Job description

Financial Controllers manage the daily running of the finance operations of a business or organisation. Reporting to the Finance Director or directly to the board, Financial Controllers are responsible for ensuring the timely and accurate completion of financial reporting and analysis and will often be required to support and influence key decision making throughout a company or organisation.

The role of a Financial Controller (FC) is usually very hands on, but also often involves team management and close working with (non financial) managers from varied business departments.

Typical duties include:

• Ensuring that all regular financial reporting is accurate and delivered on time.
• Ensuring that financial reporting processes conform to internal and statutory requirements.
• Co-ordinating and delivering tax and regulatory returns and statutory reports and accounts.
• Regular management information reports, including budgeting and forecasting, profit and loss accounts, cash flow reporting etcetera.
• Financial analysis and providing recommendations for improvements.
• Acting as representative of the finance function where required.
• Providing the information and analysis to support decision making.

Financial Controllers must possess excellent technical financial ability, commercial acumen, influencing skills and good all-round business knowledge.

Qualifications

Most FC jobs require qualified accountants with significant experience of all areas of finance.

Salary snapshot

Recent salaries advertised on TopFinancialJobs (November 2009) include:

• £60-70,000 per annum for a qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) Financial Controller working for a FTSE listed organisation in Berkshire.
• £38-45,000 per annum for a qualified (ACA, ACCA, CIMA) Financial Controller working for a fast paced manufacturing business in West Yorkshire.
• £51-60,000 per annum for a qualified Financial Controller working for a leading retailer in central London.
• £26-30 per hour for a qualified Financial Controller working on a temporary contract for a telecoms business in Surrey.

Are you a Financial Controller? Would you like to contribute to our "Day in the Life of..." series? Email us at info@topfinancialjobs.co.uk for more details.