Financial Controller - Inside Ir35 - London

Adecco; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading recruitment agency is seeking a Financial Controller to join the financial leadership team. This hybrid role involves leading financial accounting and compliance while managing relationships across departments. The ideal candidate will hold a degree and be a CCAB qualified accountant. Strong experience in professional services and excellent communication skills are essential for success in this role, which offers a daily rate of £500 for an initial 6-month duration.

Qualifications

• CCAB qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) required.
• Experience in complex professional services essential.
• Higher Education sector experience desirable.
• Strong business partnering and scenario modelling essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead the annual audit process and prepare financial statements.
• Oversee all tax matters, including VAT.
• Manage cash flow, investments, and performance reporting.
• Develop financial literacy and training programmes for non-finance staff.

Skills

Advanced financial planning

Budgeting

Forecasting

Technical skills in accounting

Problem-solving skills

Communication skills

Managing income and expenditure

Costing

Pricing

Risk management

Education

Degree-level education

CCAB qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA)

Job description

Overview

Financial Controller

Rate - £500 (a day)

Duration - 6 Months (Initially)

Location - London (Hybrid)

Ir35 - Inside (Must use an umbrella company)

Job Purpose
As a key member of the University's financial leadership team, you will lead on financial accounting, services, tax, treasury, and financial controls. This role ensures regulatory compliance, maintains financial integrity, and supports strategic financial management through expert guidance and strong operational leadership.

Responsibilities

• Leadership & Business Partnering: Build strong working relationships across departments.
• Leadership & Business Partnering: Promote a culture of customer-focused service delivery.
• Leadership & Business Partnering: Work collaboratively with Finance Business Partners and the Head of Financial Planning.
• Financial Accounting & Audit: Lead the annual audit process and prepare financial statements in line with UK GAAP, IFRS, and SORP.
• Financial Accounting & Audit: Act as primary liaison for internal and external auditors.
• Financial Controls: Maintain and implement the University\'s financial control framework.
• Financial Controls: Deliver training and guidance to ensure compliance across departments.
• Taxation: Oversee all tax matters, including VAT, and manage relationships with external tax advisors.
• Treasury & Endowment Management: Manage cash flow, investments, and performance reporting.
• Treasury & Endowment Management: Oversee relationships with investment managers and banking providers.
• Financial Services Operations: Lead the Financial Services Unit (Revenue and Payments Units).
• Financial Services Operations: Ensure accurate processing of invoices, tuition fees, staff/student expenses, and supplier payments.
• Financial Services Operations: Implement KPIs to monitor service efficiency.
• Research Finance: Oversee post-award research funding support and compliance.
• Finance Systems & Processes: Oversee financial systems development and accounting structures.
• Finance Systems & Processes: Ensure strong reconciliation and compliance frameworks.
• Finance Training: Develop financial literacy and training programmes for non-finance staff.
• Finance Training: Support professional development within the finance team.
• General: Contribute to the effective running of the Finance Division.
• General: Deputise for the CFO when required.

Qualifications

• Degree-level education
• CCAB qualified accountant (e.g. ACA, ACCA, CIMA) - Essential
• Experience in complex professional services - Essential
• Higher Education sector experience - Desirable
• Strong business partnering and scenario modelling - Essential

Skills & Knowledge

• Advanced financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting
• Strong technical skills across financial and management accounting
• Expertise in costing, pricing, and risk
• Excellent problem-solving and communication skills
• Ability to manage both I&E and balance sheet - Essential