Financial Controller

Financial Controller - PERE - OUR CLIENT is focussed on growing an exciting new asset class. They are a vertically integrated real assets business, combining traditional acquisition, development and leasing activity with operational capabilities including sourcing, securing and delivering smart energy systems and are building critical operational infrastructure to support the decarbonisation of commercial transport. With 44 sites already operational - including 4 development sites across Britain and Western Europe and with a broader vision to deploy extensive (£Billions) of capital to grow a consolidated portfolio it is exciting time.

As they move to their next phase, they now seek to hire for the newly created role of Financial Controller.

The new Finance Controller will initially focus on financial management of the UK portfolio and related SPVs and reviewing the current outsourcing providers and accounting software to optimise processes in a cost-effective manner. Additionally, it will act as the thought partner to the COO/CFO, leadership team, and other business stakeholders on matters related to Finance. The role will be based in W1 post summer 2025.

THE ROLE: RESPONSIBILITIES of the FINANCIAL CONTROLLER will include but not be limited to:

• Ensuring that the reporting, loan structuring and coordination and review of outsourced service providers and financial management works smoothly to support the effective operation of the portfolio.
• Supporting the broader leadership team with analysis, interpretation, and insights regarding the financial condition of the assets.
• Accounting / Audit: Ensuring accurate and timely maintenance of accounting records of the portfolios’ entities according to relevant accounting standards (e.g. UK GAAP) managing any outsourced providers in a cost effective and timely manner.
• Managing the processes to prepare for and execute the audit(s) of the group’s financial activities to ensure audit(s) completed on time with no major issues.
• Financial Reporting: Managing the preparation of all financial reporting including statutory, Board, investor, and business-related.
• FP&A: Working closing with the Asset Management team, manage and maintain the financial and cash flow plans, budgets and reforecasts, monthly and quarterly variance reporting, and detailed analysis of the financial performance of the portfolio to drive improved outcomes. Orchestrate a collaborative process, with relevant signoffs at key milestones, for periodic reforecasting to adjust the plan.
• Treasury: Oversee the banking, cash position, cash forecasting, loan management and lender reporting including covenant compliance and financing activities of the portfolio to ensure that the business has adequate financial resources to operate.
• Valuation: Manage the Finance aspects of the Valuation process and the corresponding management controls.
• Tax & Compliance: Ensuring tax and transfer pricing structures are optimised and entities tax filings, and maintain compliance with relevant laws and regulations, liaising with external advisors where necessary. Financing controls in place and accurate and timely filings.
• Transaction Support: Provide financial, tax transaction support, and ensure financial risks mitigated and structures are optimised.
• Finance Technology: Drive enhancements in financial systems, controls, and reporting processes to improve efficiency and accuracy, selecting and managing the implementation of a suite of tools and vendors to support Finance-related processes and data with leading class digital capabilities and automation

THE PERSON: SKILLS REQUIREMENTS: to apply for the Financial Controller role, you should possess:

• Drive, enthusiasm and mental agility coupled with the expertise to handle the PE investor contacts and be part of a senior finance team.

• Strong academics with a relevant accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA) and at least c4 years+ relevant post-qualification experience.

• Experience working in a high-performing team and ideally of working in a fast-paced private equity environment.

• Experience within the real estate sector (a must).

• Experience with UK GAAP, IFRS, creating financial statements and awareness of consolidations.

• Experience of oversight and managing 3rd party service providers including SLAs.

• Familiarity with complex tax structures, SPVs and fund reporting - with exposure to cross-border funds, multi-entity and with European jurisdictions preferred.

• Deep experience in transforming and improving the calibre of processes and onboarding new accounting systems.

• Effective communication skills to liaise with multiple stakeholders with experience in managing outsourced teams.

• Ability to think strategically and provide financial insights that guide executive decision-making.

• Desirable - European language skills.

BENEFITS:

• The company is growing quickly and plans to expand rapidly, and this role will be pivotal in that journey.
• The role allows the successful candidate to get involved in an ambitious scale up with capital and help to shape the growth and culture of the business.
• Ability to gain exposure to complex, cross-border real estate transactions. New/Nascent Asset Class with Private Equity.
• The candidate will have the chance to shape the future of a new business in a nascent sector that is well-positioned to become a major institutional real estate asset class.
• Be part of a highly dynamic, entrepreneurial and fast-paced environment with institutional backing.
• Solid Discretionary Bonus.
• Hybrid working - moving to 4 days in.
• Benefits including pension, health and life insurance.

Please note that due to volume we cannot get back to everyone, however every application is looked at and considered and will be held on Trident International’s database for review.

To learn more about our company and vacancies we are currently working on, visit our website and follow us on LinkedIn