Strategic Global Finance Controller

Happl; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Happl is hiring a Financial Controller to own the finance engine across two jurisdictions (UK and US) and 160+ countries. You’ll lead the monthly close, revenue cycle, treasury, and reporting packs for investors and the board.

You’ll drive automation, AI-enabled workflows, and a scalable finance function with direct access to the CEO and investors. You’ll manage two legal entities, oversee tax, payroll, and FCA/regulatory reporting, and partner with outsourced providers while shaping the finance

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with end-to-end close and reporting experience.
• Experience with revenue recognition and multi-currency/FX.
• Experience with tax and compliance across UK and US.
• AI-native in daily finance work and automation.

Responsibilities

• Own the monthly close on a fixed timetable and manage management accounts.
• Write commentary explaining the numbers behind the figures.
• Produce the monthly investor reporting pack and board materials.
• Own the full revenue cycle: invoicing, collections, and revenue recognition across multi-currency contracts.
• Lead the rollout of automated billing and revenue recognition tooling to scale without headcount growth.
• Manage two legal entities (US TopCo and UK), including statutory accounts and intercompany accounting.
• Own the compliance calendar end-to-end across UK VAT, corporation tax, US filings, and payroll taxes.
• Support FCA regulatory reporting obligations and related controls.
• Run monthly payroll, pensions, and benefits across jurisdictions.
• Own cash position and treasury strategy including FX management.
• Manage outsourced bookkeeping, accounting, and tax partners and bring work in-house when faster.
• Own the finance tech stack and push automation/AI across reconciliations and reporting drafts.
• Leverage AI tools like Claude/ChatGPT to speed up workflows.
• Act as financial conscience with direct line to founders and board.

Skills

Advanced Excel

Financial modelling

Revenue recognition

Accruals accounting

Balance sheet control

SaaS/subscription metrics

ARR reporting

SQL / Python / low-code

Communication

Attention to detail

AI tooling

Education

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA)

Tools

Xero

Stripe

Job description

Happl is hiring a Financial Controller to own the finance engine across two jurisdictions (UK and US) and 160+ countries. You’ll lead the monthly close, revenue cycle, treasury, and reporting packs for investors and the board.

You’ll drive automation, AI-enabled workflows, and a scalable finance function with direct access to the CEO and investors. You’ll manage two legal entities, oversee tax, payroll, and FCA/regulatory reporting, and partner with outsourced providers while shaping the finance