Financial Controller Salary Trends
A financial controller is a senior executive role within a company’s financial department. They are responsible for overseeing the company’s financial operations, both day-to-day and long-term. Financial controllers are often referred to as “company historians” as they oversee their accounting and financial record keeping.
The salary of a financial controller will vary depending on their location, company size, experience, and industry. Several factors will determine a financial controller’s salary and other compensation she may receive.
At FD Capital, we work with financial professionals searching for roles as financial controllers in companies of all sizes throughout the UK and abroad. Whether you’re recruiting a financial controller or looking for a new opportunity as a financial controller, our team is here to help.
Contact our team at recruitment@fdcapital.co.uk or call us on 020 3287 9501 for a no-obligation consultation. Find financial controller jobs with www.fdcapital.co.uk and explore the latest financial controller vacancies, including part-time, interim, and remote job opportunities.
What Do Financial Controllers Do?
Financial controllers are responsible for the financial management of their company. They’ll work closely alongside other financial professionals within the company who are responsible for accounting, auditing, and budgeting.
The role of a financial controller is varied and focuses primarily on reporting. It’s why financial controllers are often known as “company historians” as they record balance sheets, profits, and cash flow. They’re crucial to ensure that the company remains in compliance with any reporting regulations.
A financial controller will have several qualifications that make them suitable for the role. They’ll typically have a degree in accounting, business, or finance, and may have formal certifications from a governing body or institution. A company may also require desirable candidates to have a master’s degree and at least seven years of accounting experience.
The role of financial controller includes:
- Overseeing the company’s accounting, analysis, reporting, financial statements, and regulatory statements.
- Implementing internal controls and developing financial processes.
- Presenting financial reports and risk management strategies.
- Ensuring the company remains compliant with government and industrial regulatory requirements.
Salary Expectations for Financial Controllers
The salary of a financial controller will vary depending on several factors. Different publications report estimates ranging anywhere from £50,000 to over £100,000 per year for a financial controller’s salary. Research from Indeed Salaries suggests that the average salary is £56,094 per year across the UK.
Regional Salary Trends
Regionally, salaries for financial controllers in London will be higher due to the cost of living and the type of companies the city attracts. Morgan McKinley estimates that the average annual salary for Financial Controllers in London is between £75,000 to £110,000. Financial controllers in London also receive additional conversation between £5,000 and £16,000, averaging an additional £8,600 more than their regional counterparts.
Manchester also offers competitive salaries for financial controllers and is typically higher than other cities throughout the UK. Financial controllers in Manchester earn between £50,000 to £90,000 per year. By comparison, this average is between £54,000 to £78,000 for financial controllers in Birmingham.
In Edinburgh, the average is comparatively higher, with financial controllers earning £52,000 to £89,000 per year. In Glasgow, the average is slightly lower at £55,000 to £81,000 a year.
Salary Trends by Experience
Experience will also determine the salary that a financial controller will receive. Entry-level professionals with less than one year’s experience in the role will receive a lower salary, while those with over a decade of experience will receive closer to the median salary. Top-level salaries of over £60,000 are usually reserved for professionals with twenty years of experience in the industry.
Financial Controller Salaries by Industries
The industry a company operates in will also determine the salary a financial controller is likely to receive.
Financial controllers who work within banking and finance earn the highest salaries with a range of £80,000 to £150,000. These professionals also have significant compensation and bonuses attached to their contracts.
Energy, utilities, and technology companies also offer competitive salaries for financial controllers of between £70,000 to £120,000 in London. The company’s size, operations, and regulatory requirements will determine the type of salary a financial controller can earn.
Healthcare and pharmaceutical companies also offer higher salaries in the region of £65,000 to £110,000 per year. Financial controllers usually receive a smaller salary from companies within the consumer goods and retail industries, typically between £55,000 and £95,000 per year
Salary Trends by Company Size
The salary that a financial controller earns will also depend on the size of the company they work for. SMEs will typically require their financial controllers to take on more responsibilities. They’ll usually earn between £45,000 and £80,000 per year depending on the company’s industry and location.
More competitive salaries can be found amongst medium-sized companies where they’ll be seeking to attract highly skilled professionals who can help grow their company. Mid-sized companies in the UK typically offer a salary of between £60,000 and £100,000 per year for financial controllers.
Within larger corporations, financial controllers will have more specific responsibilities and may be expected to work internationally and deal with different financial jurisdictions. These companies will typically offer a salary of between £80,000 to £150,000 for financial controllers.
Public sector companies and non-profits will offer a lower salary than private sector organisations. Most financial controllers will earn between £50,000 to £90,000 a year.
Financial Controller Salary Trends in the UK
Financial controller salaries are on the rise throughout the UK, but the salaries offered to candidates will depend on several factors. The company’s size, location, and industry will determine the salary range they can offer. London companies will typically offer the highest salary for financial controllers across every industry.
A candidate’s experience and qualifications will determine the exact salary the company offers them within the range they’re able to budget for.
Join FD Capital’s Financial Controller Talent Pool
Salary trends vary for financial controllers throughout the UK, with factors like the company’s size, industry, and location determining the salary they can offer.
Are you ready to take the next steps to becoming a financial controller? FD Capital is the UK’s leading financial recruitment agency with an extensive talent pool of financial controllers, available to hire on a part-time, full-time, and interim basis, both in-house and remotely. Become part of our talent pool today by contacting our team at recruitment@fdcapital.co.uk or 020 3287 9501.
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