Group Financial Controller

OLIVER Agency; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading marketing agency in Greater London is seeking an experienced UK Group Financial Controller for a 14-month FTC. The role requires a qualified accountant to lead the financial reporting team, ensure compliance, and manage financial planning for the UK branch. Candidates should possess strong knowledge of UK and US GAAP, with proven experience in a leadership role. This position offers a hybrid work model, requiring 2–3 days in the office per week, and values candidates committed to sustainability and teamwork.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial leadership in a multi-entity environment.
• Managing payroll, balance sheet reconciliations, and forecasting.
• Ability to meet tight deadlines while maintaining attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop the UK financial reporting team.
• Ensure accurate UK P&L reporting in line with group timelines.
• Provide technical guidance on UK GAAP and US GAAP.

Skills

UK GAAP knowledge

US GAAP knowledge

Financial leadership experience

Excellent communication skills

Analytical skills

Organizational skills

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)

Job description

Established in 2004 OLIVER is the worlds first and only specialist in designing building and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40 countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences.

As a part of The Brandtech Group were at the forefront of leveraging cutting‑edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency spark creativity and drive insightful decision‑making empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results.

Role: UK Group Financial Controller – 14 months FTC

Location: London England United Kingdom (Hybrid 2‑3 days per week in office)

About the role

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic UK Group Financial Controller to provide maternity cover. This is a critical leadership role responsible for leading and developing the UK financial reporting team while ensuring robust financial management compliance and strategic support for the business.

What you will be doing

• Lead develop and mentor the UK financial reporting team fostering an inclusive and high‑performing culture.
• Support recruitment training and professional development of financial talent.
• Month‑End Reporting: Take overall responsibility for accurate UK P&L reporting in line with group timelines.
• Reconcile all key balance sheet accounts monthly and conduct quarterly reviews of the full balance sheet to mitigate financial risks.
• Prepare regional review packs in collaboration with the Director of Business Partnering.
• Work closely with the Group reporting team to ensure clear and transparent communication of expectations.
• Financial Management: Lead annual financial planning and quarterly reforecast processes (Overheads Hub and OMG).
• Build and maintain a rolling UK forecast to manage costs and forecast assumptions effectively.
• Partner with the CEO and CFO to deliver financial plans that meet margin targets (e.g. cost savings initiatives).
• Maintain robust financial controls within the UK business.
• Technical & Regulatory Compliance: Provide technical guidance on US and UK GAAP to the reporting team.
• Partner with the HFBP to ensure revenue recognition aligns with US GAAP and evolving requirements (e.g. SBOX).
• Collaborate with the Tax team to ensure HMRC compliance.
• Senior Financial Support & Business Partnering: Partner with senior stakeholders overhead managers and department heads to ensure accurate reporting and budget adherence.
• Support cost control and financial decision‑making across the business.
• Forecasting & Reporting: Update the B&S forecast weekly, quarterly RF and annual budgets.
• Review and reconcile balance sheets across the UK trading group ensuring sufficient documentation and schedules.
• Review monthly payroll processing and journal entries ensuring proper allocation of costs across entities.
• Review the P&L with the MA / FM investigating variances against forecasts for monthly FD reviews.
• Approvals & Audit: Review and approve purchase orders at the finance level for relevant departments.
• Lead and coordinate internal and external audits for UK Group businesses.
• Prepare and provide all required documentation schedules and explanations to auditors in a timely and accurate manner.
• Act as the primary point of contact between the business and audit teams ensuring effective communication and resolution of queries.
• Oversee the planning and execution of audit processes monitor progress against timelines and address findings or recommendations proactively to strengthen internal controls and compliance.
• Support management in implementing corrective actions and maintaining audit readiness throughout the year.
• You will be open and willing to attend sustainability training relevant to your role and soak up recommended research and reading about sustainability issues.

What you need to be great in this role

• Qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent).
• Proven experience in financial leadership preferably in a group or multi‑entity environment.
• Strong knowledge of UK GAAP US GAAP and HMRC compliance.
• Excellent communication analytical and organisational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with senior leadership.
• Experience managing payroll balance sheet reconciliations and forecasting.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• You can be the change – you prioritise environmental responsibility social equity and economic viability and how that translates into your day‑to‑day role.

Req ID: 14587

#LI-KA1 #LI-Hybrid #LI-director

Our values shape everything we do :

Be Ambitious to succeed

Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of whats possible

Be Inspirational to do groundbreaking work

Be always learningand listening to understand

Be Results-focused to exceed expectations

Be actively pro‑inclusive and anti‑racist across our community clients and creations

OLIVER a part of the Brandtech Group is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race ethnicity religion gender sexual orientation gender identity age neurodivergence disability status or any other characteristic protected by local laws.

OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability with science‑based emissions reduction targets. Collectively we work towards our mission embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.

Employment Type: Full Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1