Interim Financial Controller – High-Growth Consumer Brand – London

Better Placed; Greater London; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Better Placed seeks an Interim Financial Controller for a high-growth consumer brand in London. You will own day-to-day finance, manage the monthly close and strengthen controls as the business scales internationally.

Work closely with the CFO, oversee working capital, inventory, and reporting across Xero, Shopify and Retail 24/7 with a hands-on approach and drive process improvements.

Qualifications

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified or equivalent.
• Strong month-end close and balance-sheet accounting experience.
• Experience in consumer/retail/e-commerce preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day finance function and close processes.
• Strengthen controls and improve financial systems and reporting.
• Partner with CFO and stakeholders to drive visibility and accountability.

Skills

Financial planning

Month-end close

Variance analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualification

Tools

Xero

Shopify

Retail 24/7

Job description

Interim Financial Controller – High-Growth Consumer Brand – London

The Opportunity

We're working on a retained basis with a high-growth fashion brand that is entering an exciting phase of continued UK and international expansion.

They're looking for an Interim Financial Controller to work closely with the CFO, taking ownership of the day-to-day Finance function and helping strengthen the infrastructure required to support the next stage of growth.

This is a hands-on interim leadership role for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, solving problems and bringing structure to a fast-moving environment. You'll have genuine scope to improve processes, strengthen controls and leave the Finance function in a stronger position.

The Role

• Take ownership of the day-to-day Finance function, working closely with the CFO and supporting the wider Finance team.
• Own the monthly and quarterly close, including P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, journals and reconciliations.
• Ensure robust financial controls across AP, AR, banking, expenses, payroll and payments.
• Take ownership of working capital, inventory, COGS and gross-margin reporting, identifying risks and discrepancies early.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis, providing clear financial insight to senior stakeholders.
• Partner with the wider business to improve financial accountability and challenge costs, assumptions and performance.
• Lead year-end audit preparation and oversee routine tax and compliance requirements.
• Review and improve Finance processes, controls and reporting, including the effective use of Xero, Shopify and Retail 24/7.
• Support the CFO with ad hoc financial projects and provide hands-on input into wider business initiatives.
• Build practical, scalable processes that can support the company's continued growth.

What They're Looking For

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with strong Financial Controller, Senior Finance Manager or equivalent experience.
• Strong technical grounding across month-end, management reporting, balance-sheet control, AP/AR and audit.
• Experience within a consumer, retail, e-commerce or inventory-led business would be highly relevant.
• Strong understanding of working capital, stock, COGS and gross margin.
• Commercial and confident communicator who can work effectively with non-finance stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a fast-growth, constantly evolving environment.
• Someone who naturally creates structure, improves processes and takes ownership.
• Strong Excel / Google Sheets skills and confidence working across Finance and operational systems.
• Available to start at relatively short notice and comfortable stepping into an interim environment.

Why Join?

• High-impact interim role working directly with the CFO.
• Opportunity to make a tangible difference to the Finance function during a significant period of growth.
• Broad remit spanning financial control, commercial finance, working capital, inventory and systems.
• High exposure to senior leadership and wider business decision-making.
• Genuine opportunity to improve and strengthen the Finance infrastructure rather than simply maintaining the status quo.
• Excellent experience for someone looking to add high-growth consumer / fashion and hands-on FC experience to their CV.

Duration

• 3-6 months