Financial Controller - 6 month Fixed Term Contract

Strata; Greater London; On-site; GBP 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days annual leave

Birthday day off

Private Health Insurance

Workplace pension scheme

Death in service

Cycle to work scheme

Hybrid working arrangement

Regular social events

Job summary

Strata, a fast-growing brand experience agency, is seeking a Financial Controller on a 6-month fixed-term contract in London with hybrid working. You will lead financial governance, support project profitability, and provide timely management information to leadership teams across multiple entities.

The role requires fully qualified accounting credentials (ACA/ACCA/CIMA), strong Excel capabilities, and experience in multi-entity, project-based environments.

Qualifications

• Proven experience as Financial Controller or senior financial reporting role.
• Fully qualified ACA/ACCA/CIMA.
• Experience in project-based, agency, events or production-led environments.

Responsibilities

• Own the integrity of the agency's financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Lead the month-end close process and prepare financial reports (P&L, balance sheet, cash flow).
• Oversee financial control of live event projects including WIP, accruals and revenue recognition.
• Manage cash flow forecasting, invoicing, credit control and working capital.
• Own finance systems and drive improvements in reporting accuracy and automation.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Stakeholder management

Financial reporting

Multi-entity experience

Revenue recognition

Project-based accounting

Education

Fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

Tools

Excel

Financial systems

Job description

Job Title: Financial Controller - 6-month Fixed Term Contract

Location: London - Hybrid (plus travel as required)

We are Strata!

Imagine being part of a fast and exciting brand experience agency whose clients include specialists in new technology, creators of some of the most stunning electric vehicles on the planet, financial institutions, and global leaders in pharmaceutical solutions. As an agency, we elevate these brands and make them heard through immersive and memorable virtual and face 2 face experiences.

As a people-first business, we encourage ambition, support and reward. We're always listening and open to your ideas, just as we do with our clients.

Our name? It's Strata, an agency on a mission to be the very best. This means we always want to hear from the very best creative and intelligent souls who genuinely believe that every moment matters.

Job Overview

The Financial Controller is responsible for the financial integrity, control, and reporting of the events agency. In a business driven by complex, project-based delivery, fluctuating workloads, and tight margins, this role ensures robust financial governance while enabling informed commercial decision-making.

The Financial Controller oversees all core accounting functions, maintains strong internal controls, and provides accurate, timely financial insight to support leadership, delivery teams, and stakeholders.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control & Governance

• Own the integrity of the agency's financial records, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and internal policies.
• Maintain and continually improve financial controls, processes, and risk management.
• Ensure accurate balance sheet management, including reconciliations, accruals, prepayments, and provisions.
• Support audit processes and act as key contact for external auditors and advisors.

Reporting & Month-End Close

• Lead the month-end close process, ensuring timely and accurate management accounts.
• Prepare financial reports including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, and variance analysis.
• Ensure consistent and accurate reporting across projects, departments, and entities (where applicable).
• Support board, investor, or stakeholder reporting as required.

Project & Event Financial Oversight

• Oversee financial control of live event projects, including WIP, accruals, and revenue recognition.
• Ensure correct treatment of event deposits, advances, milestone billing, and final reconciliations.
• Work closely with Project Managers and Client Services to ensure financial accuracy and margin visibility.
• Identify financial risks related to project delivery and elevate appropriately.

Cash Flow & Working Capital

• Own cash flow forecasting and monitoring.
• Oversee invoicing, credit control, and debtor management to minimise DSO.
• Ensure supplier payments are managed accurately and efficiently.
• Support working capital optimisation across the business.

Systems, Process & Control Improvement

• Own finance systems and ensure effective integration with project, CRM, and operational platforms.
• Improve reporting accuracy, automation, and efficiency.
• Ensure data quality, audit trails, and documentation standards are maintained.

Team Leadership & Business Partnering

• Line-manage and develop the finance team, setting clear objectives and performance standards.
• Act as a trusted finance partner to senior leadership and delivery teams.
• Support budgeting and forecasting processes in partnership with FP&A.
• Provide clear financial guidance to non-finance stakeholders.

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate the below experience

• Proven experience as a Financial Controller or senior financial reporting role.
• Fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA).
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and hands-on financial control experience.
• Experience in a project-based, agency, professional services, events, or production-led environment.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience with financial systems.
• Confidence working with senior stakeholders and advising on financial risk.
• Experience in multi-entity, high-growth, or private-equity backed businesses.
• Exposure to revenue recognition in project-based or service businesses.
• Experience improving finance controls, systems, or operating models.

• Detail-oriented with a strong control mindset.
• Calm, confident, and authoritative under pressure.
• Commercially aware with a practical approach to problem-solving.
• Collaborative leader who combines rigour with approachability.

Employee Benefits

• 25 days annual leave, plus usual Bank Holidays
• Birthday day off
• Private Health Insurance*
• Workplace pension scheme
• Death in service scheme
• Cycle to work scheme
• Hybrid working arrangement
• Regular social events

*Upon successful completion of a 6-month probation period

Our Principles

We are a people-first brand experience agency with a set of core principles that guide our every action by measuring:

A win for the client

Client success is at the forefront of everything we do. We measure our success by the impact we make for our clients. We strive to exceed your expectations, delivering moments that matter with results that matter.

A win for the company

We believe in long-term partnerships and sustainable growth. When your business prospers, so does ours. Our commitment to excellence and innovation means we're always ahead of the curve, offering you the best brand experiences.

A win for the team

Our team is the lifeblood of our agency. We celebrate diversity, promote collaboration, and foster an inclusive culture where every team member feels valued and empowered. When our team thrives, their passion and dedication is reflected in everything we deliver.

A win for you

Whether you're engaging us for your events, already fostering a career at Strata, or considering one, our goal is to create a win for you. We're dedicated to providing our employees with an enriching workplace that supports their growth and well-being. For our clients, a win means achieving your objectives and making your brand shine.

A win for the planet

We are committed to making environmentally responsible choices in our work. We recognise our responsibility to minimise our impact on the planet and contribute to a sustainable future. From eco-friendly event practices to conscious resource management, we aim to create events that are a win for the environment.

Diversity at Strata

At Strata, people are at the heart of who we are.

We recognise and value the diverse and unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds that each individual brings.

We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels respected, heard, valued, and empowered. We strive to create an innovative, creative, and inclusive environment where all employees and applicants can thrive.

We welcome applications from all suitably qualified individuals, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital or civil partnership status, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. Recruitment decisions are based solely on merit, qualifications, and business needs.

Embracing diversity isn't just our goal, it's our strength, driving us towards a more inclusive future.

https://stratacreate.com/