Financial Controller Recruitment

Recruit a Financial Controller with FD Capital

Finance Director

A financial controller is a crucial role within any company. The role – also known as an FC‘ – involves overseeing the company’s financial operations and its reporting process. A company’s financial controller is responsible for internal control implementation, ensuring reporting compliance, overseeing budget preparation, and handling transaction reporting.

Start-ups and SMEs can recruit a financial controller as an alternative to a CFO. These highly qualified financial professionals typically have at least a decade of experience in the industry. You can build your leadership or finance team with a financial controller who will work closely with the CEO or CFO to oversee the company’s financial performance.

FD Capital is the UK’s leading recruitment agency for financial controllers, connecting start-ups, SMEs, and scaling companies with specialist financial professionals. Our talent pool of financial controllers is available for immediate starts on a part-time, full-time, interim, and remote basis.

Start your search for a financial controller today by contacting our team at recruitment@fdcapital.co.uk or by calling us on 020 3287 9501 for a no-obligation

What is a Financial Controller?

A financial controller is a senior managerial role responsible for overseeing the day-to-day financial operations of a company. They take responsibility for the company’s books, records, and accounting function – which is why they are sometimes called the “company historian”.

Recruiting a Financial Controller is a pivotal decision for any business aiming to strengthen its financial management and strategic planning. At FD Capital, we specialize in connecting companies with highly skilled Financial Controllers who can drive financial performance and support business growth.

Understanding the Role of a Financial Controller

A Financial Controller is a senior executive responsible for overseeing an organization’s financial operations, including accounting, budgeting, and compliance. They ensure accurate financial reporting, develop financial strategies, and maintain robust internal controls. Their role is crucial in providing insights that inform strategic decisions and ensure financial stability.

Our Recruitment Process

At FD Capital, we follow a meticulous recruitment process to ensure the perfect match between candidates and businesses:

  1. Needs Assessment: We begin by understanding your company’s specific requirements, including industry, company size, and financial objectives.
  2. Candidate Sourcing: Leveraging our extensive network, we identify candidates with the right qualifications, experience, and cultural fit.
  3. Screening and Evaluation: We conduct thorough interviews and assessments to evaluate candidates’ technical skills, strategic thinking, and leadership abilities.
  4. Placement and Support: Once a suitable candidate is selected, we assist with the onboarding process and provide ongoing support to ensure a smooth transition.

The role can be altered to suit the needs of different sized companies. Within smaller companies, financial controllers are usually focused on accounting tasks. Within medium-size companies, financial controllers have the broadest range of responsibilities and may also be responsible for compliance, insurance, technology, and project management. Within large companies, financial controllers will usually work in partnership with CFOs and CAOs as part of the finance team.

🎯 Key Responsibilities of a Financial Controller

A Financial Controller is pivotal in ensuring an organization’s financial health and compliance. Their primary responsibilities include:FD Capital Recruitment

  • Financial Reporting & Compliance: Overseeing the preparation of accurate financial statements and ensuring adherence to regulatory standards such as IFRS and GAAP. Accountancy Capital

  • Budgeting & Forecasting: Developing and managing budgets, forecasting financial trends, and analyzing variances to inform strategic decisions. Investopedia+5Carv+5itsmega.com+5

  • Cash Flow Management: Monitoring and optimizing cash inflows and outflows to maintain liquidity and financial stability. Carv

  • Internal Controls & Risk Management: Implementing robust internal controls to mitigate financial risks and ensure data integrity. Carv

  • Team Leadership: Leading and mentoring the finance team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and professional development.

🎓 Essential Qualifications and Skills

To excel as a Financial Controller, candidates typically possess:

  • Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field; a master’s degree or MBA is often preferred.

  • Professional Certifications: Credentials such as CPA, ACCA, or CIMA, demonstrating a high level of expertise and commitment to the profession.

  • Experience: Extensive experience in accounting and financial management, including leadership roles overseeing financial operations.

  • Technical Proficiency: Expertise in financial software (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and advanced Excel skills for data analysis and reporting.

  • Soft Skills: Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills, with the ability to convey complex financial information clearly.

💼 Benefits of Hiring a Financial Controller

Engaging a skilled Financial Controller offers numerous advantages:

  • Strategic Financial Leadership: They provide insights that align financial practices with organisational goals, driving growth and profitability.

  • Enhanced Compliance and Risk Management: Ensuring adherence to financial regulations and implementing controls to mitigate risks.

  • Operational Efficiency: Streamlining financial processes and systems, leading to cost savings and improved financial performance.

  • Informed Decision-Making

The Responsibilities of a Financial Controller

The role and responsibilities of a financial controller will vary depending on the size of the company, but in general, their duties will include:

  • Analysing, preparing, and presenting regular financial reports, including budgeting and forecasting data.
  • Oversee the preparation of statutory accounts and present findings.
  • Evolve the end-to-end accounting practices to ensure compliance and efficiency.
  • Develop internal financial accounting systems and regularly monitor to ensure continued evolution.
  • Supervise the management of accounts receivable and payable.
  • Contribute to the company’s financial strategy, offering insight to feed into the decision-making process.
  • Oversee end-to-end audit processes of current financial systems and act as a go-between for the company and external auditors.
  • Manage and supervise the finance team, including those responsible for accounting, VAT, and payroll systems.
  • Regularly review financial reports and identify cost-saving strategies.
  • Develop a risk management strategy.
  • Identify opportunities for value creation and expansion potential by monitoring market trends.

When Should My Company Recruit a Financial Controller?

As your company starts to grow, your CEO will be spending more of their time overseeing other responsibilities and less time managing the books. While you might already be working with an accountant, you will inevitably need an in-house finance team to communicate with stakeholders and handle financial data.

There are three scenarios where your company should decide to recruit a financial controller:

  1. Revenue Milestones

Companies with more than £3.5 million in revenue will need the expertise and experience of a financial controller to oversee day-to-day financial management.

  1. Compliance

If your company is funded by financial institutions, investors, or venture capitalists, you may be required to recruit a financial controller to ensure that your financial statements are compliant.

  1. Growth

As your company grows, you need to build a team around you to ensure it remains in compliance and can maintain sustainable growth. Recruiting a financial controller will expand your company’s accounting capabilities and ensure that internal systems are operating correctly. Your financial controller will work in unison with your bookkeeper and deal with external auditors.

Finance Director

The Role of a Financial Controller

Financial controllers perform four distinctive roles within a company as a catalyst, strategist, steward, and operator.

  1. Catalyst

Financial controllers are catalysts for change, putting in place the processes and systems to safeguard the company’s financial health. They’ll ensure that external reporting and filing deadlines are met while overseeing any regulatory changes the company must adhere to.

  1. Steward

Controllers are responsible for a company’s asset and risk management. They’ll ensure that internal controls are correctly in place with suitable processes to monitor financial operations. They will collaborate with external auditors and ensure compliance with financial reporting.

  1. Strategist

Your financial controller is a strategist, working alongside the senior leadership team to provide direction and support decision-making. They’ll invest and implement accounting software and identify potential efficiency shortfalls that could be negatively impacting the company while proposing alternatives.

  1. Operator

A financial controller is responsible for overseeing the company’s day-to-day financial operations. Depending on the size of your company, they may be responsible for processing invoices, overseeing payment remittance, and record-keeping through accounting software.

Is a Financial Controller Part of the Executive Team?

Whether your financial controller is an executive role will depend on the size and set-up of your organisation. Traditionally the role has been an executive one within smaller organisations where there is not a CFO in place. As a company gets larger, the role becomes less of an executive position and more managerial, with the financial controller reporting to the CEO and CFO.

Why Choose FD Capital?

  • Industry Expertise: Our team comprises professionals with extensive experience in finance and recruitment, ensuring a deep understanding of your needs.
  • Tailored Solutions: We offer flexible recruitment options, including part-time, interim, and full-time Financial Controllers, to suit your business requirements.
  • Proven Track Record: We have successfully placed Financial Controllers across various industries, contributing to our clients’ financial success.

Get Started Today

Enhance your financial leadership by recruiting a top-tier Financial Controller with FD Capital. Contact us today to discuss your needs and discover how we can help you find the perfect candidate to drive your business forward.

The role of financial controller is swiftly evolving away from its traditional focus to become more of a catalyst role as a financial strategist. You want to recruit a financial professional who can think outside the box with adequate technological knowledge and capability to lead your company into the future with software investment and stakeholder engagement.

Recruit a Financial Controller with FD Capital

FD Capital is the UK’s leading financial recruitment agency, connecting start-ups and SMEs with financial controllers, who are available to work on a part-time, full-time, and interim basis, both in-house and remotely.

The FD Capital leadership team consists of entrepreneurs, consultants, and financial executives, who understand both sides of the recruitment process. Our 360-degree approach to recruitment is fully personalised to meet your recruiting needs, whether you’re utilising our headhunting services or traditional recruitment service.   We have a Financial Controller jobs board which can be found off of our navigation.

What Our Clients Say

Example Testimonials :

💬 “FD Capital helped us recruit a highly skilled Financial Controller within weeks. Their understanding of the finance sector and fast turnaround was impressive.”
CFO, London-based Tech Startup

💬 “We needed an interim Financial Controller for a complex transformation project. FD Capital delivered the right candidate quickly and professionally.”
Finance Director, National Retail Chain

💬 “The level of personal service and sector knowledge made all the difference. We’ll use FD Capital again without hesitation.”
CEO, SME Manufacturer, Midlands


Case Studies Section

Success Stories from Our Clients

Case Study: Scaling Finance in a Fast-Growth Tech Company

  • Client: A Series B-funded fintech company in Manchester

  • Challenge: Lacked in-house financial leadership during rapid expansion

  • Solution: FD Capital placed a part-time Financial Controller with SaaS and fundraising experience

  • Outcome: Enabled improved cash flow forecasting, investor reporting, and prepared the business for Series C investment

 

Start the process of recruiting a financial controller today by contacting our team at recruitment@fdcapital.co.uk or 020 3287 9501.

Bringing a Financial Controller on board through FD Capital can transform the way your business handles financial management, planning, and strategy. A skilled Financial Controller ensures that all financial processes are efficient, compliant, and aligned with your business goals, freeing up your time to focus on other priorities while enhancing overall financial stability. At FD Capital, we understand the importance of this role, which is why we are committed to finding you the perfect match—someone who not only possesses technical expertise but also brings strategic insight and a proactive approach.

Our Financial Controller recruitment service is ideal for businesses of all sizes, from start-ups needing part-time assistance to established companies seeking a full-time professional to oversee complex financial operations. Whether your business requires support with cash flow management, implementing better reporting systems, or preparing for significant growth phases, our Financial Controllers bring the skills to make a tangible impact.

Why Hiring the Right Financial Controller Matters

Recruiting a Financial Controller is a critical step for any business aiming to strengthen its financial foundation and strategic planning capabilities. At FD Capital, we understand that a controller does more than manage ledgers—they provide leadership, ensure compliance, and influence key business decisions.

An experienced Financial Controller oversees all accounting operations, ensures accuracy in reporting, and helps develop internal controls that protect company assets. For growing SMEs and established enterprises alike, they serve as the financial right hand to the CFO or CEO. By managing month-end close processes, financial analysis, and forecasting, a strong controller improves financial transparency and enables better planning.

At FD Capital, we specialise in matching businesses with Financial Controllers who not only bring technical accounting expertise but also strong commercial awareness. Our network includes candidates with sector-specific experience in industries such as technology, healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and financial services. Whether you’re hiring on a full-time, part-time, or interim basis, we ensure that the professional you hire is aligned with your business goals and culture.

Hiring through FD Capital offers tangible benefits: faster hiring times, access to pre-vetted professionals, and tailored support throughout the recruitment process. We take the time to understand your requirements and only present candidates who meet both the technical and cultural fit for your organization.

From preparing for external audits to implementing new ERP systems, our Financial Controllers have helped clients across the UK enhance their finance operations. If you’re looking to gain better control over your financial strategy, reduce risk, and enable data-driven decision-making, FD Capital is your trusted recruitment partner.

If you need a specialist Financial Controller / FC then we are the people to talk to. Our team have a wide range of experience

01

E-Commerce Expertise

02

Turnaround specialists

03

PE House / Venture Capital
specialists

04

Rapid Growth situations

05

Mergers and Aquisitions

06

Distressed situations

07

Debt refinancing

A key advantage of working with FD Capital is the flexibility of our recruitment options. We provide Financial Controllers for various engagement types, including part-time and interim positions, which can be invaluable for businesses facing temporary challenges or seasonal demands. For companies undergoing transitions like mergers or acquisitions, an interim Financial Controller can step in with immediate effect, ensuring financial continuity and seamless oversight.

With our rigorous selection process, we don’t just focus on qualifications but on finding a candidate who aligns with your company culture and understands your industry. Our recruiters have a deep knowledge of finance and extensive networks within sectors like technology, manufacturing, and professional services. This insight allows us to identify candidates who bring both technical know-how and an industry-specific perspective, enabling them to hit the ground running.

Start building a stronger financial future for your business. Contact FD Capital to discuss your Financial Controller recruitment needs and let us help you find a candidate who will play a vital role in driving your business forward.

We are confident whatever your business requirements are, we can find the perfect match for your business and situation.

FC Recruit / FD Recruit / CFO Recruit

We recruit them all!

We know there are many competitors in the market, but given the opportunity we are confident you will find us the best people to work with. Being Financial Controllers ourselves we know the roles, and having been active in the Recruitment niche since 2018 we know how FC’s think and work. let us Recruit the perfect FC or Financial Controller for you.

Partnering with FD Capital for Financial Controller recruitment ensures that your business gains not just a candidate, but a long-term asset to your financial team. Our Financial Controllers are skilled in implementing streamlined financial processes, optimizing cost structures, and delivering clear, actionable insights that can drive profitability and support sustainable growth. They bring a unique mix of technical skill and strategic acumen, making them essential to any business looking to strengthen its financial foundation and improve decision-making capabilities.

Our candidates are well-versed in key areas, including financial reporting, compliance, and tax planning. They have experience in leading financial transformations, whether it’s through refining budget processes, enhancing cash flow strategies, or building robust forecasting models. For companies preparing to attract investment or embark on expansion, a Financial Controller from FD Capital can offer invaluable support in presenting your financials in a compelling way and ensuring that your business is financially ready for the next phase.

Moreover, FD Capital’s recruitment process is designed to save you time and resources. We handle every step—from initial candidate sourcing to in-depth interviews and skills assessments—so that you can focus on running your business. Our team understands the nuances of recruiting for financial leadership roles and ensures a seamless process, aiming to deliver candidates who can make an immediate impact.

Choosing FD Capital means partnering with a recruitment agency that prioritizes long-term value and client satisfaction. We stay involved throughout the hiring process and beyond, offering support to both you and the placed Financial Controller to guarantee a successful integration. This commitment to ongoing success is what sets FD Capital apart and why businesses across various industries trust us with their Financial Controller recruitment needs.

Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you secure a Financial Controller who will elevate your financial operations, enhance compliance, and contribute to your strategic vision. At FD Capital, we’re committed to finding financial leaders who are as invested in your success as you are.

Don't have time to talk now?

Have one of our specialists call you back to discuss your hiring needs.