Group Financial Controller

ROLE SUMMARY AND DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

The Finance department covers a broad scope of financial planning, recording, controlling and reporting activities from transactional accounting through to the provision of analysis and forecasting for decision-making. The department supports senior management in exercising budgetary and financial control in pursuit of the company’s strategic objectives.

The Group Financial Controller is responsible for the effective day-to-day operation and oversight of the Finance department. The Finance department oversees the Group’s management, financial, regulatory & liquidity reporting.

Department structure:

Group Financial Controller

• FP&A Manager

- Management Accountant & Payroll Analyst (Actuals; Payroll)                                                - Accounts Assistant (Accounts Payable)

• Financial Reporting Manager

- Accounts Assistant (Accounts Receivable)

• Group Statutory Accountant
• Liquidity Reporting Accountant
• Regulatory Reporting Accountant

RESPONSIBILITIES

As the Group Financial Controller, you will be responsible for overseeing all financial activities within the organisation. Your role will encompass strategic and financial planning, financial reporting & analysis, and ensuring regulatory compliance. The key responsibilities of the role are:

1. Financial Strategy: Develop and implement financial strategies aligned with Peel Hunt’s strategic objectives and growth targets. Support the GFD and provide guidance on capital allocation, financial risk management, and investment decisions.

2. Financial Reporting: Oversee the preparation and analysis of Peel Hunt’s listed financial statements, ensuring accuracy and transparency in reporting and also planning for, and implementing, changes to and compliance with the accounting standards.

3. External Audit process: work with our external auditors to provide an efficient audit, working closely with the GFD on key audit matters and dealing with audit issues and key judgements as required. Implement any audit control improvements in a timely manner.

4. Budgeting and Forecasting: Lead the budgeting process and collaborate with department heads to establish financial goals and performance targets. Monitor financial performance against budgets and provide insights for decision-making.

5. Cash and Liquidity Management: Design and operate key controls over liquidity and cash management, including regular cash flow forecasting, working capital management and ensuring financial stability for the Group. Report on cash management and liquidity to the Executive Board and Risk Committee of the Group.

6. Regulatory Reporting: Oversight of all regulatory plans and assessments, including the ICARA (incorporating Recovery Plan, Wind-Down Plan, Contingency Funding Plan) and regulatory disclosures. Implement and oversee all prudential risk capital and liquidity (IFPRU) reporting, escalating issues as required. Oversight of the prudential risk scenario modelling, stress testing and assumptions for the regulatory plans and assessments, in conjunction with the Risk Management department.

7. Payroll: Oversight and operation of the payroll processes for the Group, including salary sacrifice schemes and payroll taxes.

8. Risk Management: Develop and implement a sound control infrastructure for the Finance team, including key policies and procedures, to help mitigate financial risks. Ensure any legal or regulatory requirements or changes are monitored and controls designed and implemented to satisfy our obligations.

9. Tax Oversight and Compliance: Provide oversight of all tax matters across the Group, including VAT, corporation tax (UK/US/Denmark), payroll taxes, operational taxes, and partnership taxes. Ensure compliance with all tax obligations of the Group, also including (but not limited to) transfer pricing, Corporate Criminal Offences, and Qualified Intermediary filings in the US.

10. Financial Analysis: Conduct in-depth financial analysis across the Group to support strategic decision-making, provide detailed analysis of key business lines to support performance management, and assess the financial health of the bank, including stress and scenario testing for going concern and any financial covenants.

11. Forecasting: provide detailed financial forecasts for the Group on a regular basis to Senior Management and the listed company Board. Highlight key implications for the Group of the forecasts, including investment opportunities, capital allocation strategies, LTIP implications and financial covenant analysis.

12. Team Leadership: Manage and mentor a team of finance professionals, including financial analysts, accountants, and reporting specialists. Foster a collaborative and high-performance culture within the Finance department.

13. Stakeholder Communication: Communicate financial performance, forecasts, and strategic initiatives to Senior Management, the listed company Board and the Executive Board. Present financial reports and analysis in a clear and concise manner.

14. Continuous Improvement: Drive process improvements and efficiencies within the finance function through automation, streamlining of workflows, and adoption of best practices. Identify areas for cost optimisation and control efficiencies.

KEY CAPABILITIES AND KNOWLEDGE 

1. Qualified accountant (ACCA, CIMA, or ACA) with 10 years of relevant experience in an investment bank or a similar financial institution

2. Excellent analytical and numerical skills, with proven attention to detail

3. Strong reporting skills, including Excel

4. Self-motivated and commercially minded

5. Strong communication and presentation skills

6. Good organisation and process management skills

7. Proven leadership and management skills over a number of years in a senior leadership position in financial services

8. Financial services background, preferably in an equity investment banking environment

9. Ability to work under pressure

10. Strong team building and delegation skillset

ROLE COMPENTENCIES

1. Analytical
2. Numerical
3. Detail Orientated
4. Problem Solving
5. Commercial Awareness
6. Technical Expertise