Group Financial Controller (MAT Cover)

Venatus; Sunderland; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A global ad-tech firm based in Sunderland is seeking a skilled Group Financial Controller to ensure robust financial reporting and governance across its international group. Responsibilities include leading the month-end close, managing cash flow forecasting, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. The ideal candidate is ACA-qualified with strong technical accounting knowledge and extensive experience in a fast-paced environment.

Benefits

Private Health Care

Flexible working pattern

25 days annual leave

Cycle to Work scheme

Option to buy and sell annual leave

Qualifications

• 3+ years post-qualified experience in a financial control or similar role.
• Experience in a Big 4 audit firm preferred.
• Prior experience working within Netsuite is a must.

Responsibilities

• Lead the month-end close process across the Group.
• Ensure timely and accurate consolidated management reporting.
• Manage the year-end audit process across all entities.

Skills

Qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA)

Strong technical accounting knowledge

Strong Excel skills

Strong attention to detail

Ability to work independently

Education

ACA / ACCA / CIMA Qualification

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Who we are

Venatus is an award-winning, global ad-tech platform that connects advertisers to the exclusive audiences of 500+, world renowned gaming and entertainment publishers. We are tech-first. We are gamers. We are the difference makers. Because when it comes to helping the world’s most recognisable brands such as EA, Nintendo and Rovio produce outstanding advertising campaigns, our in-house creative team alongside our direct and programmatic ad-sales have an unrivaled track-record.

Our game-changing investment from leading private equity firm, LivingBridge makes this an exceptionally exciting time to join the company. Venatus has ambitious growth and expansion plans, launching new products and opening even more international offices. London is our HQ with regional offices in Amsterdam, New York, LA, Toronto, Sydney, Seoul and Manila.

Why you should work with us

Venatus is an extremely ambitious company and we pride ourselves on our open and supportive culture. Our talented employees stay loyal to our business due to the regular learning opportunities and experience of working directly with industry experts. We empower people to succeed, welcoming innovative ideas and ways of working that will ultimately help the business grow. We offer a fluid approach to hybrid working, giving employees the freedom to produce their best work, wherever they are. Joining Venatus is a play for the top. You’ll be challenged in positive ways, learn rapidly and develop a career in one of the most captivating industries in the world. You will be able to develop both professionally and as an individual, carving a career path that engages and excites you.

What we’re looking for

As Group Financial Controller, you will be a senior leader in the finance team, responsible for ensuring robust financial reporting, strong governance, and effective control across our international group. You will work closely with the CFO, Commercial Finance Director, and executive team to support both organic growth and future M&A activity.

Your focus will be on delivering accurate and timely reporting, maintaining compliance, supporting strategic initiatives and enhancing processes where needed.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the month-end close process across the Group, including review of journals, reconciliations, and intercompany positions, as well as the preparation of accruals and review of the final results. This will include overseeing the local accounting teams in other jurisdictions across the group and helping to drive their timely submissions to the Head Office.
• Preparation and review of the board pack.
• Overseeing the debt collection/credit control process, monitoring our cash collection,
• Ensure timely and accurate consolidated management reporting for internal stakeholders, banks, and investors.
• Maintain and improve a strong financial control environment, driving process efficiency and automation where possible.
• Own cash flow forecasting and management.
• Review and approval of payruns.
• Manage the year-end audit process and preparation of consolidated and statutory accounts across all entities.
• Oversee tax compliance (VAT, PAYE/NI, corporation tax, R&D claims) and liaise with external tax advisors as needed.
• Coordinate payroll processes across the Group with external providers.
• Support regular reporting to lenders and private equity investors, including covenant compliance.
• Ensure regulatory compliance across jurisdictions, including Companies House filings and international obligations.
• Provide finance input into forecasting, budgeting, and ad hoc analysis as required. Maintain integrity and continuous improvement of finance systems (NetSuite, Kefron, PayFit, Deel, etc) and contribute to ongoing systems development projects.
• Manage relationships with outsourced international finance, tax, and payroll providers.
• Lead or support strategic and operational projects across finance and the wider business.
• Implementation of a new global payroll system
• Possible implementation of a new cash flow forecasting tool
• Working with Netsuite support to enhance the use of the Netsuite tool and tailor it to our needs
  
  

What we need:

• You must be fully qualified (ACA / ACCA / CIMA – ACA preferred)
• 3+ years post-qualified experience in a financial control or similar role
• Experience in a Big 4 audit firm preferred
• Strong technical accounting knowledge
• Ability to work and report in multiple currencies
• Ability to monitor effects of natural hedges in place and determine whether forward exchange contracts are required
• Prior experience working within Netsuite a must
• Prior experience operating in a Group environment and reporting consolidated results a must
• Experience in preparation of annual statutory financial statements a must Experience in overseeing an annual financial audit a must
• Experience with acquisition accounting including contingent/deferred consideration and future valuing a must (PV calculations, WACC calculations, etc)
• Confident, self-starter and a willingness to get involved in the detail.
• Ability to work independently
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and ability to work with senior stakeholders Ability to work in a high growth and fast paced environment and comfortable with working to tight deadlines
• Strong excel skills
• Strong attention to detail
• Prior experience of working in a PE-backed SME business with associated lender/debt covenant reporting helpful
• Good understanding of corporation tax, PAYE, VAT
  
  

Package:

• Private Health Care
• Flexible working pattern & Summer hours
• Team building days
• Cycle to Work scheme
• Season Ticket Loan scheme
• 25 days annual leave in addition to bank holidays and your birthday off
• Option to buy and sell annual leave allowance
• Excellent career opportunities in a growing, international company
  
  

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

We understand that the best ideas are born from the collaboration of diverse minds, spanning all races, religions, ethnicities, genders and orientations. We are dedicated to making Venatus a safe, happy place to be, allowing everyone to feel comfortable and confident in order to produce their best work. We employ a range of talent that represents the diverse creativity of our industry and we are proud of our growing teams of employees who share these values.

If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation during the application process, please let us know by emailing [e-mail]