Financial Controller

Introduction Saab UK is part of Scandinavia’s largest defence company, bringing together the best of Swedish and British innovation. Saab offers world-leading solutions and services in defence, aviation, space, and civil security to keep people and society safe. Our UK presence has been growing at pace, meaning we can offer a wide range of opportunities for personal fulfilment and career growth.

We currently employ over 600 people across eight sites in the UK, and our specialisations include software engineering, underwater robotics, radars, AI, and armed forces training. What you will be part of Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring purpose, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 28,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer and more sustainable world.

Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.

We are looking for an experienced management accountant looking to step into a controller role. Reporting into our Head of Finance, you will provide experienced operational ownership of accounting, financial control and assigned compliance delivery within Saab UK Finance. Deliver a reliable month-end work routine, maintain balance sheet quality, coordinate audit activity and ensure processes operate with appropriate controls. Provide documented assurance to the Head of Finance on compliance, reporting accuracy, controls and audit readiness, enabling the Head of Finance to focus on governance, transformation and Finance effectiveness.

Work closely with Accounting Services in Sweden to ensure effective collaboration, continuous improvement, operational efficiency and high-quality service delivery across accounting and reporting processes. The Financial Controller acts as the operational owner of financial control and compliance processes and is responsible for delivering assurance to the Head of Finance. The Head of Finance remains accountable for governance, compliance oversight, tax oversight and finance effectiveness.

Month-End and Accounting Delivery:
Own and coordinate the operational close work routines. Prepare or coordinate assigned journals, accruals, allocations and other accounting activities. Review accounting outputs and resolve or elevate exceptions. Maintain close procedures, audit trails and cover arrangements.

Reconciliations and Balance Sheet Quality:
Own operational reconciliation completion, review and evidence retention. Ensure balances are supported and reconciling items have clear owners and resolution dates. Review aged, unsupported or unusual balances and coordinate corrective action. Maintain accounting integrity through investigation and documented resolution of issues. Review accounting treatment, presentation and classification of material transactions and balances. Identify accounting matters requiring judgement and provide recommendations to the Head of Finance.

Escalate significant judgements and presentation matters to the Head of Finance.

Reporting:
Own monthly validation of assigned corporate function reporting. Ensure reporting reconciles to accounting records and all key review controls are evidenced. Support reporting governance established by the Head of Finance. Analyse reporting outputs to identify trends, risks and opportunities for improvement. Escalate significant reporting concerns and emerging risks promptly.

Monthly Assurance Reporting:
Financial close completion. Reconciliation status. VAT and PAYE compliance. Internal control completion. Audit readiness. Significant accounting matters. Balance sheet risks. Emerging compliance risks.

Compliance Execution:
Own preparation, coordination and submission of assigned VAT returns, reconciliations, supporting evidence and internal controls and checks. Coordinate PAYE payment preparation, reconciliations and compliance checks within the agreed remit. Own and post payroll journal preparation or coordination and discrepancy investigation. Coordinate P11D preparation and supporting information where applicable. Support the ICM calendar, deadlines, evidence and escalation arrangements. Escalate uncertain tax treatments and significant compliance risks and support specialist advice…