Senior Financial Controller

My client is an award-winning investment specialist with a heritage dating back over 25 years. A trusted provider, they work in partnership with advisers. Their businesses cover tax-efficient solutions, early stage investing, managed portfolio services, property financing and renewable energy. As an environmental, social and governance (ESG) investor, they work for a positive impact. They are proud to be entrusted with over £600 million in assets under management and administration.

Purpose of Role

To take responsibility for the day-to-day management of the Investment Company Accounts department within Investments for a fast-growing investment management business. Have financial control oversight of the investment-related businesses which operate under the direction of Heads of Investment Teams and under the overall direction of the Chief Investment Officer.

Reporting to the Finance Director, the role will provide direct interfaces with senior management, and the Investment Teams. The role will have a significant amount of autonomy and is required to provide system improvements, implementation and managing of best practise financial controls and reporting to key stakeholders.

Key Accountabilities

• To manage all portfolio companies accounting related matters including; preparing management accounts / financial statements, management reporting, budgeting, forecasting, variance analysis, cash management, cash flow reporting and business structuring.
• Oversight of the monthly management client fund accounts / information packs and highlighting to senior management key trends and issues for appropriate business decisions to be made.
• Recommend changes and that will improve financial performance of portfolio companies and create, implement and maintain robust and effective processes and controls in the finance function to safeguard investor's assets.
• Identify and drive business improvement in cash management and ensure payment schedules align to cash flow requirements for client accounts.
• Management, coaching and development of existing fund accounts team and contribution to the team as it grows with the business including supporting their career development and accountancy training as necessary.
• Liaising with external auditors, tax reporting (including VAT, CIS, CT), and management of external accounting providers with regards to the production of annual statutory client fund accounts.
• To develop a strong understanding of the investment portfolio business model and the challenges that it will face and provide advice on how to manage those challenges including creation of financial models and forecasting analysis to inform key management decision-making.
• Assisting Investment Teams on structuring transactions, providing technical advice as necessary such as VAT, SDLT, capital allowances, and monitoring loan covenants across all areas.
• Compliance and monitoring as necessary including oversight of the Energy Portfolio's senior debt facilities with various third-party lenders, and ensure all loan and interest commitments are met, submission of semi-annual financial covenant reports and distribution requests.
• Manage outsourced accounting relationships, ensuring an oversight model is in place and adhered to.
• Support the implementation of IT systems and the integration into the wider Finance technology solution for the business.

Essential Experience

• Have experience of working in a multi-company group structure at a private equity firm, fund administrator or asset manager.
• Current experience managing finance functions.
• Have excellent communication, written and interpersonal skills.
• Be a good team player, proactive approach and commercial mindset.
• Have astute attention to detail and demonstrable experience in highly analytical roles.
• Be well organised and have good time management skills.
• Strong track record of influencing at a senior level.
• Able to confidently take a lead on technical accounting matters.
• Working knowledge of Sage accounting software is advantageous. Be proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Desirable Experience

• Be an excellent people manager with strong process design and project management skills and experience of managing outsourced accountancy services as well as internal junior finance members.
• The culture of the business is honest and meritocratic and suited to a self-driven individual who is detail orientated, motivated, career minded and keen to work in a sociable and people facing environment.
• To be hands on and prepared to undertake all accounting duties where necessary due to the nature of the opportunistic businesses and the small team that manages the functions.

Essential Qualifications

• Hold a minimum 2:1 degree educated or equivalent.
• Qualified Accountant ideally ACA, ACCA, CIMA with a technically strong
• background and at least 5 years post qualified practice in a commercial
• environment.

What you need to do now
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