Group Financial Controller

Group Financial Controller

St Albans or Brighton | Hybrid (12 days in the office)

Reporting to the Director of Finance

Ready to take the next step in your finance career?

We're looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Group Financial Controller who loves improving processes, using data to drive decisions, and embracing technology to make finance smarter.

Whether you're stepping into your first Group Financial Controller role or looking for a lateral move into a growing business where you can genuinely make an impact, this could be the opportunity you've been waiting for.

This isn't a traditional finance role. We're looking for someone who enjoys getting into the detail, questioning how things are done, and finding better ways through automation, AI and continuous improvement.

You'll work closely with our Director of Finance, playing a key role in shaping the future of our finance function while supporting a growing international business.

What you'll be doing

You'll take ownership of our financial control environment whilst helping transform how finance supports the wider business.

You'll:

• Lead the month-end close and financial reporting process
• Own the integrity of the general ledger and financial controls
• Oversee Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, billing and payroll
• Produce insightful management reporting that supports commercial decision-making
• Partner with senior stakeholders across the business
• Drive process improvements, automation and AI adoption
• Work alongside our data team to improve financial reporting and business insight
• Support the Director of Finance with strategic and commercial projects
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency, scalability and reporting accuracy

We're looking for someone who...

Has strong hands-on financial control experience

Enjoys improving processes rather than maintaining the status quo

Has led finance transformation, automation or systems improvements

Is confident using data to tell the commercial story behind the numbers

Has experience of AI tools or is excited about using AI within finance

Thrives in a fast-paced, evolving business

Is comfortable rolling up their sleeves whilst also thinking strategically

Can influence stakeholders across the business

Wants to make a real impact rather than simply producing month-end accounts

Essential experience

• ACA or ACCA Qualified
• 3-5+ years PQE
• Strong financial reporting and month-end ownership
• SME or high-growth business experience
• Xero or similar ERP systems
• Payroll oversight
• Commercial reporting and business partnering
• Process improvement and change management

We'd love it if you also have experience of:

• Power BI
• SQL
• Automation tools
• AI (Copilot, Claude, ChatGPT or similar)
• Dashboard development
• Financial modelling

Why join HEP?

At HEP we're transforming online higher education by partnering with leading universities across the UK and internationally.

You'll be joining a business that's growing, evolving and investing heavily in technology, automation and data. That means you'll have the opportunity to influence how finance operates, introduce new ideas and build better ways of working.

If you enjoy solving problems, challenging processes and making a visible impact, you'll fit right in.

What you'll get

• Competitive salary - £70,000 - £80,000 (DoE)
• Hybrid working (1-2 days in the office)
• Company pension
• Health & wellbeing programme
• Free flu vaccinations
• Employee discounts
• Referral scheme
• Sick pay
• On-site parking

Sound like you?

If you're looking for a role where you can combine technical finance expertise with commercial thinking, data, automation and continuous improvementwe'd love to hear from you.

HEP is a Disability Confident and equal opportunity employer. HEP evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, protected veteran status, disability status or any other legally protected characteristic.