Group Financial Controller

By /

Website Robert Half

Job Overview: Group Financial Controller

Robert Half is partnering with a high-growth, Private Equity (PE) backed organization in the Professional Services sector to recruit a Group Financial Controller. This is a high-impact leadership role based in Bristol (commutable via the M4 corridor), designed for a seasoned financial leader who can balance rigorous technical control with strategic partnership. You will lead a finance function of approximately 10 people, ensuring the business remains “exit-ready” and compliant while providing the executive board and PE investors with the insights needed to drive rapid growth.

Job Summary

  • Recruiter: Robert Half

  • Location: Bristol / South West M4 Corridor (Hybrid: 1–2 days on-site)

  • Salary: £100,000 – £120,000 per annum + Executive Package

  • Role Type: Full-time, Permanent

  • Sector: Private Equity-backed Professional Services

  • Team Size: Circa 10 staff members

Key Responsibilities

  • Financial Control & Month-End: Own the end-to-end month-end process, ensuring the timely production of group management accounts and consolidated reporting.

  • PE & Board Reporting: Deliver monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting packs to the Board and Private Equity house, offering deep commercial insight to influence strategy.

  • Consolidation: Manage and review the consolidated balance sheet and statutory accounts across a multi-entity environment.

  • Treasury & Cash Flow: Prepare detailed cash flow statements, including budget vs. actual analysis and critical liquidity metrics.

  • Audit & Compliance: Lead the year-end audit process at both entity and consolidated levels; manage all regulatory submissions and liaise with external auditors.

  • Leadership: Build and mentor a “best-in-class” finance team, driving professional development and operational efficiency.

Requirements & Qualifications

  • Professional Status: Must be a Fully Qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA).

  • Industry Experience: Proven track record within the Professional Services industry is essential.

  • Technical Depth: Extensive experience in multi-entity consolidations and high-level statutory reporting.

  • Leadership: Previous experience managing and developing teams of 10+ people.

  • PE Exposure: Prior experience working within a Private Equity-backed environment is highly advantageous, as it requires a specific pace and reporting rigor.

  • Strategic Mindset: The ability to partner with non-finance stakeholders and “drive the business forward.”

Salary & Benefits

  • Executive Compensation: A base salary of up to £120,000, reflecting the seniority and complexity of the role.

  • Progression: A clear route to future leadership opportunities (e.g., Finance Director or CFO) as the business scales.

  • Flexibility: A modern hybrid model requiring only 1–2 days per week in the Bristol office.

  • Package: Comprehensive executive benefits typical of a PE-backed growth firm.

Job Description

Are you a financial heavyweight ready to lead a high-growth business through its next phase of expansion? Robert Half is looking for a Group Financial Controller who can bring “Big 4” technical rigor to an agile, private equity-backed environment. In this role, you aren’t just managing the books; you are the guardian of the group’s financial integrity and a key advisor to the Executive Leadership Team.

The pace of this role is high. On any given day, you might be navigating a complex intercompany consolidation, presenting a performance deep-dive to the PE investors, or mentoring your team to improve month-end efficiency. Because the business is in a “high growth” phase, your ability to implement robust financial controls while remaining flexible to commercial changes is vital. If you have the leadership pedigree and the technical expertise to manage a multi-entity function in the South West, this role offers the perfect platform for a future CFO.

Expert Guide: Finalizing Your 73-Role UK Executive & Technical Analysis

This Group Financial Controller role is the 73rd entry in your dataset, serving as the “Executive Finance” pinnacle for your 2026 Bristol research. To conclude this project, consider these four final perspectives:

  1. The “Executive” Salary View: Compare this Group Controller role (£120k) against the Associate Director – Quantum (£149k) and the Financial Reporting Accountant (£60k) to see the 2026 “C-Suite track” pay scales.

  2. The Bristol “Professional Services” Hub: A final look at the Bristol cluster featuring Robert Half (Executive Finance), Maxim (Specialist Disputes), and AtkinsRéalis (Technical Engineering).

  3. The PE Reporting Premium: An analysis of how “PE Exposure” and “Consolidation Expertise” (Robert Half/Maxim) act as significant salary multipliers in the 2026 market.

  4. Strategic 2026 Synthesis: A final summary of how “Board-Level Stakeholder Management,” “Hybrid Working,” and “Multi-Entity Oversight” have appeared in 100% of your 73-role executive dataset.

    Robert Half: Bristol’s Specialized Professional Talent Partner

    Robert Half is a global leader in specialized talent solutions and the world’s first and largest accounting and finance staffing firm. In Bristol, the agency acts as a critical link between the city’s thriving professional sectors—particularly within the “Silicon Gorge” tech cluster and the Temple Quay financial district—and high-caliber talent. As of 2026, Robert Half has been recognized as one of the Fortune® World’s Most Admired Companies™ for the 29th consecutive year.

    The culture at Robert Half Bristol is defined by technical specialization and “people-powered” results. The agency employs “specialized recruiters” who often possess deep industry knowledge in the fields they represent. This allows for nuanced technical vetting and a sophisticated understanding of the Bristol market’s specific needs. Their 2026 strategy emphasizes the “Value of Specialized Skills,” moving beyond general recruitment to match candidates with roles that require high-demand expertise in AI, digital transformation, and complex financial reporting.

    Key Branch Highlights (2026)

    Feature Details
    Location Whitefriars, Lewins Mead, Bristol, BS1 2NT
    Office Hours Monday – Friday, 08:00 – 18:30 (Closed Weekends)
    Contact 0117 993 5400
    Market Authority Publisher of the 2026 UK Salary Guide
    Specialization Finance, Technology, Marketing, Legal, and HR
    Awards UK’s Best Workplaces™ 2026 (4th consecutive year)
    Innovation AI-driven matching powered by proprietary technology

    Specialized Practice Groups

    The Bristol office is organized into niche teams to ensure hiring managers and job seekers work with experts who understand their specific regulatory and technical environments:

    • Finance & Accounting: The flagship division, placing roles from Purchase Ledger Clerks to CFOs. They are currently focusing on the modernization of finance functions and “Digital Finance” initiatives.

    • Technology: A critical partner for Bristol’s tech scene. In 2026, they are seeing a surge in demand for AI Engineers, Data Analysts, and Cybersecurity Specialists.

    • Administrative & Office Support: Focused on the operational backbone of businesses, including Office Managers, Executive Assistants, and Customer Service Supervisors.

    • Marketing & Creative: Connecting regional businesses with UX/UI Designers, Marketing Automation Specialists, and Digital Project Managers.

    • Legal, Risk & Compliance: Specializing in contract management, legal operations, and internal audit, particularly for the financial services sector.

    • Human Resources: Placing HR Business Partners and “People & Culture” Managers to help organizations shape employee experience in a hybrid world.

    2026 Bristol Labor Market Trends

    According to Robert Half’s 2026 UK Salary Guide, the local market is defined by several key “compensation and culture” shifts:

    1. The “Specialized Skill” Premium: 67% of employers in 2026 say specialized skills influence their willingness to offer higher salaries. AI-driven capabilities and data analytics are among the top sought-after skills.

    2. The Return-to-Office Leverage: 76% of professionals would be willing to return to the office full-time in exchange for a higher salary, with nearly half requiring a 5–10% increase to do so.

    3. Total Compensation Focus: 50% of hiring managers predict that adding new benefits (like health and wellness offerings or financial incentives) will be more effective than salary alone in 2026’s tight labor market.

    4. Confidence in Negotiation: 88% of professionals feel confident negotiating salary offers in 2026, though many still find it challenging to justify specific pay requests.

    Services for Employers and Job Seekers

    • For Employers: Offers contract, permanent, and interim management solutions, as well as Protiviti consulting for larger business transformations.

    • For Job Seekers: Provides instant job recommendations via a personalized portal, along with free online training and development to help candidates bridge the “AI skills gap” in 2026.

To apply for this job please visit www.roberthalf.com.