Financial Controller
Overall Objective
The successful candidate will have the ability and willingness to be the sole finance figure in a satellite office, with support from the UK Finance team. This is a hands-on role that provides exposure to a wide array of finance tasks, including business partnering, client/supplier management, management accounts preparation, and employer tax filings.
Job Purpose
Manage the day-to-day activities of the finance department and ensure that appropriate systems and internal controls are in place to maintain the financial health of the entity.
Partner with the Americas MD to provide timely and clear insights into portfolio financial performance, assisting in making informed, financially sound decisions to enhance business performance.
Build financial awareness across Account Management teams, ensuring that financial literacy becomes a core skill within the business unit.
Experience, Qualifications, and Core Skills
- CPA/CFP/ACCA qualification (or international equivalent).
- Proven expertise in a similar working environment.
- Fluent in both written and spoken English.
- Strong understanding of financial accounting and commercial business operations.
- Prior experience in US payroll and employer filings.
- Familiarity with financial and operational systems.
- Proficient in all components of Microsoft Office.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail and proactive in all aspects of work.
Additional Key Qualities
Essential
- Excellent communication skills for effective engagement with both finance and non-finance stakeholders.
- Strong sense of responsibility toward the organization’s reputation.
- Ability to work independently and prioritize tasks effectively.
- Highly organized, with the ability to multitask and meet deadlines.
- Strong sense of pride in delivering high-quality work.
- Industry experience of 5+ years preferred.
- Ambitious and career-focused.
Specific Responsibilities
Business Partnering:
- Collaborate with the MD to optimize finance and business decisions that improve financial performance.
- Prepare monthly management reports and ensure the MD has a comprehensive understanding of the figures and KPIs, enabling them to present confidently to the CEO.
- Assist in preparing rolling forward-look forecasts to ensure robust visibility of future performance.
- Track time utilization and work with MD/BDs to rectify any deviations from targets.
Project Finance Management:
- Partner with project leads to manage project budgets, ensuring margins and third-party expenses are aligned with forecasts.
- Ensure the MD remains informed of the financial health of projects in their portfolio.
- Cost and Revenue Forecasting:
- Own the cost forecasting process for staffing and overheads, ensuring budget adherence and communicating any variances to the MD/HoF.
- Oversee revenue forecasting and reporting.
Payments and Expenses:
- Oversee US Inc payment runs, ensuring supplier onboarding processes are followed and payments are made according to terms.
- Review and approve employee expenses and supplier invoices, ensuring accurate coding of costs.
Payroll and Tax Compliance:
- Review payroll, perform monthly payroll reconciliations, and ensure employer tax filings are completed.
- Support the Ops/HR team with payroll-related queries.
Cash Flow Management:
- Actively manage the cash flow of the business to ensure liquidity.
- Conduct the first review of supplier contracts.
Client Billing and Accounts Receivable:
- Ensure timely client billing and that payments are received according to agreed terms.
Tax and Regulatory Compliance:
- Oversee all employer tax matters and corporate filing requirements, in collaboration with the Tax Team.
RFP and Pricing Support:
- Assist project leads with RFPs for existing clients.
- Help define rate cards and develop commercial pricing for new tenders.
Ad Hoc Projects and Audit Support:
- Work on special projects and provide analysis to the HoF and FD.
- Assist with the annual audit process.
Process Improvement and Training:
- Develop and document robust processes, ensuring they are effectively communicated across the agency.
- Lead value-adding initiatives, including system enhancements, agency training, and KPI development.