Overview

We are seeking an experienced and proactive Financial Controller to join our finance team on a 6-month fixed-term contract. This is a hands-on finance role during a period of critical growth and change, based in London, England, United Kingdom. The role involves overseeing core financial operations and driving several high-priority projects to strengthen financial controls, compliance, and operational efficiency. Our current finance team is lean and facing increased demands due to recent strategic developments. The successful candidate will quickly integrate, take ownership of key initiatives, and provide immediate capacity and expertise to mitigate risks across controls, compliance, and the order-to-cash process.Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership and Management (Primary Focus): lead and manage high-priority finance projects to strengthen controls, compliance, and operational efficiency.Corporate Reporting Obligations: lead and manage compliance with corporate reporting requirements under WPP, establishing robust processes and ensuring timely and accurate submissions.Integration and Wind-Down Activities: oversee the financial aspects of employee integration and entity wind-downs, ensuring accurate accounting and regulatory compliance.SOX Onboarding and Control Enhancement: drive the onboarding process for SOX compliance, identifying, documenting, and enhancing internal controls across financial processes; collaborate with stakeholders to embed a strong control environment.Revenue Protection and FPandA Enhancement: collaborate with commercial teams to implement revenue protection processes under a shifting commercial model, ensure accurate revenue recognition and robust billing/collection; bolster FPandA deliverables with revenue analytics, budgeting/forecasting improvements, and insights into commercial performance.Risk Mitigation: proactively identify and address risks across financial controls, compliance, and order-to-cash; implement effective solutions and best practices.Financial Control and Operations (Supporting Focus): oversee day-to-day financial operations, ensure timely financial reporting, including month-end and year-end close; manage revenue for the group from SaaS metrics through to revenue recognition; ensure compliance with statutory reporting, tax regulations, and internal policies; support preparation of financial statements and management reports; collaborate with the existing finance team to provide guidance and support.Requirements

Qualified Accountant: ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent professional accounting qualification.Proven Experience: significant experience (5+ years post-qualification) in a Financial Controller or similar senior finance role.Start-up Acumen: experience in fast-paced, dynamic start-up environments with the ability to adapt quickly and manage multiple priorities.Big Company Exposure (Beneficial): experience in larger, structured corporate environments with best practices in controls, processes, and reporting.Project Management Skills: track record of delivering complex finance-related projects, including systems implementation, process improvement, or compliance initiatives.Technical Expertise: solid understanding of IFRS; experience with SOX compliance and internal controls is highly desirable; familiarity with corporate reporting requirements for a parent company is an advantage; experience with revenue recognition in a shifting model.SaaS Experience (Beneficial but not essential): familiarity with SaaS subscription models and related metrics.Analytical and Problem-Solving: strong analytical skills with ability to identify issues, propose solutions, and drive implementation.Communication and Collaboration: excellent communication and interpersonal skills to work with diverse stakeholders.Proactive and Self-Starter: highly motivated, autonomous, and able to thrive with evolving priorities.Benefits

Competitive salary based on experience, 25 days annual leave (excluding bank holidays), 8% pension contribution, private health care, mental wellbeing support via EAP, corporate discounts, and salary sacrifice options.Hybrid working culture with office in London; expect collaboration with colleagues in office 2-3 times per week.

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