Financial controller

Somerce is a TikTok Shop specialist agency driving GMV growth for some of the fastest-growing beauty, fashion, lifestyle and FMCG brands across the UK, US and EU — from live commerce and affiliates to paid media and trading strategy.

We're scaling fast across revenue streams, and we're looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Financial Controller to own the day-to-day running of our finance function. Reporting to the CEO, you'll be responsible for accurate and timely reporting, a robust control environment, compliance across our entities, and finance processes that can scale with the business. It's a hands-on role with real influence, and a clear path to senior finance leadership as we grow.

Key Responsibilities

- Own the month-end and year-end close, delivering accurate monthly management accounts and commentary on time
- Prepare statutory accounts and manage the external audit process
- Oversee VAT, corporation tax, payroll and other statutory compliance across UK entities, working with external advisors where needed
- Manage cash flow, including weekly cash reporting and rolling cash forecasts
- Lead the annual budget and regular reforecasts, working closely with the CEO and department heads
- Produce client and service-line profitability reporting, margin analysis and KPI dashboards to support commercial decisions
- Ensure correct revenue recognition and billing across retainers, commission and performance-based fees
- Design, maintain and strengthen internal controls, approval processes and balance sheet reconciliations
- Manage multi-currency accounting and intercompany transactions
- Line-manage and develop the AP/AR and bookkeeping team
- Improve and automate finance processes and systems, including the accounting platform, expense management and reporting tools, with AI where it helps
- Prepare board and investor reporting packs as needed

Requirements

About You

- Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
- 5+ years' post-qualification experience, including time as a Financial Controller or Senior Finance Manager in a growing business
- Practice or Big 4 background is a plus
- Strong technical accounting knowledge, with hands-on experience of month-end close, statutory accounts and audit
- Confident with Excel and Google Workspace (Sheets, Docs, Drive)
- Fluent with Claude and similar AI tools; you reach for them to speed up analysis, reconciliation and process automation
- Hands-on, pragmatic and happy to roll your sleeves up in a fast-paced, low-bureaucracy environment
- Confident communicator who can explain finance clearly to non-finance stakeholders

Requirements
Essential

- Proven track record running the finance operations of a high-growth digital agency, scale-up, or tech/ecommerce business
- Experience delivering monthly management accounts, cash flow forecasting and statutory compliance
- Strong working knowledge of cloud accounting software in particular Xero
- High attention to detail and a methodical, controls-focused approach
- Experience managing or mentoring junior finance staff
- Strong communication skills; able to explain financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders

Desirable

- Experience in a digital agency, ecommerce, DTC or startup environment
- Experience implementing or upgrading finance systems
- Exposure to fundraising, due diligence or investor reporting

Benefits

Benefits

Core Benefits

- Competitive base salary (Performance bonus / equity options)
- 28 days holiday + bank holidays
- Hybrid working with offices in London and Manchester
- Flexible working hours – we care about output, not clock-watching

Growth & Career Development

- Clear progression paths with responsibility early
- Regular performance reviews focused on development and impact
- Direct exposure to a high-growth, fast-moving agency
- Work closely with senior leadership and have real input into the business

Financial & Lifestyle Perks

- Company pension scheme
- Monthly wellness allowance (gym, fitness, mental wellbeing or similar)
- Team socials and events throughout the year
- Staff discounts across our brands and partners

Work Environment

- Fast-paced, high-ownership culture
- Minimal bureaucracy and maximum accountability
- Surrounded by people who care about performance, creativity and doing things properly
- A business that wins with its clients, shared success matters

The Somerce Difference

- We trust our people
- We move quickly and back good ideas
- You’ll have real influence, not just responsibility
- If you perform, you’ll grow, simple as that