Group Capital Controller

DFS Group; Doncaster; On-site; GBP 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Annual Bonus

Pension with company contributions

Health cash plan

Employee Assistance Programme

Job summary

DFS Group is recruiting a commercially minded Capital Controller to lead financial governance, reporting, planning and optimisation of the Group’s capital base. This role oversees accounting for leased assets across a nationwide property portfolio and fleet, delivering IFRS16-compliant reporting and robust capital insights.

You will partner with Property, Fleet and Finance leadership to model scenarios, challenge budgets, and support strategic capital decisions with strong governance and data

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with IFRS 16 expertise.
• Experience managing leased assets (property, fleet or similar).
• Experience in listed or highly regulated environment.
• Strong financial modelling, analytical and Excel skills.
• Understanding of fixed asset accounting and capital controls.
• Multi-site or multi-location experience in retail, logistics, hospitality or property-heavy sectors.
• Experience liaising with auditors and presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of lease negotiation or portfolio management.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end accounting for right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for c.200 leased properties and the Group’s leased vehicle fleet.
• Ensure IFRS 16 compliant monthly, half-yearly and year-end reporting and banking covenant metrics.
• Maintain lease schedules, asset registers and capital asset models; perform impairment reviews and sensitivity analyses.
• Support capex budgeting/forecasting for property and fleet, including refurbishments and life-cycle events.
• Drive strong financial controls and process improvements for capital data and lease accounting systems.

Skills

IFRS 16 knowledge

Financial modelling

Excel expertise

Audit liaison

Capital controls

Asset accounting

Multi-site experience

Stakeholder management

Education

ACCA/ACA/CIMA qualification in Accounting

Tools

Excel

Job description

At DFS Group, we’re proud to help people create spaces they love to live in. We’re home to DFS, Sofology, and The Sofa Delivery Company: three brands with their own personalities, brought together by a shared mission.

Behind our brands is a passionate Group team. From Finance and Technology to People, Marketing and Supply Chain, our Group functions power everything we do. They create the foundations that allow our brands to thrive, innovate and grow.

Whether you’re supporting our brands or serving our customers, the mindset that connects us means we expect more of ourselves and each other. It means every customer is our favourite, every voice is valued, and every interaction is one we’re proud of.

When you’re part of a community that shares your way of thinking, the wins feel bigger. The effort feels worth it. It’s a place where people stay because they feel valued, and find room to grow because they’re challenged.

About the role

We're looking for a commercially minded and technically strong Capital Controller to lead the financial governance, reporting, planning and optimisation of the Group’s capital base. This pivotal role will oversee the accounting and management of leased assets across a nationwide property portfolio and vehicle fleet, ensuring accurate financial reporting, compliance with accounting standards, and effective capital allocation to support business growth.

Working closely with Property, Fleet and senior Finance stakeholders, you'll provide valuable insight into asset performance, drive robust financial controls, and support strategic decision-making. This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced finance professional to make a significant impact within a listed business environment.

What you’ll be responsible for

Capital accounting and compliance

• Leading a team of two, responsible for the end-to-end accounting for right-of-use (ROU) assets and lease liabilities for c.200 leased properties and the Group’s leased vehicle fleet.
• Ensuring accurate and timely month-end, half-yearly, and year-end capital reporting in line with IFRS 16.
• Ensuring accurate and timely month-end reporting in line with IAS 17 (required for banking covenant metrics).
• Overseeing the maintenance of lease schedules, asset registers, and capital asset models.
• Performing impairment reviews and sensitivity analyses on leased assets.
• Liaising with external auditors to support statutory audits and audit queries.

Capital planning and budgeting

• Supporting the capital budgeting and forecasting process for property and fleet-related capex, including refurbishment, leasehold improvements, and fleet replacements.
• Overseeing budgeting of depreciation, lease interest, additions, disposals, and modifications.
• Monitoring capital expenditure against budget, highlighting risks, opportunities, and variances.
• Supporting strategic property and fleet decisions through robust financial modelling (lease vs buy analysis, renewal vs exit modelling, vehicle life cycle cost analysis).
• Managing capitalisation policies, asset thresholds, and useful economic life (UEL) assessments.

Control, systems and process improvement

• Maintaining strong financial controls over capital expenditure, disposals, lease modifications, and asset verification.
• Leading process improvements to increase accuracy, automation, and auditability of capital and lease data.
• Working with Finance Systems teams to optimise lease accounting tools and fixed asset modules.

Business partnering and stakeholder management

• Providing insights and advice to senior stakeholders on capital allocation and the impact of IFRS 16.
• Presenting clear, robust capital reporting packs to senior finance leadership.
• Interacting with Property, Fleet, and Legal teams on contract changes, lease renewals, and capital commitments.

We’re looking for someone who has

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualification in Accounting
• Strong technical accounting background including in-depth working knowledge of IFRS 16.
• Experience of managing leased assets (property, fleet, or similar).
• Experience in a listed or highly regulated environment.
• Excellent financial modelling, analytical, and Excel skills.
• Strong understanding of fixed asset accounting and capital controls.
• High attention to detail with strong organisational and planning skills.
• Experience in multi-site or multi-location businesses (retail, logistics, hospitality, or property-heavy sectors).
• Experience liaising with auditors and presenting to senior stakeholders.
• Knowledge of lease negotiation or portfolio management.

Room to grow

Everyone at DFS Group begins with a structured induction designed to help you understand our brands, our culture and how we work together.

From day one, you will have access to our online Learning Hub, filled with digital courses, tools and resources to support your development.

For leaders, we offer virtual workshops focused on building confident, capable leadership. We also run skills-based workshops to strengthen core capabilities across the business.

Colleagues can also undertake nationally recognised qualifications through our apprenticeship programmes, giving you the opportunity to gain external accreditation while you grow your career with us.

We believe great work deserves great support. That’s why we offer benefits that help you grow, feel looked after, and enjoy life beyond work. Here’s what we have to offer:

• 25 days holiday, plus the option to buy up to 5 more
• Car or cash allowance
• Annual Bonus
• Enhanced family leave, with up to 20 weeks at 90% pay after one year, or 10 weeks at 90% if you’ve been with us less than a year
• Health cash plan from £2 a month, with everyday cashback
• Employee Assistance Programme for support when you need it
• Extras like flu vouchers, menopause support and health check
• Pension with company contributions
• Life assurance for peace of mind
• Share save scheme to save each month and invest in our future
• Structured induction from day one
• Access to our Learning Hub and skills workshops
• Leadership development and apprenticeship programmes
• 30% colleague discount, plus 15% for friends and family, three times a year
• Discounts and cashback at hundreds of retailers
• Smart Tech scheme to buy tech up to £1,000 through salary sacrifice
• Cycle to Work scheme for bikes and accessories up to £1,500
• Electric vehicle lease scheme with Octopus to help you save and reduce your impact
• One paid volunteering day each year

Equal opportunities

We’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer, committed to building a workplace that reflects the communities we serve and makes room for different backgrounds, perspectives and experiences.

We turn that commitment into action through colleague networks, trusted partnerships and recognised accessibility initiatives such as the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower.

If your experience does not quite match every part of the role, we’d still love to hear from you.

If you need any adjustments or additional support during the application process, please contact our Talent Team and we will be happy to help.