Financial Controller - 12 Month Fixed Term Contract

About Us

Tails.com is dedicated to enhancing the lives of dogs and their owners by providing personalized nutrition tailored to each dog's unique characteristics such as age, breed, activity level, and preferences. We deliver customized meal plans to customers’ doorsteps every month, ensuring precise care without the hassle. As a certified B Corp, we maintain strong commitments to social and environmental responsibility, aiming to create a better environment for future generations of dogs and their humans. Our partnership with Purina, a global leader in pet food, supports our ambitious plans for growth.

Role Overview

We are seeking a seasoned Financial Controller for a 12-month maternity cover contract. Reporting to the Finance Director and leading a team of four professionals, you will oversee all financial management aspects and play a pivotal role in supporting the company's ongoing expansion and success.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a finance team of four to cultivate accountability, professional growth, and strong performance.
• Manage daily finance operations, ensuring robust controls, efficient processes, and high service standards across the business.
• Handle all tax, VAT, and transfer pricing matters ensuring full compliance with UK and European regulations.
• Guarantee accuracy and integrity of the balance sheet and timely delivery of monthly financial reports.
• Drive month-end and year-end closing activities, delivering high-quality financial results and supporting monthly forecasting.
• Manage all external financial reporting including annual audits, corporation tax returns, Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC) claims, payroll reports, and financial disclosures to Nestlé Purina.
• Oversee treasury functions including cash flow management, cash forecasting, foreign exchange, and banking relationships.
• Collaborate with external payroll providers to ensure correct and timely payroll, tax, and pension processing alongside accurate payroll and headcount reporting.
• Forge strong partnerships within Finance and with wider business areas to promote effective collaboration, financial governance, and strategic commercial insights.
• Continuously seek opportunities to enhance processes, controls, and reporting, fostering efficiency and scalability as the company grows.

Candidate Profile

• Qualified accountant with extensive post-qualification experience, ideally in a Financial Controller or similar leadership capacity, responsible for financial reporting, compliance, controls, and team management.
• Proven technical proficiency in finance including executing accurate month-end/year-end closes, maintaining balance sheet integrity, statutory reporting, audit coordination, and tax compliance.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and support a finance team while consistently meeting tight deadlines.
• Hands-on and adaptable approach balancing strategic oversight and detailed execution; advanced Excel skills and a proactive, solution-oriented mindset are essential.
• Experienced in forecasting, cash flow, treasury management, payroll oversight, and financial planning with an emphasis on accuracy and ongoing improvement.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, adept at simplifying complex financial concepts and influencing senior leaders and non-finance colleagues.
• A mindset focused on continuous improvement, with a history of refining financial processes, controls, and reports to enhance efficiency and accommodate growth.
• Experience within international business settings and familiarity with UK tax, VAT, and regulatory obligations is beneficial.

Benefits & Work Conditions

• Private healthcare coverage through AXA.
• Enjoy a 9-day fortnight with the office closed every alternate Friday.
• 25 days of annual leave plus 8 additional remote working days.

Recruitment Process

• Initial CV review by the talent acquisition team.
• Phone conversation to discuss your skills, experience, and learn more about the role and company.
• Video interview with the hiring manager.
• Presentation of a task to a panel of interviewers upon successful prior stages.

Equal Opportunity Commitment

We are committed to equal opportunity employment, ensuring a fair and structured recruitment process. We encourage applications from under-represented groups to enhance diversity. Reasonable adjustments for interviews are available on request.