Financial Controller

Key Responsibilities of the Financial Controller

• Ensure accurate, timely financial reporting, including monthly management accounts for the leadership team
• Manage budgeting, forecasting and cash-flow forecasting
• Analyse company performance, highlighting risks, opportunities and areas requiring action
• Monitor revenue, costs, margins and profitability across the business
• Provide visibility on client and project profitability, helping the leadership team understand where the agency is making and losing money
• Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, credit control and cash management
• Ensure client invoicing is accurate, timely and properly reconciled
• Manage VAT and other statutory/tax requirements, working with external accountants/advisers where appropriate
• Maintain robust financial processes, controls and reconciliations
• Support payroll and associated financial administration
• Work closely with account teams and senior management on budgets, forecasts, resourcing and commercial decisions
• Improve financial processes, reporting and systems where needed
• Manage relationships with accountants, auditors, banks and other external finance partners
• Support year-end accounts and audit requirements
• Provide ad hoc financial analysis and commercial support to the leadership team

Skills and Requirements of the Financial Controller

• Qualified Accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) with strong experience as a Finance Manager or Financial Controller
• Experience within a PR, creative, marketing, or advertising agency is essential
• Comfortable getting into the detail while providing SLT financial guidance
• Proficient in using Paprika
• Strong management accounting, budgeting and forecasting experience
• Experience analysing client/project profitability and margins
• Excellent understanding of cash flow, working capital and financial controls
• Commercially minded — able to turn data into recommendations/reports
• Confident working with SLT and challenging constructively when needed
• Highly organised with excellent attention to detail
• Comfortable operating in an entrepreneurial SME environment where the role is hands-on
• Confident with Excel/Google Sheets