Financial Controller

Financial Controller (Contract)

Location: Hybrid – 3 days/week in West End London

Start Date: ASAP

Rate: £600–£800/day (Outside IR35)

Duration: 6 months (initial), with potential for extension

Reporting To: Chief Financial Officer

Business:

We are supporting a mid-market education business with revenues of approximately £90m, backed by a reputable mid-market private equity fund. As a market leader in its sector, the organisation delivers industry-aligned education across the UK and Europe.

Following a recent strategic acquisition, the business is undergoing a transformation of its finance and operations functions, with a focus on control, reporting, and cash management.

Overview:

This is a hands-on, high-impact interim opportunity for a technically strong and commercially experienced Financial Controller. You’ll support the CFO in leading the day-to-day finance function, restoring stability following team changes, and driving delivery of key financial milestones.

The role includes leading the year-end process, managing the audit, and implementing stronger financial controls, while contributing to ongoing finance transformation. The business uses NetSuite as its ERP platform, with a 31st August year-end.

Responsibilities:

• Lead day-to-day finance operations including AP/AR, general ledger, procurement, and revenue recognition
• Prepare and deliver monthly management accounts with KPIs and executive-level commentary
• Own the year-end close and statutory reporting process
• Manage the external audit, ensuring timely delivery and resolution of audit queries
• Oversee budgeting, forecasting, and cash flow modelling
• Strengthen internal controls, financial policies, and compliance frameworks
• Provide strategic financial insight and challenge to senior stakeholders
• Support reporting requirements for lenders and private equity investors
• Mentor and support a small finance team (nine), while improving financial literacy across the organisation
• Collaborate with transformation teams to enhance reporting, processes, and NetSuite usage

Essentials:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with strong post-qualification experience
• Demonstrated experience leading audits and preparing statutory accounts (UK GAAP/IFRS)
• Strong technical accounting background and familiarity with audit processes
• Prior experience in private equity-backed businesses, including investor reporting
• Proven ability to stabilise or rebuild finance functions in periods of change
• Hands-on experience with ERP systems – NetSuite preferred
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with ability to manage multiple stakeholders
• Self-motivated, adaptable, and confident operating in a dynamic environment

Desirable:

• Experience in the education, training, or regulated services sectors
• Familiarity with reporting and governance standards required by mid-market PE investors

This is an immediate start, please apply if this is of interest.

Unfortunately, given the number of applications, we may struggle to provide feedback to all unsuccessful parties.