Role: UK Group Financial Controller

Sector: Creative Agency Group

Permanent: Full Time: 3 days in the office

London: Central London

Salary: £80,000 - £85,000

Ref VisionFR 3197

VisionFR is excited to be working with a leading & growing and acquisitive creative agency group to find them a technically strong UK Group Financial Controller to support the CFO and finance teams across the business. This role is hands on and is suited to someone who thrives in a dynamic, entrepreneurial environment and is comfortable operating across Financial Reporting, Consolidation, Financial process & System Implementation together with day-to-day Financial Operations. This would really suit a practice trained accountant who has 1-2 years PQ experience within a marcomms agency. The Financial Controller will play a key role in migrating from Xero to Paprika in the startup Agencies they will be responsible for hiring the transactional team in the UK.

Reporting to the CFO, the UK Group Financial Controller will provide leadership and co-ordination in the administrative, business planning, accounting and budgeting efforts of the group and its companies. They will work in close partnership with the CFO & group FD as well as the group leadership team.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Reporting & Consolidation

• Lead the monthly and annual Group consolidation, including intercompany reconciliations, eliminations, variance analysis and cash flow oversight
• Ensure accuracy and timeliness of Group financial reporting
• Manage statutory financial statements coordination and compliance across all entities
• Provide short-term, hands-on support for core finance operations including invoicing, management accounts, and accounts payable/receivable across HQ and start-up entities, ensuring continuity and quality in preparation for junior finance hires

Audit & Compliance

• Prepare for and manage first-time external audits, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of audit packs and supporting documentation
• Oversee corporate tax computations, VAT, and other filings, liaising with external tax advisors
• Document and test internal controls, including SOX-style control frameworks
• Ensure consistency in application of Group accounting policies and processes

Internal Controls & Risk Management

• Establish and monitor segregation of duties, approval matrices, and risk management frameworks
• Enhance financial processes, identifying and addressing control weaknesses and compliance gaps
• Prepare for future investor and due diligence readiness

Process Improvement & Systems

• Lead documentation and improvement of finance processes, controls, and systems
• Support implementation or enhancement of automation tools and financial systems
• Coordinate with stakeholders across departments to improve reporting quality and data reliability

Skills/Experience

• A proven team player with leadership skills including the ability to coach and energise others
• Have interpersonal skills sufficient to support, advise and influence leaders and teams from different parts of the business whilst providing strong financial control where necessary
• Proven experience of driving cultural change and implementing new processes/structures
• Strong knowledge of finance, accounting, budgeting, and cost control principles including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
• Strong knowledge of automated financial and accounting reporting systems
• Experience in a group matrix and execution in a fast changing environment
• Ability to analyse financial data and prepare financial reports, statements, and projections
• Previous team management experience with the ability to motivate teams to produce quality materials within tight timeframes and simultaneously manage several projects
• Hands-on approach and proven ability to work under pressure and to tight deadlines
• Experience in and of the US market ideal, but not essential
• ACA/CIMA/ACCA qualified (+ 3 years PQE)
• Advanced knowledge of Excel and G-Suite and ideally, experience with Paprika is again ideal but not essential
• Ideally we are loooking for Practice Trained accountants , who have then moved into the creative/ media sector

Benefits

Company benefits are evolving and will be added to as the group evolves and grows. Currently offered:

• 25 Days Holiday increasing by 1 additional day for every year of employment capped at 28
• Plus, office shut down between Christmas & NY
• Health and wellbeing focus - inc Private Medical Insurance
• Pension

VisionFR is committed to encouraging equality, diversity, inclusion and eliminating unlawful discrimination within our workforce and whilst fulfilling our Clients’ recruitment needs.

Due to the high level of applications being received if you do not hear from us within 5 working days, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion, usually due to other candidates having more relevant sector exposure, qualifications or required skills. We thank you for your interest.