Group Financial Controller - Hybrid, 35-hour Week

AQA; Greater Manchester; Hybrid; GBP 80,000 - 86,000; Full time

Job summary

AQA, the UK's largest provider of academic qualifications, is seeking a Group Financial Controller for a 12-month maternity cover in Manchester. The role is hybrid with two office days per week, offering leadership of the Financial Control and FP&A teams and responsibility for high-quality reporting, governance and strategy.

The successful candidate will drive improvements, manage acquisitions and be a strong people leader within a collaborative charity environment.

Qualifications

• A recognised professional accounting qualification such as ACA, ACCA or CIMA.
• Experience leading audit, statutory accounts, group reporting, budgets, forecasts and longer-term financial planning.
• Experience leading and developing teams within a complex organisation or group structure.
• The ability to build trusted relationships, influence stakeholders and create an environment where people can succeed.
• Experience of charity reporting or working within a charity or not-for-profit environment would be beneficial, but is not essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead a high-performing Financial Control and FP&A team, developing the team and driving excellence.
• Build strong relationships across AQA, including with our Head of Commercial Finance to ensure the business receives an aligned message from Finance.
• Ensure robust financial governance, delivering high-quality reporting and statutory accounts.
• Steer the implementation of IFRS 15 and IFRS 16 across AQA and supporting subsidiary readiness for the 2027 audit.
• Shape strategic decision-making through insightful forecasting, planning and management reporting.
• Support growth by integrating acquisitions, strengthening subsidiary finance capabilities and building strong stakeholder relationships.

Skills

Relationship building

Stakeholder management

Leadership

People management

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA)

Job description

AQA, the UK's largest provider of academic qualifications, is seeking a Group Financial Controller for a 12-month maternity cover in Manchester. The role is hybrid with two office days per week, offering leadership of the Financial Control and FP&A teams and responsibility for high-quality reporting, governance and strategy.

The successful candidate will drive improvements, manage acquisitions and be a strong people leader within a collaborative charity environment.