Group Financial Controller - UK
Outcomes First Group
Bolton
- Expiring soon
- Salary:
- £90,000 - £110,000 per annum
- Job type:
- Full Time, Permanent
- Apply by:
- 20 February 2025
Job overview
Outcomes First Group is Great Place to Work certified – it’s official!
Want to work 4 days, but get paid for 5? OFG is taking part in the four-day working week trial**.
Job Title: Group Financial Controller - UK
Location: Bolton
Flexibility: Hybrid working available
Contract Type: Full Time, Permanent
Salary: £90,000 - £110,000 per annum
Job Purpose:
The Group Financial Controller has overall responsibility for the UK finance team (c.50 staff) and, along with the Head of Financial Planning & Analysis (FP&A), reports directly to the UK Finance Director.
The Group Financial Controller is ultimately responsible for accurate and timely financial accounting, tax accounting, and compliance with the group’s reporting obligations, including adherence to deadlines set by regulators and the lending group.
This role will work closely with the team to deliver a strong control environment, leading to a successful annual external audit, and ensuring excellent financial controls across the Group.
Key Stakeholders:
- CFO
- Finance Director
- Accounting and FP&A teams
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead and manage the Group’s finance team, providing mentorship and fostering a collaborative work environment.
- Directly line manage 4 senior managers across the Accounting (including payroll), Project, and Financial Reporting teams, with ultimate responsibility for these areas of finance.
- Lead the preparation, consolidation, and analysis of the Group’s monthly, quarterly, and annual financial statements, ensuring timely and accurate reporting in accordance with applicable accounting standards.
- Ensure compliance with statutory accounting requirements and corporate governance standards across the Group.
- Maintain and enhance robust processes for monitoring balance sheet reconciliations performed by the wider Finance team.
- Establish, maintain, and continuously improve the internal control framework to safeguard assets, ensure accurate financial reporting, and promote operational efficiency.
- Partner with the Finance Director and Head of FP&A to provide financial insights that support business strategy and growth.
- Oversee cash flow forecasting, working capital management, and liquidity planning to support the Group’s growth objectives.
- Support the Project team, particularly in liaising with advisors around finance due diligence on key projects.
- Support the Head of Financial Reporting with the external audit process, ensuring all necessary information is provided in a timely manner.
- Ensure the consolidated and subsidiary accounts are completed and signed in line with timetables required under the Group’s financing arrangements.
- Manage the Group’s tax planning, ensuring efficient tax strategies and compliance with local tax laws.
- Build and maintain relationships with external auditors and tax advisors to ensure streamlined processes.
- Continuously evaluate and improve financial systems, tools, and processes to drive greater efficiency and effectiveness across the organisation.
- Implement best practices in financial reporting and compliance, including exploring opportunities for automation and standardisation.
Standard Responsibilities:
- Participate in an annual performance review programme.
- Work at all times in accordance with the policies and procedures of the OFG Group and statutory regulations applicable to the Group.
- Observe, at all times, strict rules of confidentiality appropriate to the post.
- Comply with the requirements of Health and Safety Regulations to ensure personal wellbeing and that of colleagues.
Measures:
- Performance measured against set objectives relevant to the role.
- Defined performance indicators, such as accuracy and timeliness of financial reporting.
- Departmental Net Promoter Scores (team satisfaction and stakeholder feedback).
Essential:
- Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance, or a related field. A professional qualification (e.g., ACA, ACCA) is essential.
- At least 7-10 years of relevant experience in financial management, minimum of 5 years in a senior financial role in a group or multi-entity environment.
- Strong knowledge of GAAP, tax regulations, and financial reporting standards.
- Proven experience in managing a team and working in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
- Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Strong proficiency in financial software and systems, with advanced Excel skills.
- Exceptional communication skills with the ability to interact with senior executives and external stakeholders.
- High attention to detail and accuracy, with the ability to handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
Desirable:
- Experience in a private equity-backed environment or a similar fast-paced, high-growth business.
- Familiarity with systems such as SAP, Oracle, or Hyperion.
- Adaptability, resilience, and the ability to thrive in ambiguity.
Why join Outcomes First Group?
About the Group
Outcomes First Group is the leading provider of specialist education in the UK. We exist to give neurodivergent children and young people access to a great education that caters to their specific needs, abilities and aspirations.
There are three brands in our Outcomes First family: Acorn Education, Options Autism and Momenta Connect. Together, we educate, care for and support children, young people, and adults across the UK, empowering them to be happy and make their way in the world.
We are really proud to say that in 2024, Outcomes First Group were officially certified as a ‘Great Place to Work’ for the fifth year running.
Our Vision
We believe that with a great education, every neurodivergent pupil can thrive and make their way in the world.
Our Mission
Every day we improve the lives of our pupils, their families, and local communities through a relentless focus on wellbeing and learning.
Our Promise
*We are kind to ourselves and each other…We work together… and we make things happen.*Our Promise sits alongside our Vision and Mission. It describes the sort of people we are and our commitment to how we treat each other, work together, and behave.
Benefits
- Life Assurance
- Pension scheme with options to increase your contributions
- “Your Wellbeing Matters” – access to a wide range of first-class mental health support services and physical health checks
And a market-leading benefit offering through our Flexible Benefits Platform, Vista, enables you to choose the package that’s right for you, including:
- A wide range of health, wellbeing, and insurance benefits
- 100’s of discount options valid in the UK and abroad
- Cycle to Work Schemes
- Electric Car Purchase Scheme
- Critical illness cover
- Family Growth Support - inclusive benefits package covering enhanced maternity and paternity leave, along with paid fertility treatment support.
We are committed to the safeguarding and promoting the welfare of pupils and young people. All applicants will be subject to social media checks and successful applicants to a fully enhanced DBS.
We are an Equal Opportunities Employer.
About Outcomes First Group
- Outcomes First Group
- Atria, Spa Road, Bolton
- BL1 4AG
- United Kingdom
Everything we do at Outcomes First Group is built around care, compassion, quality and impact. We work very hard to make a crucial difference in the lives of pupils. We take an individualised approach – understanding that no two people, or their challenges, are ever the same. That goes for both the young people we support, and the teammates we work with.
We believe in treating others and ourselves with respect and consideration. Outcomes First Group is an inclusive place to work, in which we want each of our colleagues to feel valued and heard – this is summarised in Our Vision, Mission and Promise.
Our Vision: Empower every child, whatever their ability, with a world-class education that nurtures potential, inspires lifelong learning, and equips them to thrive in a diverse and evolving world
Our Mission: We commit to unlocking our pupils' potential through personalised learning, innovation, and opportunity, supporting growth and aspirations.
Our Promise
We listen. We never assume.
We work together. To make the remarkable happen.
We are accountable. To each other and for one another.
Please note that you are wholly responsible for fact checking in respect of the information provided by schools. Please also check for the latest visa and work permit requirements that may apply. Tes is not responsible for the content of advertisements or the policies adopted by advertising schools. Tes asks that all schools follow Tes' Fair Recruitment Policy.