Group Financial Controller

Established in 2004, OLIVER is the world’s first and only specialist in designing, building, and running bespoke in-house agencies and marketing ecosystems for brands. We partner with over 300 clients in 40+ countries and counting. Our unique model drives creativity and efficiency, allowing us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate deeply with audiences. 

As a part of The Brandtech Group, we're at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge AI technology to revolutionise how we create and deliver work. Our AI solutions enhance efficiency, spark creativity, and drive insightful decision-making, empowering our teams to produce innovative and impactful results. 

Role:  UK Group Financial Controller - 14 months FTC

Location:  London, England, United Kingdom (Hybrid – 2-3 days per week in office)

About The Role:

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic UK Group Financial Controller to provide maternity cover. This is a critical leadership role responsible for leading and developing the UK financial reporting team while ensuring robust financial management, compliance, and strategic support for the business.

What You Will Be Doing:

•  Team Leadership & Development
•  Month-End Reporting
•  Financial Management
•  Technical & Regulatory Compliance
•  Senior Financial Support & Business Partnering
•  Forecasting & Reporting
• Approvals & Audit
• You will be open and willing to attend sustainability training relevant to your role and soak up recommended research and reading about sustainability issues
•  Lead, develop, and mentor the UK financial reporting team, fostering an inclusive and high-performing culture.
•  Support recruitment, training, and professional development of financial talent.
•  Take overall responsibility for accurate UK P&L reporting in line with group timelines.
•  Reconcile all key balance sheet accounts monthly and conduct quarterly reviews of the full balance sheet to mitigate financial risks.
•  Prepare regional review packs in collaboration with the Director of Business Partnering.
•  Work closely with the Group reporting team to ensure clear and transparent communication of expectations.
• Lead annual financial planning and quarterly reforecast processes (Overheads, Hub, and OMG).
• Build and maintain a rolling UK forecast to manage costs and forecast assumptions effectively.
• Partner with the CEO and CFO to deliver financial plans that meet margin targets (e.g., cost savings initiatives).
• Maintain robust financial controls within the UK business.
•  Provide technical guidance on US and UK GAAP to the reporting team.
•  Partner with the HFBP to ensure revenue recognition aligns with US GAAP and evolving requirements (e.g., SBOX).
•  Collaborate with the Tax team to ensure HMRC compliance.
•  Partner with senior stakeholders, overhead managers, and department heads to ensure accurate reporting and budget adherence.
•  Support cost control and financial decision-making across the business.
•  Update the B&S forecast weekly, quarterly RF, and annual budgets.
•  Review and reconcile balance sheets across the UK trading group, ensuring sufficient documentation and schedules.
•  Review monthly payroll processing and journal entries, ensuring proper allocation of costs across entities.
•  Review the P&L with the MA/FM, investigating variances against forecasts for monthly FD reviews.
•  Review and approve purchase orders at the finance level for relevant departments.
•  Lead and coordinate internal and external audits for UK Group businesses
•  Prepare and provide all required documentation, schedules, and explanations to auditors in a timely and accurate manner.
•  Act as the primary point of contact between the business and audit teams, ensuring effective communication and resolution of queries.
•  Oversee the planning and execution of audit processes, monitor progress against timelines, and address findings or recommendations proactively to strengthen internal controls and compliance.
•  Support management in implementing corrective actions and maintaining audit readiness throughout the year

What You Need To Be Great In This Role:

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent).
•  Proven experience in financial leadership, preferably in a group or multi-entity environment.
•  Strong knowledge of UK GAAP, US GAAP, and HMRC compliance.
•  Excellent communication, analytical, and organisational skills.
•  Ability to work collaboratively across teams and with senior leadership.
•  Experience managing payroll, balance sheet reconciliations, and forecasting.
•  Strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines.
• You can be the change - you prioritise environmental responsibility, social equity, and economic viability and how that translates into your day-to-day role
• Req ID: 14587#LI-KA1 #LI-Hybrid #LI-director
• Our values shape everything we do: 
• Be Ambitious to succeed   
• Be Imaginative to push the boundaries of what’s possible   
• Be Inspirational to do groundbreaking work   
• Be always learning and listening to understand   
• Be Results-focused  to exceed expectations   
• Be actively pro-inclusive and anti-racist across our community, clients and creations    

OLIVER, a part of the Brandtech Group, is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive working environment where all employees are encouraged to reach their full potential, and individual differences are valued and respected. All applicants shall be considered for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, neurodivergence, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by local laws.   

 OLIVER has set ambitious environmental goals around sustainability, with science-based emissions reduction targets. Collectively, we work towards our mission, embedding sustainability into every department and through every stage of the project lifecycle.