Financial Controller

Financial Controller

London, UK | Full-time| Reports to the CEO

Gibbs Consulting Global is a technology services and consulting business specialising in Data, AI, and Infrastructure. We help organisations modernise their technology estates, build data and AI capability, and deliver the resourcing and specialist skills needed to execute complex transformation programmes. Part of a wider group of ambitious technology and consulting businesses spanning the UK and UAE, we work with clients to bridge the gap between strategy and delivery — combining consulting expertise with hands-on technical resourcing.

We are looking for a hands-on Financial Controller to own the day-to-day finance function as we scale from startup to established enterprise. This is not a purely strategic or oversight role — you will be in the numbers every day, running the processes yourself, building the systems as we grow, and working closely with the CEO and leadership team on the financial backbone of the business.

This role suits someone who thrives in a startup environment: comfortable with ambiguity, happy to build processes from scratch, and equally at ease reconciling an invoice as they are presenting a cash flow forecast to the CEO.

• Own monthly management reporting, including preparation of the monthly profit & loss statement, balance sheet, and supporting commentary for leadership.
• Lead cash flow analysis and cash management, providing visibility on runway and working capital across group entities.
• Build and maintain operational forecasting and budgeting models, working with department leads to keep forecasts current and accurate.
• Manage contractor payments end-to-end, including verification, approval workflows, IR35 status considerations, and timely processing.
• Own client invoicing and billing, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and resolution of any billing queries or disputes.
• Act as the primary point of contact for external accounting firms, auditors, and tax advisors across UK and UAE entities.
• Prepare and file UK statutory accounts in accordance with the Companies Act 2006 and FRS 102, including full year-end close and supporting audit file.
• Manage Companies House filings, including annual accounts, confirmation statements, and other statutory returns, ensuring deadlines are consistently met.
• Own UK corporation tax computations and filings (CT600) in conjunction with external tax advisors, including R&D tax credit claims where applicable.
• Manage UK VAT compliance, including quarterly returns under Making Tax Digital, and PAYE/payroll compliance in coordination with the payroll provider.
• Prepare the business for statutory and internal audits, including documentation, reconciliations, and direct liaison with auditors through to sign-off.
• Maintain accurate books and records across multiple group entities, ensuring intercompany transactions and balances are properly recorded, eliminated, and reconciled on consolidation.
• Support the CEO with financial input for board papers, investor updates, and strategic decision-making.
• Identify and implement improvements to financial processes, controls, and systems as the business scales.

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA, or equivalent).
• 5+ years' post-qualification experience, with meaningful time spent in a hands-on Financial Controller or senior finance role.
• Strong, current working knowledge of UK statutory accounts preparation under FRS 102 and the Companies Act 2006, including small/medium company reporting requirements.
• Hands-on experience with UK corporation tax, VAT (including Making Tax Digital), and PAYE/payroll compliance.
• Experience working in or with startups, scale-ups, or fast-growing SME businesses is strongly preferred.
• Prior experience in IT consulting, technology resourcing, or professional services is a strong advantage.
• Experience managing multi-entity group structures, ideally spanning the UK and UAE, including intercompany accounting and consolidation.
• Confident using cloud accounting platforms (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks) and comfortable building financial models in Excel.
• Proven track record of taking a UK business through statutory audit, from preparation and PBC lists through to final sign-off with auditors.

• A true hands-on operator — someone who wants to run the numbers personally, not just direct a team, at least in this stage of the business.
• Comfortable working in a lean, fast-moving environment where priorities shift and processes are still being built.
• High attention to detail and a strong sense of ownership over accuracy and deadlines.
• Clear, confident communicator, able to translate financial detail into practical guidance for a non-finance CEO and leadership team.
• Discreet and trustworthy, given close proximity to sensitive commercial and shareholder information.

This is a rare opportunity to build the finance function of a genuinely ambitious startup from close to the ground floor, working directly with the founder and shaping how the business scales. You'll have real ownership, visibility into every part of the business, and the chance to grow into the role as the company grows.

To apply, please send your CV and a short cover note outlining your relevant experience.