Group Financial Controller

About this role

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…