Group Financial Controller

Job Details

Job Title: Group Financial Controller

Location: London (Hybrid)

Contract: Permanent

About Verian

Verian is a purpose-led company, delivering high-impact projects that shape public policy and drive social change. From education to health, crime to energy, our projects make a real difference.

With offices in 15 countries, our consultants and researchers advise government departments, regulators, charities, and other public sector organisations to make informed decisions and improve people’s lives. 

Operating globally, Verian has offices across Europe, Asia Pacific, and the United States.

About the Team

The Verian Group Finance HQ team is a central, high‑performing, and collaborative function that plays a critical role in supporting the Group’s strategic and operational objectives. Based at the heart of the organisation, the team brings together deep technical expertise, strong business partnering capability, and a shared commitment to high standards of financial governance and insight.

About the Role

We are seeking an exceptional Group Financial Controller (GFC) to lead the Group’s controllership, financial governance, technical accounting, and Group financial reporting. This role is central to the scaling of our global finance function and is a critical partner to the CFO, the Executive Team, regional MDs, and private‑equity shareholders.

The ideal candidate is a hands‑on, high‑impact technical and operational finance leader with extensive experience in fast‑paced, multi‑jurisdictional environments. They will strengthen the Group’s financial control environment, ensure accuracy and transparency in reporting, enhance systems and processes, drive continued finance transformation and strategic financial planning and organisation of finance across the global organisation.

What You'll Do

Group Financial Reporting & Controls

• Own the Group month‑end close
• Review and challenge monthly P&Ls, balance sheets, cash flow statements and control accounts across all regions
• Maintain and enhance a robust Group financial control framework
• Lead all aspects of technical accounting, ensuring compliance with IFRS
• POC – Revenue recognition and Direct cost accruals key process and reporting requirement for monthly analysis and audit

Executive Stakeholder Engagement & Team Leadership

• Work with the CFO to prepare Executive Committee and Board reporting
• Communicate financial results effectively and provide financial insights to regional MD’s
• Lead the Group Head Office Accounting Team and the Central Finance Operations Team (AR, AP, R2R, Tax), fostering a high‑performance culture
• Indirectly manage regional finance leaders across 15 countries
• Maintain strong coaching and leadership practices across a dispersed, multicultural global finance team

Systems, Processes & Transformation

• Oversee all finance systems, including SAP S/4HANA and Concur, ensuring they are optimised, well‑controlled, and support high‑quality reporting
• Lead finance transformation initiatives and manage third‑party providers

Budgeting, Forecasting & Strategic Support

• Support annual budgeting, quarterly reforecasting, and strategic planning
• Validate forecasts, challenge assumptions, and ensure rigorous cash‑flow management and monitor debtor positions, ageing trends, and collectability risk

Audit & Statutory Compliance

• Primary liaison for the annual external audit—delivering a clean, timely Group audit
• Oversee local statutory accounts and audits
• Ensure Group compliance with global taxation requirements

CFO and Private Equity Shareholder Support

• Act as the one of two direct reports to the Group CFO, providing senior leadership across finance and stepping in as needed
• Support PE shareholders with due diligence, covenant reporting, and value‑creation initiative tracking
• Lead the Head Office Accounting team, ensuring all Corporate Services costs are accurately reported, forecast and budgeted

What You'll Bring

• Significant experience in a senior financial role within a multinational organisation
• Strong team management and stakeholder engagement skills
• Experience managing a global finance function with regional finance teams
• ACA / ACCA qualified or equivalent
• Strong analytical thinking, with the ability to interpret complex data, identify meaningful insights, and translate them into actionable recommendations
• Solution focussed, proactive, curious, and a continuous‑improvement mindset
• Comfortable in a fast-moving transformation environment

A Bonus If

• Experience working in Professional Services or Consulting and with Private Equity
• Proficient working in SAP

Why Verian

• Highly impactful role
• Supportive & collaborative environment
• Hybrid & flexible working
• Professional growth and development opportunities

How to Apply

Ready to make an impact? We’d love to hear from you!

Apply online today, and if your profile matches, we’ll be in touch for an initial exploratory interview.

We encourage applications from all sections of society and provide reasonable accommodations for candidates with disabilities throughout the application and interview process.

Learn more about us at veriangroup.com