Financial Controller (12 month Temp Role)

Who we’re looking for
We are looking for a motivated and technically strong individual to join Schroders' Wealth Management Financial Control team, performing the role of Financial Controller for a number of Wealth Management subsidiaries. The role will provide dedicated financial control ownership, ensuring the integrity of accounting records, balance sheet control, statutory and regulatory reporting support, and clear escalation of financial risks and issues.

The team works closely with Wealth Operations and wider Finance colleagues, but has a distinct accountability for financial control, accounting judgement, reporting quality and the effectiveness of the control environment.

This role will report directly to the Wealth Management Financial Control Team Lead and will work closely with colleagues across Finance, Wealth Accounting Operations, Risk, Treasury, Regulation, Tax and other infrastructure functions as required.

About us
Schroders is a global investment manager which provides active asset management, wealth management and investment solutions. We aim to provide excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We serve a diverse client base that includes pension schemes, insurance companies, sovereign wealth funds, endowments, foundations, high net worth individuals, family offices, as well as end clients through partnerships with distributors, financial advisers, and online platforms.

Established in 1804, we have around 5,500 people across 36 global locations. Schroders' success can be attributed to its diversified business model, spanning different asset classes, client types and geographies.

The team
The Wealth Management Financial Control team manages the external reporting and financial control requirements for the Wealth Management operating subsidiaries (2 UK entities, 1 Channel Islands, 1 Switzerland, 1 Singapore). The team is responsible for high-quality entity financial records, balance sheet control, statutory reporting, board reporting support and financial input into regulatory and tax requirements. The team works closely with Wealth Operations, Group Reporting, Revenue Accounting, Cost Accounting, Financial Planning, Tax and Regulatory teams to ensure financial results are accurate, controlled and fit for use.

What you’ll do
•    Own the integrity of the financial records for allocated Wealth Management legal entities
•    Lead month-end, quarter-end and year-end close activities, ensuring results are accurate, controlled and delivered to required deadlines
•    Own balance sheet control, including review of reconciliations, substantiation, issue resolution and escalation of aged or material items
•    Maintain effective financial control frameworks, ensuring procedures, evidence and review controls are current and proportionate to risk and materiality
•    Prepare annual statutory accounts, quarterly board reporting and other entity-level financial reporting as required
•    Drive the preparation of entity statutory forecasts alongside the London FP&A team
•    Monitor compliance with financial and regulatory reporting requirements and manage relationships with external auditors
•    Support Regulatory and Tax teams through the provision of accurate, well-controlled financial data and clear explanation of key movements
•    Review financial trends, unusual balances and entity-level movements, providing insight and challenge to support decision-making
•    Identify process, control and reporting improvements and drive practical remediation through to completion
•    Escalate financial control risks, process weaknesses or reporting issues clearly, with recommended actions and ownership

The knowledge, experience and qualifications you need
•    Professional qualification such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent
•    Strong financial control background, ideally across legal entity accounting, balance sheet control, statutory accounts and audit
•    Strong understanding of IFRS or local equivalent accounting standards, with ability to apply accounting judgement to practical issues
•    Experience reviewing financial statements, balance sheet reconciliations, financial disclosures and audit deliverables
•    Strong Excel and analytical skills, including ability to work with data to identify trends, anomalies and control issues
•    Good understanding of finance systems, accounting processes and reporting controls
•    Clear communicator, able to explain financial issues, risks and remediation plans to stakeholders
•    Strong ownership mindset, with ability to work independently, challenge appropriately and escalate clearly
•    Well organised, with focus on quality, delivery discipline and meeting tight deadlines
•    Experience in the use of an accounting system, such as Oracle or SAP, is desirable
•    Ability to build effective working relationships across Finance, Wealth Operations and wider infrastructure teams
•    A good understanding of tax compliance issues, including international VAT, corporate tax and transfer pricing, is desirable
•    Previous experience of UK regulatory reporting is desirable
•    Knowledge of the wealth management industry is preferable

We Recognise Potential, Whoever You Are
Our purpose is to deliver excellent investment performance to clients through active management. We believe diverse perspectives and an inclusive culture help us make better decisions and achieve better outcomes for our clients. That's why inclusion is a strategic priority for us, and we are an equal opportunities employer. You are welcome here, regardless of your age, disability, gender identity, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, or any other protected characteristic.

We will consider flexible working arrangements for all roles and provide reasonable accommodations to support applicants and employees, including those with neurodiversity, disability, or physical and mental health needs. For more information, please visit our FAQs.