Description

Financial Controller - Boutique Bank

Excellent opportunity opens for a Financial Controller experienced in working in smaller, hands-on environments to join a growing Boutique Bank's Finance Department in a crucial, collaborative role. The successful candidate will ensure accurate and timely financial reporting , owning the trial balance, journals, reconciliations, and balance sheet reviews. The role will lead year-end accounts preparation, manage audits, and ensure compliance with tax and regulatory requirements , while maintaining a strong financial control environment.

Key Responsibilities

Year-end accounts and External audit Coordination:

• Prepare and review year-end financial statement in compliance with relevant accounting standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain detailed lead schedules and supporting documentation for yearend accounts.
• Manage the external audit process, ensuring timely and accurate delivery of all required information
• Ensure compliance with tax obligations, including liaison with tax advisors and submission of returns.

Monthly reporting:

• Lead the month end close process ensuring deadlines are met, reviewing balance sheet and P&L along with supporting the FP&A team in the preparation and presentation of financial reports, any variance commentary, analysis and insights.
• Own and maintain the trial balance, ensuring completeness and accuracy of all financial data.
• Prepare and post journals, including accruals, prepayments, and other adjustments.
• Perform and review balance sheet reconciliations, investigating and resolving discrepancies promptly.
• Maintain and enhance financial controls and processes to ensure a strong control environment.

Team leadership and management:

• Supervise and mentor the finance team, ensuring efficient workflows and professional development.

Regulatory Compliance:

• Ensure adherence to financial regulations, policies, and internal controls specific to banking sector.

Continuous Improvement:

• Identify and implement improvements in financial schedules and processes to enhance accuracy and efficiency.
• Maintain effective stakeholder relationships and proactive collaboration with team members.
• Support the CFO and finance team as necessary.

Essential & Desired knowledge, skills, and experience

Essential:

• Professional qualification: ACA, ACCA, or CIMA (or equivalent) with strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Previous experience in banking or financial services, particularly with lending and deposit products.
• Hands-on experience in core finance processes: trial balance ownership, journal postings, reconciliations, and month-end close.
• Experience preparing statutory accounts and managing external audits.
• Ability to work in a small team environment, taking ownership and performing tasks directly (not just review).
• Excellent attention to detail and ability to maintain accuracy in manual processes.
• Strong Excel skills and comfort working with limited automation.
• Proactive problem-solving and ability to manage competing priorities.
• Clear communication skills for liaising with auditors, regulators, and internal stakeholders.

Desirable:

• Experience with manual process improvement and implementing controls in low-automation environments.
• Knowledge of treasury operations and balance sheet management.
• Familiarity with Basel reporting, ICAAP/ILAAP, and other regulatory frameworks.
• Ability to mentor and develop junior staff in a small team setting.

Interested? Please Apply!

Financial Controller Finance Manager Head of Finance Financial Control ACA ACCA CIMA Bank Banking Manual Financial Services Management Accounts Trial Balance Journals Reconciliations Balance Sheet Review Account Preparation Audit