Financial Controller

What you'll do
To ensure the smooth running of the company's finance function and oversight of the Finance and Accounting department. To look for ways of saving the company money and improving profitability and growth. Assist the Finance Director and to contribute to the wider internal management of Benchmark, Schroders Group Finance Team, and other committees and forums as deemed appropriate.

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
• Provide leadership to the Finance and Accounting strategy, to optimise the company's financial performance and strategic position.
• Contribute fully to the development of finance department strategy across all areas of the business, challenging assumptions and decision-making as appropriate and providing financial analysis and guidance on all activities, plans, targets and business drivers.
• Responsible for formulating and reviewing BCL's internal stress-tests and ensuring the accuracy and timeliness of information provided to the FCA for the purposes of stress-testing.
• Provide leadership and help develop the finance team.
• Work with senior teams to grow the business, formulating strategies and plans.
• Ensure corporate budgeting processes are carried out and reviewed.
• Manage the company's treasury management policies.
• Monitor that the regulatory requirements of all statutory bodies are met.
• Corporate finance: manage company policies regarding capital requirements, debt, taxation, equity, disposals and acquisitions, as appropriate.
• Manage other group company policies, allocated to the Finance Department.
• Producing reports for board and committee presentation.
• Establish a high level of credibility and manage strong working relationships with external parties including customers and advisors.
• Analysing the company's financial performance and making long term forecasts
• Manage the group's budgeting process.
• Overseeing the annual financial audit
• Recommending ways of maximising benefits to costs
• Keeping track of the company's financial transactions, including:

o Systematic recording of financial transactions
o Analysis of recorded transactions
o Evaluation of financial position of business
o Producing information for use by management for decision making, planning and performance evaluation
o Producing financial statements for meeting regulatory requirements
o Understanding solvency position

• Degree in a related subject such as maths, economics, or business
• Completed their accountancy qualifications from one of the following bodies:

o Associations of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
o Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
o Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)

• 10 years post-qualification experience
• Strong understanding of IFRS and other accounting standards
• Proficiency in accounting software and IT literate
• Strong analytical skills
• Broad knowledge of accounting principles
• Excellent leadership, influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent communicator at all levels

About Benchmark
Our award-winning, proprietary solutions cover regulatory, platform and investment services, and are designed to support advisers at every step of their journey from starting and running a financial advice business more productively and effectively, to accelerating its growth and realising its value.
We support high quality financial advisers with our award-winning technology and support services.
And with our own Financial Advice business, we help families find solutions to meet their needs and aspirations and achieve peace of mind. By providing access to higher quality solutions, we make it easier for them to meet and exceed their goals.
Ensuring good client outcomes, with the client's interests central to decision making, is very important at Benchmark. Treating Customers Fairly principles are embedded within our organisation and we take responsibility for embracing and promoting our duty of care to all clients, including those who may be more vulnerable than others.

The base
You'll be based at our Broadlands Business Campus near Horsham in West Sussex. It has high standards and international reputation, without being in the city: a big, countryside campus means life will feel a little different. We support our offices by using cutting edge software and hardware and our spacious campus facilities mean there's a great working environment for the team. With an on-site restaurant, coffee shop and gym, our campus has much to offer. And commuters can relax on our dedicated regular shuttle bus to and from Horsham's main line train station.
We know that helping you balance personal and professional commitments is a big part of that, so we're open to flexible working. Many of our staff work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time. Please talk to us at interview about the flexibility you need.

What you'll be like

• Promoter of the Treating Customers Fairly principles and deliver your own responsibility for the duty of care to our clients.
• Experience in financial services and FCA reporting.
• Proactively update CPD
• Degree in a related subject such as maths, economics, or business
• Completed their accountancy qualifications from one of the following bodies:
  • Associations of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA)
  • Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA)
  • Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales (ICAEW)
• 10 years post-qualification experience
• Strong understanding of IFRS and other accounting standards
• Proficiency in accounting software and IT literate
• Strong analytical skills
• Broad knowledge of accounting principles
• Excellent leadership, influencing and negotiation skills
• Excellent communicator at all levels

We're looking for the best, whoever they are
Our purpose is to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. Diversity of thought facilitated by an inclusive culture will allow us to make better decisions and better achieve our purpose. This is why inclusion and diversity are a strategic priority for us and why we are an equal opportunities employer: you are welcome here regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background or any other protected characteristics.