Hiring Your First Financial Controller in London? Here’s What You Need to Know

Welcome back to Scaling Smart: The Finance Leadership Podcast, the show for business leaders who know that great finance isn't just about the numbers — it's about building the backbone for sustainable growth.

I’m your host, Adrian Lawrence, and in today’s episode, we’re talking about something that could dramatically change the way your business runs — hiring your first Financial Controller, and why getting it right in a city like London is both a challenge... and an incredible opportunity.

So if you’re scaling up, your finance function is feeling the strain, and you’re wondering how to recruit a truly strategic finance leader — this episode is for you.

We’ll explore:

• What a Financial Controller really brings to the table.
• The risks of hiring the wrong one — especially in London.
• And how Accountancy Capital is making the recruitment process smarter, faster, and far more effective.

Let’s dive in.

Every founder, every scaling CEO reaches a point when they realise:

“I need more than just an accountant.”

The business is growing. Maybe you’ve raised investment, taken on more staff, launched new products. Revenue’s up — but so are the risks.

And suddenly, it’s not just about filing taxes or closing the books. It’s about building a financial strategy, managing cash flow proactively, leading a finance team, and translating complex data into action.

That’s the moment you need a Financial Controller.

But here’s the catch...

Hiring one in London — one of the most competitive finance recruitment markets in the world — isn’t easy.

And hiring the wrong one? That can be costly, painful, and set you back by months.

Segment Two: What a Great Financial Controller Actually Does

HOST:

Let’s clear something up.

A Financial Controller is not just a “senior accountant.” They are the operational leader of your finance department. Think of them as the person who builds the system that keeps your company’s financial engine running smoothly — so you, the founder or CEO, can focus on vision and growth.

Here’s what a great Financial Controller in London will typically take care of:

• Building and overseeing internal finance teams
• Delivering monthly management accounts that drive decision-making
• Managing cash flow forecasts and scenario planning
• Implementing systems and controls to prepare you for scale or even audit
• Ensuring compliance with UK regulations and international standards
• Liaising with investors, auditors, HMRC — you name it
• Acting as your financial co-pilot, especially if you don’t yet have a CFO

This is a high-impact hire.

So the question is — how do you find the right one, especially in London’s saturated finance job market?

That’s where Accountancy Capital comes in.

Segment Three: Spotlight on Accountancy Capital’s London Financial Controller Recruitment Service

HOST:

So I want to shine a light on a firm doing something genuinely useful for London-based businesses — Accountancy Capital.

Their Financial Controller Recruitment Service, which you can check out at accountancycapital.co.uk/london-financial-controller-recruitment, is designed for exactly the kind of businesses I just described.