Financial Controller | Technology Scale-Up | London (Hybrid)

Financial Controller | Technology Scale‑Up | London (Hybrid)

The Client

Harmonic is delighted to be working exclusively with a fast‑growing technology business that is fundamentally transforming how a large, traditional industry operates. Using real‑time data, AI and connected technology, they have built a platform that sits at the intersection of tech and one of the most significant and under‑digitised sectors in financial services, serving some of the UK’s largest and most recognisable operators.

The business has recently been acquired by a listed, highly profitable company generating over £1 billion in annual profit. The acquisition is a recognition of what this technology can do: the acquirer is entering a new market and using this business as its vehicle to transform an industry that has historically been slow to modernise. That is a strong vote of confidence in both the platform and the team behind it.

Critically, the business continues to operate as its own entity. It retains its own leadership team, its startup culture and pace of decision‑making, and the sense of ownership that attracts people to scale‑ups in the first place. What the acquisition adds is equally significant: institutional capital and funding, a major distribution network, meaningfully improved workplace benefits, materially reduced execution risk, and the credibility that comes with a listed, profitable parent. The equity upside remains real.

For the right candidate, this is a rare combination: the energy, ownership and career‑defining pace of a scale‑up, underpinned by the resources and stability of a large corporate.

The Role

Reporting directly to the VP of Finance, this Financial Controller role sits at the centre of a pivotal moment for the business.

You will take full ownership of the core finance engine: month‑end close, management accounts, statutory and regulatory (FCA) reporting, and the internal control environment. This is not a role that stops at maintaining what exists. The business is actively investing in automation and AI‑enabled finance tools, and the person coming in is expected to lead that agenda, building robust controls alongside modern, scalable workflows that reduce manual effort and improve quality. NetSuite is the core ERP, alongside a growing suite of automation and AI tooling.

There is genuine visibility from day one. You will work closely with the VP of Finance, the CFO and CEO of the business, and have exposure to senior stakeholders at the listed parent. The progression path to Head of Finance is clear and expected within 12 to 18 months for someone who performs.

Key Responsibilities

• Own month‑end close, management accounts, and statutory reporting, with a focus on accuracy, speed, and quality
• Lead FCA and regulatory reporting, working closely with auditors to ensure full compliance
• Drive process transformation: identify manual or inefficient workflows and replace them with scalable, automation‑ready alternatives using NetSuite and AI tooling
• Build and maintain a robust internal control environment appropriate for a regulated, growing business
• Partner with FP&A to provide accurate data and insight that underpins commercial decisions
• Manage and develop a small accounting team, coaching, reviewing work, and building capability
• Work closely with the VP of Finance on strategic initiatives as the business scales under its new ownership structure

What We Are Looking For

• Qualified accountant: ACA or ACCA (other bodies considered)
• Experience in a tech or SaaS scale‑up environment, someone comfortable building and improving a finance function, not just running it
• A confident, energetic communicator who can hold a room and engage credibly with senior stakeholders across finance and the wider business
• A genuine interest in automation and AI‑enabled finance: not just awareness, but real appetite to drive adoption and improve how the function works
• Proven experience managing and developing a team
• Experience in, or clear appetite to work in, a regulated environment (FCA exposure is useful but not essential; mindset and adaptability matter more)

Location

Central London, hybrid (2 to 3 days in office)

Start Date

Flexible, all notice periods considered

EEO Statement

At Harmonic, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and equitable workplace. We actively welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and assure you that every candidate will be thoughtfully considered for the roles we represent, without regard to race, religion, gender expression, disability, or sexual orientation.

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