UK Controller

JLL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

JLL seeks a UK Controller to lead the accuracy and timeliness of UK financial reporting across all UK entities. The role heads a London-based Controllership team, partnering with Shared Services and regional leadership to ensure robust controls and compliant reporting.

You will drive month-end close, balance sheet integrity, intercompany settlements, and external auditor coordination while supporting tax, VAT and regulatory reporting in a high-scale environment.

Qualifications

• ACA or ACCA qualified is required.

Responsibilities

• Own UK month-end close calendar and ensure timely, accurate journal postings across UK entities.
• Lead balance sheet reconciliations and intercompany settlements with a focus on risk mitigation.
• Oversee UK statutory reporting (FRS 102) and coordination with external auditors.
• Deliver US GAAP reporting within the global matrix and support UK statutory timetables.
• Coordinate tax and VAT compliance activities and provide input on process improvements.

Education

ACA or ACCA qualified

Job description

JLL empowers you to shape a brighter way .

Our people at JLL are shaping the future of real estate for a better world by combining world class services, advisory and technology for our clients. We are committed to hiring the best, most talented people and empowering them to thrive, grow meaningful careers and to find a place where they belong. Whether you've got deep experience in commercial real estate, skilled trades or technology, or you're looking to apply your relevant experience to a new industry, join our team as we help shape a brighter way forward.

Role Purpose

The UK Controller is a senior finance leader accountable for the accuracy, completeness, and timeliness of the UK's internal and external financial reporting and compliance across all JLL business lines in the country.

The role owns the UK statutory and US GAAP reporting control environment, leads a Controllership team based in London, and acts as a primary finance point of contact for UK business leadership, shared services, and global / regional Controllership. This is one of the most significant Controller roles in the EMEA region given the scale and complexity of the UK market.

Key Responsibilities

Month-End Close & General Ledger Integrity

Own the UK close calendar and delivery, coordinating with the Shared Services Centre to ensure accuracy and timeliness across all UK entities. Review and approve judgmental and complex journal entries, topside adjustments, accruals, and payroll and bonus entries. Perform review controls over the balance sheet and P&L (month-over-month actuals) with variance commentary. Act as control owner for payroll and bonus reporting.

Balance Sheet Quality & Reconciliations

Prepare and approve high-risk reconciliations; monitor reconciliation dashboards and drive resolution of aged items in line with global reconciliation policy. Monitor balance sheet risks and opportunities, escalating proactively to UK and regional leadership. Resolve intercompany disputes and approve fixed asset transactions, including additions, retirements, disposals, and transfers.

Statutory Reporting & External Audit

Own review and sign-off of UK statutory financial statements (FRS 102) across the UK entity portfolio (currently fewer than 40 entities), prepared in coordination with the Statutory Audit Centre of Excellence. Serve as primary contact for the external auditor, including PBC lists, planning meetings, cadence calls, and resolution of audit findings. Own preparation and filing of Companies House annual accounts and confirmation statements. Supervise FCA regulatory returns for UK regulated entities. Own review and sign-off of all other statutory filings and reporting, examples being payment practices, office of national statistics reporting, government contract reporting. Run risk assessments, execute and document SOX control testing, and remediate control weaknesses and audit findings.

US GAAP Reporting

Deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual US GAAP reporting within JLL's global reporting matrix. Act as primary UK point of contact for global and regional Controllership on reporting matters. Develop and continuously improve month-end close processes to support both US GAAP and UK statutory timetables. Apply and interpret global accounting policy locally, with particular focus on revenue recognition, leases, and non-standard transactions.

Tax & VAT Coordination

Coordinate with the Tax function on UK tax compliance matters, including group VAT filings across a complex multi-entity VAT position, corporation tax, PAYE settlement agreement submission and other statutory tax obligations. Support Tax with information requests, documentation, and process input from a controllership and controls perspective, without assuming ownership of tax technical positions.

Team Leadership & Development

Manage and develop a UK Controllership team of qualified accountants and trainees, including workload prioritisation, performance management, and career development. Deliver technical training and updates to the team on accounting policy, process, and control changes.

Business Partnering & Shared Services Oversight

Serve as the bridge between Controllership and Finance Business Partnering, ensuring controls and processes run smoothly across the wider UK Finance function. Monitor and help develop the performance of the Shared Services Centre supporting the UK. Partner with HR, Legal & Compliance, Procurement, and Tax on cross-functional finance matters. Represent Controllership in UK leadership discussions on financial and compliance matters.

Ad Hoc / Projects

Lead or support projects as they arise, including entity rationalization, acquisitions, and integration activity. Provide decision support and financial modelling for UK executive leadership. Coordinate with other UK finance teams on cross-functional initiatives. Identify opportunities to standardize and improve UK accounting and reporting processes.

Qualifications

ACA or ACCA qualified required; US CPA or other internati