Financial Controller - Part Time 6 months

EA First; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Part time

Job summary

EA First is hiring a Financial Controller in Cambridge to lead the preparation for its first statutory audit and strengthen financial controls. This role involves working with the finance team on key responsibilities such as maintaining compliance with UK GAAP and overseeing the preparation of the R&D tax credit claim.

The ideal candidate should have experience in a scale-up environment and be available for 3 days a week for an initial 6-month period.

Qualifications

• Experience operating in a scale up environment.
• Ability to commit to 3 days a week for 6 months or more.

Responsibilities

• Lead preparation of audit file and schedules for FY2026.
• Prepare and maintain judgements and estimates log.
• Review accounting policies for compliance with UK GAAP.
• Oversee preparation of R&D tax credit claim.

Skills

Financial controls

UK GAAP compliance

Audit preparation

Revenue recognition

VAT governance

R&D tax credit claim

Job description

Having recently completed a Series A funding round, our client is entering a critical phase of financial maturity, including its first statutory audit for the year ending 31 December 2026. We are looking for a Financial Controller 3 days a week for an initial 6 months period. You will work alongside the existing finance team to strengthen financial controls and professionalise core financial processes.

Cutting edge technology business based in Cambridge.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation of the audit file, including all schedules, reconciliations, and supporting workings required for the FY2026 statutory audit
• Prepare and maintain a comprehensive judgements and estimates log covering all key areas of accounting judgement including revenue recognition, grant income, R&D capitalisation, and share-based payments
• Review and redraft accounting policies to ensure full compliance with UK GAAP (FRS 102), including grant income, turnover, deferred tax, and share-based payments
• Review and resolve the revenue recognition treatment for future Government contracts
• Review the VAT recovery position on share issue costs and advise on any exposure
• Oversee the preparation of the R&D tax credit claim for FY2025, ensuring qualifying expenditure is tracked by project and technical narratives are appropriately supported
• Review the deferred tax position and ensure accounting policy disclosures are updated accordingly
• Prepare inter-company reconciliations as part of the month-end close process

Financial Controls and Processes

• Implement a formal month-end close process with defined timetables and ownership
• Develop a VAT governance framework

We are looking for a candidate which experience of operating in a scale up environment who can commit to 3 days a week for the next 6 months and possibly beyond.