Group Financial Controller

About School of Coding & AI School of Coding & AI is a fast-growing education group delivering career-focused learning across higher education, digital skills, AI, health, business and wider professional programmes. We are an ambitious organisation with a clear focus on growth, quality and student outcomes. As the business continues to expand, we need a strong finance leader who can bring structure, control and consistency to the way finance operates across the group. About the role The Group Financial Controller will take ownership of the core finance function across School of Coding & AI, ensuring that financial operations are accurate, efficient, controlled and fit for a growing multi-entity organisation. This is a senior, hands-on finance leadership role. The main focus is not fundraising, M&A or high-level corporate finance. The priority is making sure the core finance engine works properly: management accounts, statutory accounts, payroll, VAT, PAYE, cash, collections, payments, assets, reconciliations, controls, reporting, processes and team performance. We have already started to build the processes, systems and controls required to future-proof the business. The successful candidate will initially play an active role in implementing, developing and embedding those processes across the finance function, working closely with the CFO to continue strengthening the department as the organisation grows. This role requires someone who is technically strong, highly organised and comfortable operating close to the detail. You will bring discipline, pace and structure to the finance function, ensuring month-end closes are delivered on time, reporting is reliable, processes are clearly owned and financial controls are strong across all entities. You will also be expected to lead and develop the finance team over the long term, including managing two Accountants based in India. This role would suit an experienced Financial Controller or Group Financial Controller who has worked in a growing, multi-entity organisation and is confident in taking responsibility for the foundations of finance while helping build a stronger, more scalable function. For someone who wants broader exposure, there may also be opportunities to support wider value-add activity such as board reporting, commercial projects, long-term planning, banking, funding work and strategic finance projects. However, the bulk of the role will remain focused on financial control, process improvement and the effective running of core finance. What you’ll be doing Financial Control & Core Finance Operations Lead and manage the day-to-day finance function across the group. Ensure all core finance activities are accurate, timely and well controlled. Own the monthly management accounts process across multiple entities. Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, journals, accruals, prepayments and month-end close. Ensure financial reporting is reliable, consistent and delivered to agreed deadlines. Maintain strong financial controls across income, expenditure, cash, assets, payroll and reporting. Identify weaknesses in finance processes and implement practical improvements. Support the continued development and embedding of finance processes, systems and controls. Ensure finance systems, processes and controls can support continued organisational growth. Work closely with the CFO to strengthen the finance function and improve operational efficiency. Management Accounts & Reporting Lead the preparation of monthly management accounts and group reporting packs. Ensure performance reporting is clear, accurate and useful for senior leadership. Provide commentary on financial performance, variances, risks and trends. Support budget holders with clear financial information and practical guidance. Improve the quality, consistency and timeliness of financial reporting. Ensure reporting supports better decision-making across the organisation. Understand and report, where required, on the wider shareholder and corporate structure, including how the business interacts within the broader group environment. Statutory Accounts, Audit & Compliance Lead preparation for year-end accounts and external audit. Ensure statutory accounts are completed accurately and on time. Manage audit requests, evidence gathering and responses to audit queries. Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, tax requirements and internal policies. Oversee VAT, PAYE, pensions and other statutory finance obligations. Ensure accurate records are maintained across all group entities. Cash, Collections & Payments Oversee cash flow reporting and working capital management. Ensure strong controls around payments, supplier management and authorisation processes. Oversee collections, receivables and aged debt reporting. Work with relevant teams to improve cash collection, billing accuracy and income controls. Ensure banking, reconciliations and cash reporting are accurate and up to date. Payroll, Tax & Financial Administration Oversee payroll from a finance control perspective, ensuring accuracy, compliance and timely processing. Ensure PAYE, pension and payroll-related reconciliations are completed properly. Oversee VAT returns and tax-related submissions. Ensure finance administration is structured, accurate and not overly reliant on individuals. Reduce manual work, duplication and avoidable errors across finance processes. Systems, Processes & Continuous Improvement Play a key role in implementing and developing the finance systems, processes and controls required to future-proof the business. Review current finance processes and implement improvements where needed. Strengthen controls, workflows, approvals and reporting disciplines. Improve the month-end timetable and make deadlines more predictable. Develop clearer ownership across the finance team. Use finance systems more effectively to reduce manual work and improve accuracy. Support the development of better dashboards, reports and management information. Ensure process improvements are embedded properly and adopted consistently by the team. Team Leadership Lead, manage and develop the finance team, including two Accountants based in India. Set clear expectations around quality, deadlines, ownership and accountability. Build a disciplined, service-focused and improvement-led finance culture. Support team members to develop their technical capability and confidence. Ensure workloads are managed effectively and key processes have appropriate cover. Develop the team over the long term so the finance function can support a larger and more complex organisation. Create a finance function that is reliable, responsive and trusted by the wider business. Wider Finance Exposure Where appropriate, support the CFO, owners and board with wider finance activity. This may include board reporting, commercial projects, long-term planning, banking relationships, funding work, investment cases, acquisitions or strategic projects. Work with the CFO on the continued development of the finance function as the organisation scales. The core responsibility, however, remains the effective control, leadership and operational performance of the finance function. What we’re looking for Essential Qualified accountant: ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent. Strong experience as a Financial Controller, Group Financial Controller or senior finance manager. Experience working in a multi-entity organisation. Strong technical accounting knowledge, including month-end, statutory accounts, audit and balance sheet control. Proven experience improving finance processes, controls and reporting. Experience implementing or developing finance systems, processes and controls in a growing business. Strong understanding of VAT, PAYE, payroll controls and statutory finance requirements. Experience leading management accounts and group reporting. Strong cash, payments, collections and reconciliations experience. Confident in managing audits and year-end processes. Strong people management experience within a finance team. Experience managing, coaching or developing accountants or finance team members. Comfortable managing remote or overseas finance team members. Highly organised, deadline-driven and comfortable working in a growing organisation. Able to challenge, improve and bring structure without overcomplicating processes. Strong attention to detail, with the ability to step back and see the wider picture. Comfortable working closely with a CFO to strengthen and develop the finance function. Desirable Experience in education, training, higher education or another regulated sector. Experience supporting funding, grant, student finance or contract-based income streams. Experience working with group structures, subsidiaries or multiple trading entities. Experience improving finance systems, automation or reporting dashboards. Experience supporting board packs, commercial analysis or long-term financial planning. Exposure to banking, funding, M&A or investment activity. Experience working with offshore or international finance teams. What success looks like Month-end reporting is accurate, controlled and delivered on time. The finance team has clear ownership, stronger structure and better accountability. The two Accountants based in India are effectively managed, supported and developed. Balance sheet controls, reconciliations and audit evidence are robust. Cash, collections, payments and payroll controls are reliable. Senior leaders trust the numbers and receive clear financial information. Processes, systems and controls are embedded properly and support future growth. Finance processes are simpler, cleaner and less dependent on manual work. The finance function is more structured, scalable and resilient. Being a strong financial control partner to the CFO who can help continue developing the function. Why join us This is an opportunity to take ownership of the finance engine in a growing education group. You will play a key role in strengthening the systems, processes and controls needed to support the next stage of growth, while working closely with the CFO and senior leadership team. For someone who enjoys building strong financial foundations, improving processes, developing people and creating a finance function that genuinely supports growth, this is a strong opportunity. Salary of £70,000 to £80,000 per year 28 days annual leave plus 8 days bank holiday Up to 20 hours per year of paid time off for medical appointments Pension scheme Employee Assistance Programme Strong CPD and development opportunities Company and social events Retail discounts through Bright Exchange