Financial Controller Job Description
Hire a seasoned Financial Controller to own month‑end reporting, internal controls and management accounts while supporting commercial decision‑making across the business.
What does a Financial Controller professional do?
A Financial Controller manages the finance function’s day‑to‑day accounting, produces reliable management and statutory reports, and ensures controls and processes support growth and compliance.
Financial Controller job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Financial Controller
About the role
We are seeking a Financial Controller to lead the finance team and deliver accurate month‑end close, management accounts and statutory reporting. You will maintain strong internal controls, drive budgeting and forecasting processes, and provide financial analysis and commercial insight to senior leadership. Location: [Location] | Salary: [Salary range] | Type: [Permanent/Fixed‑term/Contract].
Key responsibilities
- Lead month‑end and year‑end close activities, ensuring timely reconciliations and accurate management accounts.
- Prepare and present monthly management reporting and variance analysis to senior management and the board.
- Maintain and improve internal controls, policies and accounting procedures to ensure compliance with UK GAAP/IFRS and statutory requirements.
- Manage the statutory reporting process and liaise with external auditors and tax advisors.
- Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and general ledger activities, delegating tasks and developing the team.
- Own budgeting, forecasting and cash flow processes; provide scenario analysis and support strategic planning.
- Drive continuous improvement of finance systems and processes, including ERP and reporting tools.
- Support commercial teams with pricing, margin analysis, and project or product profitability reviews.
Essential skills and experience
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA) or part‑qualified with substantial, demonstrable controller experience.
- Proven experience leading month‑end close, producing management accounts and managing statutory reporting.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge of UK GAAP and exposure to IFRS.
- Experience managing or supervising a small finance team and working with external auditors.
- Advanced Excel skills and practical experience with an ERP/finance system.
- Clear communicator able to present financial information to non‑finance stakeholders.
Desirable
- Experience in the company’s sector (for example: technology, manufacturing, retail or professional services).
- Experience implementing or upgrading ERP/reporting systems.
- Treasury, tax or corporate finance experience such as cash management or transaction support.
- Experience managing or supporting multi‑entity group reporting.
- Knowledge of automation and reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau or similar).
What we offer
- Competitive basic salary (insert range)
- Pension contribution scheme (insert details)
- Annual bonus / performance related pay (where applicable)
- Flexible or hybrid working arrangement (insert policy)
- Holiday allowance (insert entitlement) plus bank holidays
- Support for professional subscriptions and study leave
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Financial Controller role?
A Financial Controller is responsible for the integrity of an organisation’s financial reporting and the efficiency of its accounting operations. The role coordinates month‑end and year‑end closing, prepares management and statutory accounts, maintains internal controls, and delivers financial information that supports business decision‑making. Controllers typically manage a small finance team and liaise with auditors, tax advisers and commercial leaders.
Financial reporting
Deliver accurate management accounts, KPIs and statutory reports to deadlines.
Controls & compliance
Design and enforce internal controls and ensure compliance with accounting standards.
Team & systems
Manage the finance team, optimise processes and maintain ERP/reporting tools.
Typical Financial Controller responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Lead month‑end
Lead month‑end and year‑end close activities, ensuring timely reconciliations and accurate management accounts.
Prepare
Prepare and present monthly management reporting and variance analysis to senior management and the board.
Maintain
Maintain and improve internal controls, policies and accounting procedures to ensure compliance with UK GAAP/IFRS and statutory requirements.
Manage the statutory reporting process
Manage the statutory reporting process and liaise with external auditors and tax advisors.
Oversee accounts payable
Oversee accounts payable, accounts receivable, payroll and general ledger activities, delegating tasks and developing the team.
Own budgeting
Own budgeting, forecasting and cash flow processes; provide scenario analysis and support strategic planning.
Drive continuous improvement of finance systems
Drive continuous improvement of finance systems and processes, including ERP and reporting tools.
Support commercial teams with pricing
Support commercial teams with pricing, margin analysis, and project or product profitability reviews.
Financial Controller skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Fully qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA or ACA) or part‑qualified with substantial, demonstrable controller experience.
- Proven experience leading month‑end close, producing management accounts and managing statutory reporting.
- Strong technical accounting knowledge of UK GAAP and exposure to IFRS.
- Experience managing or supervising a small finance team and working with external auditors.
- Advanced Excel skills and practical experience with an ERP/finance system.
- Clear communicator able to present financial information to non‑finance stakeholders.
Useful where relevant
- Experience in the company’s sector (for example: technology, manufacturing, retail or professional services).
- Experience implementing or upgrading ERP/reporting systems.
- Treasury, tax or corporate finance experience such as cash management or transaction support.
- Experience managing or supporting multi‑entity group reporting.
- Knowledge of automation and reporting tools (Power BI, Tableau or similar).
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Financial Controller job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
State reporting lines and scope
Specify who the role reports to (FD/CEO) and the size of the finance team or revenue band to set clear expectations.
Be explicit about technical needs
Call out required qualifications and essential technical skills (e.g. month‑end close, statutory reporting, ERP experience).
Give practical examples of success
Ask for achievements such as process improvements, audit management or forecasting accuracy rather than generic ‘strong communicator’ lines.
Clarify hybrid and hours
Controllers often need predictable presence during close periods. State hybrid working patterns and core hours.
Financial Controller salary considerations
Salaries for Financial Controllers vary widely. Instead of a single market number, consider the main factors that determine pay for this role and benchmark against similar organisations.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Financial Controller candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What is the role’s reporting line and decision‑making authority?
Candidates need to know whether they report to the FD/CEO and whether they have sign‑off authority or budget responsibility.
What is the size and structure of the finance team?
Applicants will want to know the number of direct reports and whether the role manages payroll, AP/AR or shared service functions.
What are the working pattern and expectations around month‑end?
State hybrid/remote policy, core office days and whether additional hours are expected during close periods.
Which finance systems and tools are in use?
List the ERP, payroll and reporting tools in use or indicate if a migration/project is planned.
What is the breadth of the role (statutory, tax, treasury, consolidation)?
Candidates need clarity on whether the role covers group reporting, tax filings, cash management or external stakeholder liaison.
Where to post a Financial Controller job
Financial Controller roles attract candidates from both accounting firms and industry. Use a mix of national job boards for reach, specialist finance jobsites and professional networks (e.g. ACCA/CIMA communities) to target qualified accountants. Include local advertising if you need candidates willing to be on‑site during close periods, and amplify senior roles via LinkedIn and industry groups.
Financial Controller job description FAQs
Is a professional accounting qualification essential for a Financial Controller?
Many employers expect a recognised qualification (ACCA, CIMA or ACA), but experienced part‑qualified candidates with significant controller experience may be acceptable depending on scope and seniority.
How does a Financial Controller differ from a Finance Manager?
A Controller typically focuses on month‑end, statutory reporting, controls and the integrity of accounts, while a Finance Manager may be more involved in day‑to‑day operational finance and supporting business units.
Should I include a salary range in the advert?
Yes. Providing a clear salary range improves application quality and saves time for both employer and candidate. Ensure the range reflects the role’s scope and local market.
When should I engage a recruiter for this hire?
Consider a recruiter when you need to confidentially search for senior candidates, reach passive talent, or when the role requires sector‑specific expertise that your internal team cannot easily access.
Ready to hire a Financial Controller?
Use this template to create a clear advert, include specific scope and reporting details, and advertise on targeted finance channels to attract qualified candidates.
