Group Financial Controller

The Thinking Traveller; City Of London; On-site; GBP 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A villa rental company in London seeks a Group Financial Controller to oversee the operational finance function. The ideal candidate will manage audits, ensure compliance with tax regulations, and lead a finance team. Applicants should possess strong technical accounting skills and at least 5 years of relevant experience. This is a full-time, permanent position, offering dynamic challenges in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• 5 years post-qualification experience in a similar role and commercial environment.
• Demonstrated strong technical management of group accounting and consolidation.
• Effective motivator and people manager focused on developing individuals.

Responsibilities

• Oversee monthly management accounts production including cash flow forecasting.
• Lead audits for multiple entities across the UK, Greece, Italy, and the US.
• Manage UK, US, and European tax compliance including VAT and corporation tax.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Team management

Detail orientation

Technical accounting management

Change management

Education

ACA, ACCA, or CIMA qualified

Tools

Sage 200

Excel

Job description

Our Vision and Our Company Etiquette

Our vision is to be the world’s most desirable and most well‑respected villa rental company. To achieve our vision, we are thoughtful, we work with integrity, and we take a principled, considerate, proactive and passionate approach to what we do. Every day.

Job Location: London, UK

Job Type: Full‑Time, Permanent

Job Purpose

In line with its strategic growth plans, The Thinking Traveller is growing both in size (it has doubled in size since 2019) and complexity (expanded legal entity presence outside of the UK). As the Group Financial Controller, you will be responsible for the Finance Control Team, which manages all aspects of the groups' statutory and management reporting, treasury and cash management, payroll and taxation. The team always displays thoughtful attention to detail and prides itself on providing a high level of service and care to our clients, owners, suppliers and employees.

Reports to: Chief Financial Officer

Direct reports: Senior Financial Accountant, Financial Accountant, Accounts Payable and Receivable Supervisor

Working Partnerships: All Thinkers, Clients, Villa Owners, Experience Suppliers, External Auditors and Advisors, Italian and Greek External Accountants and Treasury, Banking and Merchant Service Providers

JOB ACCOUNTABILITIES

Full responsibility for managing the end‑to‑end operational finance function including:

• Oversee monthly management accounts production including consolidation, cash flow forecasting, and balance sheet reconciliations
• Lead audits for four entities: two in the UK (including the largest), one in Greece, one in Italy and one in the US.
• Assist CFO in preparing and presenting financial information to the Private Equity Investor
• Manage external relationships with auditors, accountants, banks, and payment service providers, amongst others
• Support the People and Culture team with payroll reviews, accounting and execution in the UK, Italy, and Greece

• Manage the transactional finance team including accounts payable and receivable
• Review and approve payment runs to villa owners, local suppliers and overheads suppliers
• Maintain short and long‑term cash flows forecasts in a multicurrency environment
• Support with FX hedging policy implementation and accounting

• Manage UK, US and European tax compliance, including VAT, payroll, withholding, and corporation tax
• Keep TTT up to date with the ever‑evolving European tax reporting requirements
• Regularly review and enhance internal controls, processes, and policies to ensure efficient group operations
• Oversee transfer pricing, including quarterly intercompany service recharges.
• Execute annual group insurance renewals

• Support the business on insight and commercial decisions making as required

• Working closely with the Commercial Finance team to support the production of the P&L budgets and forecasts, this role though fully owns the forecast cashflows and balance sheets production
  • Mentor, motivate and nurture the development of the Finance Team

• Support the CFO and Board in the delivery of its strategic growth drivers
• Act as finance lead in supporting the business on its operating systems transformational journey, this includes leading the team through its own Finance change programme
• Support the CFO in ongoing strengthening of governance across the group
• Support any Mergers & Acquisitions activity including due diligence

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or international equivalent) with 5 years post‑qualification experience in a similar role and commercial environment
• Can demonstrate a strong technical management of group accounting and consolidation
• Strong vision, who knows "what good looks like", enjoys getting into the detail, but also sees the bigger picture
• Excellent interpersonal skills for building relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Effective motivator, team player, and people manager focused on developing individuals
• Capable of challenging norms and managing change in a fast‑growing, complex and highly transactional company
• Travel or hospitality experience preferred
• Sage 200 experience is beneficial, strong excel skills a given

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

At The Thinking Traveller, we value and prioritise diversity and inclusion within our workplace, recognising the importance of ongoing improvement in this area. Our goal is to cultivate a thoughtful culture where every individual feels genuinely appreciated, respected, and included.

We firmly believe that by attracting a diverse group of talented individuals, we can benefit from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, and ideas. This diverse tapestry of Thinkers enables us to deliver exceptional results to our esteemed clients. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, irrespective of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, age, or disability.

If you are considering joining our team, we encourage you to apply and inform us if any adjustments are required during our recruitment processes. Your unique perspective and potential contributions are valued, as we strive to create an environment that is inclusive and supportive to all.