Financial Controller

The Financial Controller at Plum has a diverse set of responsibilities, including ownership of the Group Financials, leading the Financial Control team, and ensuring compliance with regulatory standards. This role involves developing robust financial controls, managing daily finance operations, and identifying financial risks while proposing effective mitigation strategies. Additionally, the Financial Controller will collaborate with stakeholders on accounting implications for new products and oversee the month-end financial control close process.

To qualify for the Financial Controller position at Plum, candidates should have proven experience in financial control and a solid grasp of internal controls and compliance requirements. A qualification as a chartered accountant (ACA, ACCA, CPA, or equivalent) is essential. Strong leadership skills, excellent communication abilities, and experience with accounting systems and financial regulations (GAAP and IFRS) are also crucial to succeed in this role.

At Plum, fostering a collaborative environment is key. The Financial Controller will work closely with the CFO, FP&A team, and various departments to align financial control objectives with overall business goals. Regular communication and partnership with internal stakeholders ensure that everyone is on the same page, making it easier to navigate challenges and achieve success collectively.

Working as a Financial Controller at Plum comes with exciting perks! You'll benefit from stock options, private health insurance, an annual training budget, and a flexible working approach. We also offer 25 days of holiday plus bank holidays, 45 work-from-anywhere days, and a two-week sabbatical after four years. Our team enjoys a fun, inclusive culture, team lunches, and an annual trip to a surprise destination!

Important skills for the Financial Controller at Plum include a thorough understanding of financial regulations, strong leadership and team management capabilities, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate effectively across all levels. Candidates should also be comfortable with ambiguity and have experience in regulatory returns, particularly in an EMI licensed organization or financial services.

When answering this question, emphasize your relevant work experience in establishing, monitoring, and improving financial controls specifically within a fintech setting. Mention specific tools or metrics used to assess financial health and compliance, and highlight successes in identifying risks and implementing strategies to mitigate those risks. It's important to demonstrate your adaptability to a rapidly changing industry.

In your response, discuss your approach to setting priorities based on factors like regulatory compliance deadlines, project timelines, and team workload. Explain how you involve your team in the decision-making process to gauge their insights and ensure buy-in for priorities. Share examples of how you have successfully managed competing deadlines in previous roles.

To answer this question effectively, provide examples of initiatives you've implemented that encouraged team members to suggest improvements, such as regular feedback sessions or performance reviews. Highlight how you celebrated achievements and how continuous learning opportunities further enhanced team performance. Show your commitment to empowering employees through professional development.

Demonstrating your proactive approach is key here. Share how you regularly engage with industry publications, attend webinars and seminars, and network with professionals in the financial sector. Mention any specific resources or organizations you follow or are part of to ensure you are always informed about changes in financial regulations that could impact Plum.

When addressing this question, highlight your familiarity with various reporting formats and software. Narrate your process of gathering data, analyzing it for insights, and presenting it to various stakeholders. Highlight the importance of clear and concise communication, citing any significant presentations that led to swift decision-making or strategic shifts based on your reports.

In your answer, emphasize your meticulousness and communication skills. Talk about how you coordinate with external auditors, ensuring all necessary documentation is readily available and navigating any questions efficiently. Mention how you proactively manage to build relationships with these auditors to ensure smooth audits each year and any strategies you employ to address findings and implement corrective actions.

To effectively answer this question, choose a specific challenge that highlights your analytical skills and problem-solving abilities. Describe the context of the issue, the steps you took to analyze it, the actions you implemented to resolve it, and the outcome. Focus on demonstrating how you maintained clear communication with your team and leadership throughout the process.

When responding, articulate your systematic approach to financial forecasting and budgeting. Discuss tools and methodologies you use to gather historical data, market trends, and insights from relevant departments. Highlight how you test forecasts against actual performance, adjusting strategies as necessary while creating a culture of accountability and accuracy within your team.

Technology is vital in today's financial landscape; be sure to share your experience implementing technology solutions to streamline financial controls. Discuss specifics, such as automation for routine tasks, data analytics for better decision-making, and software tools for compliance tracking. Present examples of how technology has improved efficiency and reduced the risk of human error in your past roles.

Address this by highlighting your leadership philosophy and how you foster a sense of belonging and collaboration, even in a remote setup. Talk about the importance of regular check-ins, leveraging technology for communication, and creating opportunities for team bonding. Provide examples of initiatives you've led to maintain team morale and productivity in a remote working environment.