Group Financial Controller

Finatal; Essex; On-site; GBP 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A private equity-backed business in East London/Essex seeks an exceptional Group Financial Controller to provide financial leadership and drive reporting excellence. The role requires a qualified accountant with over 10 years of experience, particularly in a PE-backed environment. Key responsibilities include overseeing accounting and financial reporting, ensuring compliance, and leading financial transformation. A competitive remuneration package is offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of post-qualified experience, ideally with PLC or PE.
• Proven experience in a PE-backed or highly leveraged environment.
• Strong technical accounting skills combined with commercial acumen.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a fit-for-purpose control environment.
• Act as primary liaison with Auditors and stakeholders.
• Strengthen revenue recognition processes.

Skills

Technical accounting expertise (IFRS/UK GAAP)

Leadership and stakeholder management

Experience in a PE-backed environment

Financial reporting excellence

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CPA or equivalent)

Tools

SAP

Job description

Group Financial Controller/Group Finance Director

Location: East London/Essex

Renumeration: £180k + 40% Bonus + MIP

WP14635

Our client is a private equity–backed business entering a new part of its cycle. Operating in multiple markets, the business has built a strong market position and is now entering the next phase of value creation ahead of a potential exit in the next 2/3 years. We are seeking an exceptional Group Financial Controller to provide strong financial leadership, drive reporting excellence, and underpin the business’s commercial and operational ambitions.

As Group Financial Controller, you will be a key member of the senior finance leadership team, responsible for building a robust financial control environment and supporting the CFO, CEO, and private equity investors in delivering strategic and operational objectives. You will oversee group-wide accounting, consolidation, and financial reporting while driving continuous improvement across systems, controls, and processes. The successful candidate will combine technical rigour with a pragmatic, hands‑on approach and the ability to operate in a fast‑paced, change‑oriented environment.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Control & Governance

• Design and implement a fit-for-purpose control environment aligned with PLC/Tier 1 PE and audit standards.
• Lead remediation of audit findings and address controls weaknesses identified by Deloitte.
• Ensure robust balance sheet reconciliations, appropriate SAP user roles, and compliant financial close processes.

Audit & External Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary liaison with Auditors, lenders, and rating agencies, ensuring transparent communication and proactive issue management.
• Oversee delivery of the FY26 audit, ensuring timely completion, full compliance, and restored auditor confidence.

Technical Finance Leadership

• Strengthen revenue recognition processes, ensuring accurate treatment of transition revenue and alignment with accounting standards.
• Own the redevelopment of impairment models, forecasting, and cash flow planning to reflect realistic asset valuations and financial performance.

Operational Finance & Systems

• Embed discipline and ownership across core finance processes, ensuring consistency, accuracy, and control.
• Optimise SAP functionality, including posting controls, user access management, and automation of key reconciliations.
• Oversee the offshore finance operations, ensuring alignment with head office standards and control expectations.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CPA or equivalent)
• 10+ years of post‑qualified experience, ideally with PLC or PE.
• Proven experience in a PE‑backed or highly leveraged environment, with an understanding of investor expectations and reporting disciplines.
• Strong technical accounting expertise (IFRS/UK GAAP) combined with commercial acumen.
• Experience leading finance transformation, systems upgrades
• Exceptional leadership and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing at Board level.