Financial Controller – 3-4 days a week job at Remote Full Time

We are seeking a Part-time Financial Controller (3-4 days a week) who will be responsible for owning the entire finance function at Shephard, reporting directly to the COO.

This is a hands-on role combining operational ownership, financial control, and commercial insight. The Financial Controller will review existing book-keeping provision and ensure the finance function runs smoothly day to day, while also providing clear, timely information to support decision-making and growth.

The role is fully remote, with quarterly in-person company offsite meetings.

About Shephard Group:
Shephard Group is a leading provider of market intelligence and marketing solutions to the defence industry. Our clients are drawn from across the defence supply chain and include some of the largest defence companies in the world. The company has is now entering a period of substantial growth and the management team is looking to scale the business in the next three to five years with an eye towards a potential investment or exit.

 

Why Join Shephard Group?

Collaborative and values-driven work environment

Opportunity to work in a growing and innovative company at the forefront of an important industry

Professional growth opportunity to shape and lead a finance function in an entrepreneurial business

Competitive salary and incentive structure

What we are looking for

This role is perfect for someone who is comfortable being the sole finance lead, able to move between detail and strategy, and keen to shape how finance supports the wider business. The ideal candidate has experience of subscriptions businesses, can be hands-on and detail-oriented, but commercially minded; can communicate clearly with non-finance colleagues; is pragmatic and solutions-focused and can think beyond pure accounting compliance.

Core responsibilities

1. Ownership of the finance function

The Financial Controller will have full responsibility for finance across the business.

This includes:
Acting as the primary finance lead and first point of contact

Owning finance activity end to end, without reliance on other internal finance roles

Ensuring finance issues are identified, understood, and resolved

Setting priorities within the finance function

Ensuring the COO is supported, not burdened, by finance

The expectation is that finance operates reliably and predictably, with minimal escalation required.

2. Bank reconciliations, cash oversight and visibility

3. Rolling 13-week cashflow forecast

4. Accounts payable and receivable (AP/AR):
fully supervise existing AP and AR processes, and review the existing outsourced provision.

5. Payroll ownership

6. Month-end close and management reporting

7. Financial control, policies and risk

8. System, process improvement and projects

Experience and background

Qualified accountant (or equivalent experience)

Strong operational and technical accounting background

Experience owning a finance function as a sole or senior lead

Experience producing management accounts

Strong cashflow and forecasting experience

Experience with accounting systems (Xero preferred)

Exposure to systems implementation or process improvement projects

What success looks like

Finance operates smoothly with minimal escalation

Cash position and forecasts are accurate and trusted

Payroll runs reliably with no surprises

Month-end is predictable and timely

The COO spends significantly less time in finance detail

Finance is seen as a proactive, value-adding function

 What We Offer:
25 days annual leave

Work from home 

Laptop, phone and home office equipment if needed

Workplace pension plan

Contributory Private medical insurance

Life cover 

Employee assistance programme

Maternity and Paternity leave

Armed forces leave

Shephard Group Values:  

At Shephard Group, we are guided by our core values:
A Desire to Excel:  We are committed to delivering the highest standards in everything we do

Challenging the Status Quo:  We constantly seek opportunities to innovate and improve by questioning established practices

Treating Our Colleagues and Customers with Integrity:  We foster trust and respect through honesty and ethical behaviour

Seeking Creative Solutions:  We approach problems with creativity, aiming to find more effective and forward-thinking solutions

 

Apply Now

If you are interested in this role and believe your experience aligns with what we are looking for, we would welcome your application.

Please submit your CV and a short cover letter outlining your relevant experience and motivation

Shephard Group is an equal-opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace for all.