Interim Financial Controller – High-Growth Retail Business – London

Better Placed; Greater London; On-site; GBP 111,000 - 166,000; Full time

Job summary

Better Placed in London is seeking an Interim Financial Controller to take ownership of the day-to-day finance function and strengthen controls as the business scales. You will work closely with the CFO, overseeing month-end close, reporting, and cash flow, while driving process improvements across finance and cross-functional teams.

The role suits a qualified finance leader with strong experience in retail or e-commerce environments, skilled in working capital, stock accounting and margin

Qualifications

• Professional accounting qualification (ACCA/ACMA/CIMA) and strong technical grounding.
• Experience leading month-end close, reporting and balance-sheet control.
• Proven ability to partner with non-finance colleagues and drive improvements.

Responsibilities

• Own day-to-day finance function working with the CFO.
• Lead monthly/quarterly close covering P&L, balance sheet and cash flow.
• Maintain robust controls across AP/AR, banking, payroll and expenses.
• Oversee working capital, stock accounting and gross margin reporting.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis for senior stakeholders.
• Partner with retail and ops teams to improve financial accountability.
• Lead year-end audit prep and tax/compliance activities.
• Improve finance processes and reporting across systems.

Skills

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Financial Control

Month-end close

Stakeholder comms

Excel/Sheets

Education

Accounting qualification

Tools

Excel

Google Sheets

ERP systems

Job description

Interim Financial Controller – High-Growth Retail Business – London

The Opportunity

We’re working on a retained basis with a high-growth retail business 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 strengthening the financial infrastructure needed 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 real 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 team.
• Lead the monthly and quarterly close, covering P&L, balance sheet, cash flow, journals and reconciliations.
• Ensure robust financial controls across AP, AR, banking, expenses, payroll and payments.
• Oversee working capital, stock accounting, cost of sales and gross‑margin reporting, identifying risks and discrepancies early.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and variance analysis, providing clear financial insight to senior stakeholders.
• Partner with retail and operational teams to improve financial accountability, challenge costs and drive commercial 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 accounting, retail and e‑commerce systems.
• Support the CFO with ad hoc financial projects and provide hands‑on input into wider business initiatives.
• Build practical, scalable processes to support continued growth across the business.

What They’re Looking For

• ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified, with strong Financial Controller, Senior Finance Manager or equivalent experience.
• A solid technical grounding across month‑end, management reporting, balance‑sheet control, AP/AR and audit.
• Experience within a retail, consumer, e‑commerce or stock‑led business would be highly relevant.
• Strong understanding of working capital, stock, cost of sales and gross margins.
• A commercially minded communicator who can work effectively with non-finance stakeholders.
• Comfortable operating in a fast‑growth, evolving environment where priorities can shift.
• Someone who takes ownership, brings structure and actively looks for ways to improve processes.
• 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 during a significant period of business growth.
• Broad remit spanning financial control, commercial finance, working capital, stock and systems.
• Exposure to senior leadership and wider business decision‑making.
• Genuine opportunity to strengthen the Finance infrastructure and improve how the business operates.
• Excellent experience for someone looking to build on their retail, consumer and hands‑on Financial Controller experience.

Duration: 3–6 months