Financial Controller

ordnancesurvey; Southampton; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Ordnance Survey is seeking an experienced Financial Controller to lead central finance, operations and reporting from Southampton with hybrid working.

As a senior finance leader, you will drive governance, integrity of financial information and the transformation of processes, systems and controls, including Dynamics 365 Finance. You will develop teams, partner with stakeholders, ensure audit readiness and deliver high-quality statutory accounts and financial insight for sound decision making.

Qualifications

• Has a recognised professional accountancy qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)
• Significant experience in senior financial control, group accounting or financial reporting within a complex organisation
• Strong track record of leading and developing high-performing finance teams
• Deep technical accounting expertise: statutory accounts, audits and financial compliance
• Experience with finance systems, data governance, automation and digital transformation
• Ability to influence and build relationships with a wide range of stakeholders
• Passionate about continuous improvement and modernising finance

Responsibilities

• Lead Central Finance teams to deliver high-quality financial reporting and governance
• Own OS's financial control framework and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements
• Oversee core accounting activities, month-end/year-end close and statutory reporting
• Champion finance systems transformation, automation and AI-enabled controls
• Build strong relationships with stakeholders and provide trusted financial advisement

Skills

Leadership

Financial Control

Financial Reporting

Governance

Technical Accounting

Audit Readiness

Automation & AI

Stakeholder Management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Dynamics 365 Finance

Excel

Job description

Financial Controller

Full time

£ 79,605.00 - £ 92,873.00 (dependent on experience)

Hybrid working

Southampton

We're excited to share an opportunity for an experienced and ambitious finance leader to join Ordnance Survey as our Financial Controller. This is a senior leadership role within Finance, responsible for leading central finance, financial operations and reporting, whilst ensuring the integrity, reliability and compliance of our financial information. The role offers a unique opportunity to shape the future of our finance function, strengthen governance and controls, and lead the transformation of finance processes, systems and capabilities.

Working closely with the Finance leadership team and stakeholders across the organisation, you'll play a critical role in ensuring robust financial stewardship, maintaining shareholder confidence and supporting sound decision-making through high-quality financial reporting, governance and control.

About the role

As Financial Controller, you'll lead three core finance teams covering Technical Accounting, Financial Operations and Management Reporting. You will be a strong and capable people leader, who builds a high-performing culture focused on financial excellence, accountability and continuous improvement. You'll provide visible leadership across finance, ensuring that the function continues to provide a trusted foundation for decision-making across the organisation.

You'll be accountable for maintaining a strong control environment, delivering accurate and compliant financial reporting, ensuring audit readiness and embedding effective financial policies and processes across OS. However, in addition, you'll play a leading role in modernising finance through improved systems, data governance, automation and AI-enabled controls, helping to build a future-focused finance function.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who enjoys loves leading and developing finance teams, whilst also being able to lead transformational change and operational excellence within a complex financial environment.

Key responsibilities

Leadership and Team Development

Lead and develop the Central Finance teams, creating a high-performing, inclusive and accountable culture that consistently delivers excellent outcomes. You'll provide clear direction and leadership, develop future capability across the function and create an environment where people can grow, collaborate and continuously improve whilst delivering outstanding service to the business.

Financial Control and Governance

Take ownership of OS's financial control framework, ensuring the effective operation of accounting policies, controls, governance processes and compliance activities. You'll maintain a robust control environment that supports sound decision-making, financial integrity and compliance with statutory, regulatory and shareholder requirements.

Finance Operations and Reporting

Lead all core accounting activities, including financial operations, month-end and year-end close, statutory reporting and financial compliance. Provide expert technical accounting leadership across the organization, overseeing the preparation of statutory accounts, leading the external audit activity and ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards and legislation.

Finance Systems, Transformation and Innovation

Drive continuous improvement across finance systems, processes and data governance. As business owner for Dynamics 365 Finance, you'll shape and deliver a roadmap that improves reporting integrity, automation, control effectiveness and operational efficiency, while exploring the appropriate use of AI-enabled tools and digital technologies to enhance finance performance and insight.

Stakeholder Leadership

Build strong relationships across Finance and the wider organization, acting as a trusted adviser on financial control, governance and technical accounting matters. You'll communicate complex issues clearly, provide confidence and challenge where appropriate, and ensure stakeholders have access to reliable financial information that supports effective decision-making and organisational success.

About you

• Has a recognised professional accountancy qualification (preferably ACA, ACCA or CIMA)
• Has significant experience in senior financial control, group accounting or financial reporting roles within a complex organisation
• Has a strong track record of leading and developing high-performing finance teams
• Brings deep technical accounting expertise and experience delivering statutory accounts, audits and financial compliance requirements
• Understands finance systems and data governance, with experience of driving improvement, automation and digital transformation within financeIs a confident and credible leader who can influence, challenge and build strong relationships across a wide range of stakeholders
• Is passionate about continuous improvement and committed to building a modern,