Group Financial Controller - Private Equity

Trace | Expert Accountancy & Finance Recruitment; Greater London; On-site; GBP 110,000 - 135,000; Full time

Job summary

Trace | Expert Accountancy & Finance Recruitment is seeking a Group Financial Controller for a leading private equity firm in London. You will own the corporate finance function, drive reporting, controls, FP&A, and regulatory compliance across an international group, and lead automation and AI enhancements.

You will report to the Senior Director of Finance and manage a team, liaising with external auditors and senior stakeholders to deliver insightful financial analysis and robust control

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified
• 5+ years PQE
• Financial services experience is essential
• Strong experience in financial and management reporting
• NetSuite experience would be advantageous
• Commercially minded and naturally curious
• Enjoys improving processes rather than just maintaining them

Responsibilities

• Lead consolidated management, statutory and regulatory reporting for the corporate group
• Own the monthly and quarterly reporting cycle with high quality, timely delivery
• Manage annual budgeting and forecasting process
• Produce financial analysis and insights for senior stakeholders
• Act as principal contact for external auditors
• Oversee FCA and other regulatory reporting requirements
• Manage finance systems, controls and reconciliations
• Drive automation and AI initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Oversee VAT reporting and support tax compliance processes
• Build relationships across the business and with external advisers
• Manage and develop junior team members and outsourced providers

Skills

Commercial awareness

Analytical mindset

Process improvement

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Tools

NetSuite

Job description

Group Financial Controller | London | Leading Private Equity Firm | £110,000 - £135,000

You're an accountant who enjoys getting into the detail, but you also want a seat at the table when key business decisions are being made. If that sounds like you, this could be one of those rare opportunities that combines technical depth, commercial exposure and genuine influence.

We're partnering with a highly successful international investment firm managing over $20bn of assets. With offices across Europe, Asia and North America, the business continues to grow and is looking to hire a Group Financial Controller to become a key member of its London finance team.

Reporting directly to the Senior Director of Finance, you'll take ownership of the corporate finance function, leading reporting, controls, FP&A, regulatory compliance and finance operations across an international group structure. You'll also play a central role in modernising finance processes and driving greater use of automation and AI.

What you'll be doing

• Leading consolidated management, statutory and regulatory reporting for the corporate group
• Owning the monthly and quarterly reporting cycle, ensuring high quality and timely delivery
• Managing the annual budgeting and forecasting process
• Producing meaningful financial analysis and insight for senior stakeholders
• Acting as the principal contact for external auditors
• Overseeing FCA and other regulatory reporting requirements
• Managing finance systems, controls and reconciliations
• Driving automation and AI initiatives to improve efficiency and accuracy
• Overseeing VAT reporting and supporting broader tax compliance processes
• Building strong relationships across the business and with external advisers
• Managing and developing junior team members and outsourced providers

What we're looking for

• ACA or ACCA qualified
• Around 5+ years' PQE
• Financial services experience is essential
• Strong experience in financial and management reporting
• NetSuite experience would be advantageous
• A commercially minded and naturally curious approach
• Someone who enjoys improving processes rather than simply maintaining them

The type of person who will succeed:

• You'll be someone who takes ownership naturally.
• You enjoy solving problems, challenging the status quo and finding smarter ways of working. You're just as comfortable discussing technical accounting matters as you are presenting financial insights to senior stakeholders.
• Most importantly, you'll want to be part of an ambitious, entrepreneurial environment where high performance is valued and good ideas are genuinely listened to.