Financial Controller

About Pockit and Monese

Pockit and Monese are all-in-one money apps that make it easier for people to access and manage the financial tools they need to take control of their money.

We provide vital financial services, from accounts and cards to income advance solutions. In October 2024, Pockit acquired Monese, bringing together two complementary businesses and creating a leading fintech company focused on serving people who are underserved by traditional banks.

Together, we serve more than three million customers across the UK and Europe.

We're a diverse, international and energetic team, with colleagues based across London, Newcastle, Tallinn and remote teams across Central Europe. We value curiosity, ambition, accountability and resilience, and we want everyone to feel at home, have a voice and know that their contribution matters. We give people the trust and space to take ownership, share ideas, influence decisions, and make a real impact on our customers and our business.

About the role

We're looking for an exceptional Financial Controller to lead Monese's financial accounting, control and reporting function.

Reporting directly to the CFO,you'll have end-to-end accountability for the integrity of our financial reporting, the effectiveness of our financial controls and the consistent delivery of critical finance deadlines.

This is a senior leadership role requiring strong technical expertise, exceptional execution and a relentless focus on delivery. You'll be responsible for ensuring that month-end close, statutory accounts, regulatory financial reporting and audit processes are completed accurately, efficiently and on time.

You'll lead and develop the financial control team, establish clear standards of accountability and continuously improve how the function operates.

We're looking for someone who combines the technical rigour of a seasoned financial controller with the pace, ownership and problem-solving mindset of a high-growth fintech.

You won't simply oversee the numbers. You'll take full ownership of delivering them.

What you'll be responsible for

Financial close and reporting excellence

• Take full accountability for the timely, accurate and efficient delivery of monthly, quarterly and annual financial close and reporting.

• Establish and consistently deliver against a disciplined month-end close timetable, with clear ownership, deadlines and escalation procedures across the finance team.

• Drive continuous improvement in close timelines, reporting quality and financial processes, with a clear ambition to achieve a best-in-class financial close.

• Ensure the integrity, completeness and reliability of the financial statements, general ledger and balance sheet.

• Deliver high-quality financial reporting to the CFO and other key stakeholders, with clear explanations of material movements, accounting judgements and financial risks.

• Anticipate and proactively resolve issues that could impact reporting accuracy or deadlines, ensuring there are no avoidable surprises.

• Build a culture where financial reporting commitments are consistently met and delivery against deadlines is non-negotiable.

Financial governance and control

• Own and continuously strengthen the Groups financial control framework, ensuring it is robust, proportionate and appropriate for a regulated fintech.

• Maintain clear accountability for balance sheet integrity, accounting policies and key financial controls.

• Identify, assess and address financial reporting risks, ensuring control weaknesses are remediated promptly and effectively.

• Provide leadership and technical oversight on complex accounting matters, ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards.

• Establish a strong control culture across the finance function, balancing regulatory discipline with operational efficiency.

• Ensure financial control processes remain effective as the business, its systems and transaction volumes evolve.

Statutory, regulatory and audit delivery

• Take full ownership of the timely and accurate delivery of statutory financial statements and finance-owned regulatory financial reporting.

• Lead the annual external audit from planning through to completion, ensuring an efficient, well-managed process and delivery against agreed deadlines.

• Maintain a high standard of audit readiness throughout the year, rather than relying on intensive year-end remediation.

• Ensure compliance with relevant accounting standards, statutory reporting obligations and applicable financial regulatory requirements.

• Oversee the effective management of tax compliance and external advisers.

• Act as the senior point of accountability for financial accounting, audit and reporting matters.

Finance transformation and operational excellence

• Lead the development of a high-performing, efficient and scalable financial control function.

• Drive automation, systems improvements and process simplification to reduce manual effort, improve accuracy and accelerate reporting.

• Identify structural inefficiencies and implement sustainable solutions rather than temporary fixes.

• Establish clear performance measures across the function, including close timelines, reporting accuracy, control effectiveness and delivery against deadlines.

• Leverage technology, data and automation to improve the reliability and efficiency of financial accounting and reporting.

• Ensure the finance function has the processes, systems and capabilities to support the changing needs of the business.

Leadership, accountability and execution

• Lead, develop and hold the financial control team accountable for consistently high standards of performance and delivery.

• Establish a results-driven culture with clear responsibilities, measurable objectives and disciplined execution.

• Set realistic but ambitious deadlines and ensure the team delivers against them.

• Take ownership of challenges, remove obstacles and escalate material issues early, with clear recommendations and solutions.

• Build a strong, capable team with the technical expertise, judgement and resilience to operate effectively under pressure.

• Act as a trusted adviser to the CFO on financial accounting, reporting, control and governance matters.

• Demonstrate strong personal accountability, sound judgement and the ability to operate independently with minimal supervision.

What we're looking for

Essential experience and capabilities

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or equivalent) with significant post-qualification experience + 5 Years

• Proven experience as a Financial Controller, Head of Financial Control, Head of Accounting or equivalent senior finance leader.

• Demonstrated track record of owning and consistently delivering month-end close, statutory reporting and audit processes to demanding deadlines.

• Strong technical accounting expertise, including IFRS, UK GAAP and financial reporting requirements.

• Experience within fintech, payments, banking, electronic money or another regulated financial services environment.

• Proven ability to lead and develop high-performing finance teams, setting clear expectations and driving accountability.

• Experience strengthening financial control frameworks and improving the quality and reliability of financial reporting.

• Demonstrable success improving close processes, accelerating reporting timelines and implementing finance automation.

• Strong organisational skills, sound judgement and the ability to manage multiple competing priorities without compromising delivery.

• Confidence and credibility when engaging with senior management, external auditors and other key stakeholders.

• Ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced, changing environment with a high degree of ownership and independence.

• Demonstrated ability to leverage AI, automation and emerging technologies to streamline finance processes, accelerate financial close, enhance reporting accuracy and drive operational efficiency

Considered as an Advantage

• Experience within an FCA-regulated electronic money or payments institution.

• Knowledge of regulatory financial reporting requirements applicable to fintech and payments businesses.

• Experience managing accounting and reporting for complex, high-volume financial transactions.

• Exposure to multi-entity reporting, group consolidation or international finance operations.

• Experience leading finance systems transformation and automation initiatives.

• Background in a Big Four accounting firm combined with subsequent industry experience.

What success looks like

You'll be measured on your ability to consistently deliver a reliable, efficient and well-controlled finance function.

Key measures of success will include:

• Month-end close: Consistent delivery of accurate monthly financial results within an agreed, progressively improving close timetable.

• Deadline discipline: All critical finance deliverables completed on time, with proactive management of risks, dependencies and escalations.

• Financial integrity: A reliable balance sheet, robust financial controls and high-quality financial reporting.

• Audit and regulatory delivery: Timely completion of statutory accounts, external audits and finance-owned regulatory reporting, with no material avoidable findings.

• Operational efficiency: Measurable improvements in close timelines, automation, process effectiveness and reporting quality.

• Team performance: A capable, accountable and high-performing financial control team that consistently delivers.

Why Join Us?

• Make a real difference: Work at the intersection of technology and financial inclusion, helping people take greater control of their money.

• Have a voice: Your ideas and perspective matter. You'll have the opportunity to influence decisions, take ownership and shape how we work.

• Make an impact: Work on initiatives that reach millions of customers across the UK and Europe.

• Work with great people: Join a diverse, international and ambitious team where collaboration and curiosity are encouraged.

• Grow with us: Be part of a fast-moving fintech where you'll have plenty of opportunities to learn, develop and make your mark.

What benefits we offer

We want you to feel supported, valued and able to do your best work - both in and outside the office.

• 25 days annual leave + public holidays, with an extra day for every year worked

• Healthcare: Bupa personal private healthcare

• Generous pension plan

• 10 paid sick days per year

• Hybrid working + up to 30 days working abroad each year

• L&D budget + 10 paid learning days per year

• Annual eyecare allowance

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and shared parental leave

• VIP Pockit & Monese accounts

• Extra paid days off for your birthday and wedding

• Regular social events and team activities

• Monthly recognition awards and Team of the Quarter

• Share options, depending on role and level

• Employee referral bonus

• Free office parking

The use of AI tools or applications during interviews is not permitted.

We value a fair, transparent, and authentic recruitment process. Candidates are expected to participate in all stages of the interview process personally and to represent themselves accurately.

The use ofAI interview proxies, real-time AI co-pilots or answer-generation tools, deepfakes, impersonation, synthetic identities, or any other technology intended to misrepresent a candidate’s identity, skills, experience, or responses during the interview process is strictly prohibited.

Any candidate found to be using such methods will beautomatically disqualified from the recruitment process.

We kindly ask all candidates to respect the time and effort invested by both sides and to approach the interview process with honesty, professionalism, and integrity. If you are genuinely interested in the opportunity, we look forward to meeting you and learning about your own experience, skills, and perspective.