Financial Controller

Cedar; Oxford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Day rate £300-£400 inside IR35

Oxford on-site 4 days/week

Job summary

Cedar in Oxford is seeking an experienced Divisional Financial Controller to own the end-to-end financial close, reporting to the Divisional Finance Director and Group FC. Based in Oxford, you will ensure the accuracy of the divisional P&L and balance sheet, manage the month-end close, and provide performance commentary to support the investment plan.

The role requires ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification, extensive FC/Divisional experience in services, and strong governance with group policies.

Qualifications

• Fully qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA/CIMA.
• Experience in financial control within services or project-led environments.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and governance.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end divisional month-end close, including TB, journals, P&L and balance sheet sign-off.
• Review TB against prior month, budget and forecast and implement adjustments.
• Direct Management Accountants on revenue, costs and accruals; challenge accounting judgements.
• Provide commentary to Divisional Finance Director and Group FC.

Skills

Divisional Controller experience

Financial close & reporting

Revenue recognition

WIP & accruals

Stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Job description

Intro

A PE-backed, multi-divisional services group is seeking an experienced Divisional Financial Controller to take ownership of the end-to-end financial control and close process for a significant operating division.

The position will provide the Divisional Finance Director with accurate, reliable and commentary-ready financial information, enabling greater focus on commercial performance, operational decision-making and delivery against the investment plan.

The Company

A large, investor-backed services group operating through multiple divisions, entities and service lines. The business has a complex finance structure combining divisional teams with centralised reporting and FP&A capabilities.

The group is focused on strengthening financial control, standardising reporting processes and improving the quality, accuracy and pace of financial information across the organisation.

The Role

Based in Oxford and reporting directly to the Divisional Finance Director, with a dotted reporting line to the Group Financial Controller, you will be accountable for the accuracy and integrity of the divisional P&L and balance sheet. This is a visible role requiring strong financial control, technical accounting and stakeholder management capability.

Key responsibilities include:

• Managing the end-to-end divisional month-end close, including the trial balance, journals, P&L review and balance sheet sign-off
• Reviewing the trial balance against prior month, budget and forecast
• Identifying required adjustments and providing clear instructions to the General Accounting team
• Directing Management Accountants on revenue, direct cost and materials accruals
• Managing judgement-based accounting across revenue, WIP, direct costs and provisions
• Reviewing and challenging revenue recognition, accruals, provisions and other accounting judgements
• Leading the production and sign-off of the divisional results pack
• Submitting accurate financial information to Group Reporting within the agreed timetable
• Providing the Divisional Finance Director with commentary on actuals, run-rate performance and accounting movements
• Acting as the first point of escalation for accounting policy and process queries within the division
• Ensuring compliance with group accounting policies, processes and reporting standards
• Maintaining a dotted-line relationship with the Group Financial Controller on technical accounting, governance and close compliance
• Working with the FP&A Centre of Excellence to support management information, forecasting and planning cycles

Your Profile

• Fully qualified accountant, with ACA, ACCA or CIMA
• Significant Financial Controller or Divisional Controller experience
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, including revenue recognition, WIP, accruals and provisions
• Experience within services, outsourced services, contracting or project-led environments
• Comfortable operating within a fast-paced, PE-backed environment

Compensation & Benefits

This interim role offers a day rate of £300-400 per day inside IR35, dependent on experience, and is based in Oxford 4 days per week. The position provides the opportunity to take ownership of financial control for a significant division within a £500 million PE-backed services group, working closely with divisional and group finance leadership to improve reporting quality, control and close performance.