Financial Controller | Ai | Series A

Zanda; Greater London; On-site; GBP 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Zanda, a London-based executive search partner, is seeking a senior finance leader to own the end-to-end finance function for a rapidly growing AI-enabled start-up. You will drive automation, build scalable processes and lead multi-geo reporting and compliance in a hands-on role.

You will oversee balance sheet, management accounts, board packs, investor reporting and VAT/R&D filings, shaping finance infrastructure and dashboards as the business scales.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with ACA/ACCA or equivalent qualification.
• Experience designing and deploying AI-driven or automated finance processes.
• Strong data and modelling skills with ability to architect solutions with light technical support.
• Experience in multi-currency accounting and group consolidations.
• Comfortable managing VAT, annual accounts, R&D claims and statutory filings across entities.
• Experience preparing management accounts, board packs, investor reporting and cash flow forecasts.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end finance function for a fast-growing start-up.
• Lead automation of routine finance processes and ensure oversight where needed.
• Manage monthly balance sheet reconciliations, management accounts, and reporting.
• Oversee cash flow forecasting and statutory compliance across multiple geographies.

Skills

AI-driven finance

Data modelling

Multi-currency accounting

Group consolidations

Statutory compliance

Management accounts reporting

Education

ACA/ACCA or equivalent

Job description

Zanda is an Executive search partner that works exclusively with high growth start-ups and scale-ups as they look to scale their business with senior talent. Zanda partners with VCs, Founders, CEOs, CFOs and CPOs when it comes to successfully delivering on key senior appointments.

WHO IS THE BUSINESS

We’re supporting a London-based AI start-up operating at the cutting edge of data-driven growth. Backed by a leading investment fund, the business is growing rapidly and is targeting more than £7m in revenue this year.

AI is embedded across the business, with the team having adopted the technology early to transform how they operate and scale. They are now looking to bring that same mindset to the finance function, using AI and automation to build a smarter, more efficient and scalable approach to finance.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

As the No. 1 in Finance, you’ll own and lead the end-to-end finance function for this fast-growing start-up. You’ll combine hands‑on financial leadership with technology and automation to build a scalable, efficient finance function from the ground up.

You’ll build and manage AI-driven finance agents to automate routine processes such as billing, payment runs, payroll and VAT, acting as the human‑in‑the‑loop where judgement and oversight are required. You’ll own monthly balance sheet reconciliations, management accounts, board packs, investor reporting and cash flow forecasting, alongside key compliance responsibilities including VAT returns, annual accounts, R&D claims and statutory filings across multiple geographies.

As the business grows, you’ll also lead process improvements, system migrations and the development of finance dashboards and reporting infrastructure. This is a hands‑on role with significant scope to shape how finance operates and to use AI and technology to create a modern, scalable finance function.

EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent)
• Demonstrable experience designing and deploying AI-driven or automated finance processes
• Strong data and modelling skills; able to architect solutions with light technical support
• Multi-currency accounting and group consolidations experience
• Comfortable managing statutory compliance across multiple entities: VAT, annual accounts, R&D claims and filings
• Experience preparing management accounts, board packs, investor reporting and cash flow forecasts
• Proven ability to operate autonomously in a fast‑moving, scaling business
• Prior exposure to a group or portfolio structure is advantageous