Financial Controller

Location: Hybrid – London Bridge (minimum 3 days per week in-office)💼Salary & Package£45,000 to £60,000 (based on experience)performance-based bonusstandard pensionshare optionsBYOD allowance25 days annual leave + 3 additional days at Christmasaccess to salary exchange schemes for pension, electric car and cycle to work team events and career development support🎯Role OverviewWe’re looking for a hands-on, people-focused Financial Controller to join our E-commerce & Retail Finance-as-a-Service (FaaS) team. You’ll play a central role in client delivery, team management, and transformation projects — helping founders get real-time performance insight — from gross margins to fulfilment efficiency — while ensuring finance runs smoothly.This role combines technical oversight, people development, and project execution — making it ideal for someone who thrives on variety and wants to step confidently into a future Portfolio FD and CFO position.You’ll be seen as a manger in a pod of 10+ team members, drive process improvements, support client transitions, and elevate the quality of reporting and insight across a wide range of e-commerce & retail clients. You’ll be backed by cutting-edge tech and a commercially focused e-commerce sector team that wants you to succeed and grow with us.🧱Core ResponsibilitiesLead and develop a team of 10+, providing oversight, coaching, and support across e-commerce & retail clientsOversee accounting and reporting for online retail transactions, stock movements and payment reconciliationsManage and improve finance processes for new clients — map data flows from Shopify, Amazon or ERP systems into clean accounting structuresSupport the delivery of bespoke management information packs and dashboards; across typical e-commerce metrics: CAC, LTV, AOV, conversion, repeat rate, return rate, contribution marginReview close activities and working papers (e.g. reconciliations, VAT returns, prepayments, accruals, journals), with particular focus on stock & inventory managementReview monthly and quarterly management accounts, including commentaries and insightsReview year-end statutory accounts and corporation tax computationsTake primary relationship ownership for less complex clients; support Portfolio CFOs on othersInvestigate and respond to technical accounting queriesWork across cloud-based finance systems (e.g. Xero, QuickBooks, Sage) and reporting toolsGet stuck into ad hoc projects, non-routine queries, and internal process improvements — as part of an agile, fast-moving team✅ Must HaveACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified (or equivalent)1+ years post-qualified experience with exposure to e-commerce & retail businessesProficiency in stock and margin accounting, understanding of the inter relation between stock, cost of sales & gross margin analysisStrong knowledge of bookkeeping, management accounts, consolidations, and month-end finance processesExperience preparing/reviewing accounts under UK GAAP and Companies Act requirementsStrong Excel skills and experience with cloud accounting platforms (Xero, QuickBooks, Sage)Experience managing multiple stakeholders and juggling competing prioritiesExcellent attention to detail, time management, and process disciplineA client-first mindset — always striving to add value and deliver better outcomesA proactive approach to questioning and improving how things are doneAmbition to grow into a Portfolio CFO role within Ascendant💡Nice to HaveExperience leading a sector, pod, or multi-team structureExperience supporting client transitions and system migrationsDemonstrable understanding of e-commerce & retail models: in particular returns, fulfilment, channel P&LHands-on exposure to Shopify, Unleashed, Striped, Adyen, 3PL, ERP integrations or similarPrior experience leading a pod or mentoring junior team membersExperience working in fast-paced, high-growth environments👥Team StructureReporting to: Sector Finance Director/CFOTeam: Leads a team of 10+, including qualified and part-qualified staffCollaborating with: Portfolio CFOs, FDs, transition & transformation team, compliance and tax functions🧬About AscendantAscendant is here to reboot what people expect from accountants. We combine smart systems, sharp thinking, and real relationships to help ambitious businesses move faster and make better decisions. Whether it’s compliance, R&D, or full finance-as-a-service, we deliver accounting and tax that’s strategic, scalable, and always on it.Built for founders. Powered by tech. Backed by humans.Does this sound like you? We'd love to hear from you: https://ascendant.typeform.com/to/WjiVysSL