900 homes with local offices in each neighbourhood.

The newly created Financial Controller position offers a rare opportunity for a technically strong, ambitious, and commercially aware finance professional to play a key role in reshaping East End’s finance function and influencing decision-making at a senior level. The Financial Controller will be a member of the Senior Management Team and this role is seen as a natural stepping stone toward Finance Director level within the sector.

The Role:

• Work closely with the Finance Director and Executive Team to support strategic planning and organisational transformation.
• Oversee the development and delivery of Eastend Homes’ long-term financial plans, annual budgets, and business modelling (including BRIXX).
• Deliver and embed a proactive finance business partnering approach across the organisation, influencing decision-making and performance management.
• Drive improvements to financial reporting, insight, and analysis, delivering value across the organisation.
• Coordinate the production of our financial plans and reports including monthly management accounts, the annual statutory accounts, forecasts and the budget.
• Oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensuring sound internal controls, process improvement, and compliance with relevant regulations (FRS102, SORP, RSH).
• Manage cash flow forecasting, covenant compliance, and other treasury responsibilities, with support available for professional treasury qualifications if desired.
• Play a leading role in mentoring, developing, and embedding a high-performing, collaborative finance team (c.3–4 staff).
• Actively contribute to the Senior Management Team and support wider change initiatives across the business.

The Organisation:

East End Homes has made significant progress in stabilising its operations and strengthening its governance. With the appointment of a highly experienced new CEO and completion of key commitments to the Regulator of Social Housing, the organisation is now focused on long-term sustainability, performance improvement, and resident impact. The recent appointment of an Interim FD has brought further structure and capability to the finance function, and this Financial Controller hire will be a cornerstone of building a modern, resilient, and insight-led finance team.

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA/CIPFA).
• Strong technical knowledge of financial and statutory reporting including FRS102 and Housing SORP.
• Demonstrable experience in social housing finance including business planning, management accounting and regulatory compliance.
• Experience of delivering improvements in management reporting, financial controls, and/or business partnering.
• A confident communicator with excellent interpersonal skills and a track record of engaging with and challenging senior stakeholders.
• Digitally confident with strong Excel skills and familiarity with financial planning tools (e.g., BRIXX).
• Forward-thinking and inquisitive, with a continuous improvement mindset and strong problem-solving ability.
• Experience of coaching or leading teams and ability to develop others.

This role will be based at East End Homes’ head office in Tower Hamlets, with travel between estate-based local offices as required. The closing date for applications is 6 th July with interviews taking place week commencing 21 st July (first stage) and final interviews scheduled for week commencing 28 th July.

Applications will be reviewed continuously before the closing date. Please apply via our exclusive search partner Robertson Bell.