Financial controller

Somerce is a TikTok Shop specialist agency driving GMV growth for some of the fastest-growing beauty, fashion, lifestyle and FMCG brands across the UK, US and EU — from live commerce and affiliates to paid media and trading strategy.

We're scaling fast across revenue streams, and we're looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Financial Controller to own the day-to-day running of our finance function. Reporting to the CEO, you'll be responsible for accurate and timely reporting, a robust control environment, compliance across our entities, and finance processes that can scale with the business. It's a hands-on role with real influence, and a clear path to senior finance leadership as we grow.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the month-end and year-end close, delivering accurate monthly management accounts and commentary on time
• Prepare statutory accounts and manage the external audit process
• Oversee VAT, corporation tax, payroll and other statutory compliance across UK entities, working with external advisors where needed
• Manage cash flow, including weekly cash reporting and rolling cash forecasts
• Lead the annual budget and regular reforecasts, working closely with the CEO and department heads
• Produce client and service-line profitability reporting, margin analysis and KPI dashboards to support commercial decisions
• Ensure correct revenue recognition and billing across retainers, commission and performance-based fees
• Design, maintain and strengthen internal controls, approval processes and balance sheet reconciliations
• Manage multi-currency accounting and intercompany transactions
• Line-manage and develop the AP/AR and bookkeeping team
• Improve and automate finance processes and systems, including the accounting platform, expense management and reporting tools, with AI where it helps
• Prepare board and investor reporting packs as needed

About You

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
• 5+ years' post-qualification experience, including time as a Financial Controller or Senior Finance Manager in a growing business
• Practice or Big 4 background is a plus
• Strong technical accounting knowledge, with hands-on experience of month-end close, statutory accounts and audit
• Confident with Excel and Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive)
• Fluent with Claude and similar AI tools; you reach for them to speed up analysis, reconciliation and process automation
• Hands-on, pragmatic and happy to roll your sleeves up in a fast-paced, low-bureaucracy environment
• Confident communicator who can explain finance clearly to non-finance stakeholders

Requirements
Essential

• Proven track record running the finance operations of a high-growth digital agency, scale-up, or tech/ecommerce business
• Experience delivering monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasting and statutory compliance
• Strong working knowledge of cloud accounting software in particular Xero
• High attention to detail and a methodical, controls-focused approach
• Experience managing or mentoring junior finance staff
• Strong communication skills; able to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders

Desirable

• Experience in a digital agency, ecommerce, DTC or startup environment
• Experience implementing or upgrading finance systems
• Exposure to fundraising, due diligence or investor reporting

Benefits

Core Benefits

• Competitive base salary (Performance bonus / equity options)
• 28 days holiday + bank holidays
• Hybrid working with offices in London and Manchester
• Flexible working hours – we care about output, not clock-watching

Growth & Career Development

• Clear progression paths with responsibility early
• Regular performance reviews focused on development and impact
• Direct exposure to a high-growth, fast-moving agency
• Work closely with senior leadership and have real input into the business

Financial & Lifestyle Perks

• Company pension scheme
• Monthly wellness allowance (gym, fitness, mental wellbeing or similar)
• Team socials and events throughout the year
• Staff discounts across our brands and partners

Work Environment

• Fast-paced, high-ownership culture
• Minimal bureaucracy and maximum accountability
• Surrounded by people who care about performance, creativity and doing things properly
• A business that wins with its clients, shared success matters

The Somerce Difference

• We trust our people
• We move quickly and back good ideas
• You’ll have real influence, not just responsibility
• If you perform, you’ll grow, simple as that