Group Financial Controller

Freight Investor Services Ltd.; City Of London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

An established industry player is seeking a dynamic Finance leader to drive global financial operations. This role is pivotal in ensuring efficiency and accuracy as the company expands. The ideal candidate will possess first-class analytical skills, a transformative mindset, and a strong understanding of financial services. You will lead a talented finance team, manage critical financial reporting, and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Join a forward-thinking firm that values innovation and offers a competitive salary along with perks such as private healthcare and life assurance. If you are ready to make an impact in a fast-paced environment, this opportunity is for you.

Benefits

Private healthcare

Life assurance scheme

Discretionary bonus

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) is essential.
• Strong leadership and Excel skills are crucial for this role.

Responsibilities

• Lead global financial operations and ensure accurate reporting.
• Manage payroll processes and compliance with regulations.
• Provide financial analysis and support to senior management.

Skills

CIMA

ACCA

Financial Services experience

Excel skills

Leadership skills

Problem-solving skills

Understanding of accounting standards

Education

Qualified accountant

Tools

Accounting software

Job description

London, United Kingdom | Posted on 18/12/2024

Freight InvestorServices (FIS) is a leading global brokerage of freight and commodities. We are the world’s largest broker on dry freight futures, and have a strong presence across the bulk commodities, metals, and energy markets. We were the first brokerage to trade in the cleared market on iron ore and later coking coal futures, we also maintain a strong position in broking steel futures on all exchanges, as well as fuel oil, base metals, fertilisers, and tanker freight. We are proud of our innovative ethos, having been first mover on a number of products, most recently on the cobalt and air freight futures markets. Not only do we provide excellent brokerage services, but also data services via our App, FIS Live, other data services, as well as education to help those entering new markets.

We have expanded via our network of trading associates and branch offices to offer coverage of derivative and physical shipping markets in London, Houston, New York, Dubai, Mumbai, Athens, Copenhagen, Singapore, and Shanghai. Through our global network, FIS offers full brokerage services, trade execution and in-depth market intelligence and data for freight and commodities, as well as providing physical ship and cargo services. Our expertise in managing credit and counterparty risk provides a vital competitive advantage while enabling clients to trade with confidence.

Job Description

THE ROLE

We're searching for an outcome-focused and highly effective Finance leader to join our growing dynamic and fast-moving global brokerage. The person in this role will lead our finance team and will be a key driver ensuring the team output is efficient and accurate as our business expands globally. This role requires first-class skills in communication, organization, finance, regulatory reporting and executive presence / corporate governance. Ideal candidates will have first-class analytical skills and a transformative mindset, continually looking to improve and automate processes.

1. Lead all global financial operations within the company including billing, A/R, A/P, general ledger, intercompany balances and other monthly journals and accruals for related multi-entities companies in the holding structure and a small charity.
2. Responsible for month end, year-end close and auditing, the preparation of timely monthly management financial statements and all regulatory reporting such as monthly, quarterly and annual balance sheet and income statements for multi-entities.
3. Establish and maintain financial controls, policies and procedures for the company, ensuring quality control over financial transactions and financial reporting.
4. Manage all reporting deadlines for US and UK regulated entities are met (NFA and FCA returns) and facilitate any audits and queries that follow.
5. Manage and comply with local, state, and federal government reporting requirements and tax filings in the UK and the US.
6. Audit current payroll processes and global payroll providers; automate and streamline processes where possible assuring adherence to regulatory requirements; explore global automation to seamlessly integrate with HR platform.
7. Oversight of the payroll process for employees globally and Charity, including relationship with external parties, ensuring accurate processing of payroll including new hires, leavers, benefits, variable payments and pension.
8. Responsible for accounting for front office variable bonus awards, and ownership of all GL accounts relating to broker compensation.
9. Calculation of all variable bonus accruals across the company, ensuring compensation ratios are in line with bonus schedules, including full reconciliation of brokers’ costs included in the GL to those in bonus accrual calculations.
10. Ensure all general ledger entries relating to broker compensation are booked and reconciled.
11. Provide a full variance analysis of accruals vs cash and equity awarded to facilitate senior management's adjustments of accrual levels.
12. Deep dive of accounting system and processes and make recommendations.
13. Oversee the financial planning, budgeting and forecasting processes. Providing insight and variances reporting.
14. Provide commercial and strategic support to senior management and directors through preparation and presentation of regular board packs.
15. Challenge assumptions and decision making where appropriate and provide financial analysis on guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.
16. Assist and support with responsibilities for other entities including those in Shanghai and Singapore as required.
17. Manage Accounts Clerk and Management Accountant, providing feedback, coaching and development.
18. Complete any mandatory training required by the company and required deadlines.
19. Perform any other reasonable duties the company may require.

TECHNICAL / ROLE SKILLS

1. Qualified accountant (CIMA, ACCA or equivalent) – essential.
2. Financial Services industry experience and understanding of the markets in which the company operates – essential.
3. Strong leadership, mentoring and influencing skills; drive productivity in team – essential.
4. First class Excel skills and comfortable manipulating large quantities of data – essential.
5. Develop and improve efficient and well-controlled processes – essential.
6. Excellent problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed decisions by translating complex financial data into meaningful insights and recommendations - essential.
7. Willingness and capability to learn all functionalities in-house systems.
8. Good understanding of new accounting standards and principles - essential.
9. Confident and works well in team – essential.

Competitive salary and discretionary bonus.
Private healthcare and life assurance scheme.