Career Advice for a Finance Controller

When you become a Finance Controller, you will manage accounting records, manage financial risk, and ensure compliance with the law and national regulations.

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How to Become a Finance Controller

Choosing your career path and learning how to become the person you aspire to be is not always straight forward; getting a job in your chosen industry will take dedication, focus and the right qualifications.

When you have chosen the career path you wish to follow, you will need to learn how to become a Finance Controller

Should you wish to work as a Finance Controller you will need to evaluate what courses are required, their cost and what qualifications you need. It is important that you also assess whether you have the right credentials from a personality point of view, what the demands of the job are and whether they complement the lifestyle that you desire.

Another factor to consider, should you wish to fulfil your career aspirations, is the number of jobs you will need to have to reach your ultimate job, and the length of time it will take to reach this goal.

Common Qualifications for a Finance Controller

  • Four GCSEs.
  • Two A Levels.
  • Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Accounting or Finance.
  • Accounting software proficiency.

Key Responsibilities for a Finance Controller

  • Preparing financial reports and presentations.
  • Producing budgets and income statements.
  • Overseeing audits and ensuring legal compliance.
  • Improving financial processes and operations.
  • Creating financial growth plans and strategies.
  • Forecasting financial performance, profit, and loss.
  • Analysing financial data.

What to expect as a Finance Controller

Working as a Finance Controller, you will need proven finance management, leadership, and communication skills. The role is office-based with a strong focus on analytics and compliance. You might train junior staff and work with other departments to raise awareness and promote income generation and regulatory compliance.

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How to get Finance Controller Jobs

Our advice on how to get a Finance Controller job is to focus on preparation and personalisation.

Preparation

This occurs before you write a CV cover letter or complete a Finance Controller application. If you have not held a Finance Controller position before, it will help to research the industry and review what a typical career path might look like. If you have held a Finance Controller role, focus your research on the company where you are seeking employment.

Valuable resources that will help you learn about the employer include the company’s career page, social media page, blog, job ad, and job description. Helpful information will consist of the company’s mission statement, values, and vision. You could also use an employer review site to gain insights on average salaries, what current employees say about the company culture, and what it is like to work for the organisation.

Personalisation

You are now in a position to use what you have learned in your Finance Controller CV, cover letter, and application. You should personalise each Finance Controller application, cover letter, and CV; prioritising job skills and relevant experience and providing examples that show you have similar values and goals.

This pre-application stage is a crucial step in how to become a Finance Controller in the UK. It puts you in a superbly informed state, ready for forthcoming telephone, video, or in-person interviews.

Students: How to Become a Finance Controller 

As with all professions, choose your study topics carefully. Review the qualifications needed to be a Finance Controller and the subjects you will need to enrol in certification courses, higher education, or online courses. 

Aligning your study subjects

The more closely you align your study subjects with your career path, the more likely you will be to have projects and modules that you can refer to and show a prospective employer that you have practical or theoretical Finance Controller experience.

How to get Finance Controller Experience

What does it take to be a Finance Controller? The best way to find out is to get work experience, which will be invaluable when applying for Finance Controller jobs. You can learn how to be a successful Finance Controller through internships, apprenticeships, or volunteering for a local business.

How to be a Finance Controller Part-Time 

If you are wondering how to get into Finance Controller part-time, there are several possibilities. You might find a new employer looking for a part-time Finance Controller or find your existing employer is amenable. Often companies recognise the value of flexible hours and having more staff at work during busy times of the day. 

Finance Controller freelance work

If you have impressive Finance Controller qualifications and experience, you could take on the challenges of working freelance with control over your schedule.

Making a Career Change

How to start a career in this profession if you work in another industry may require studying for qualifications online and focusing on transferable skills when writing your CV and attending job interviews.