Group Financial Controller | Deep Tech Stage | Hybrid Interim, Potential

Zanda is an Executive search partner that works exclusively with high growth start-ups as they look to scale their business with senior talent. Zanda partners with VC’s, Founder’s, CEO’s and CFO’s when it comes to successfully delivering on key senior appointments.

Our client is a well-funded technology company tackling one of the hardest engineering problems in its field, work with the potential to influence breakthroughs across several major industries. Backed by significant venture investment and trusted by a small number of high-profile partners, this is a business scaling at pace and building the finance function to match.

They need a Group Financial Controller who can walk in and run the function from day one, not settle in gradually. Reporting to the CFO on an initial 6 month interim basis with a genuine route to permanent, this role sits at the intersection of hands-on ownership and strategic build: full control of accounting operations, audit and tax, and a direct hand in shaping the processes and controls a fast-scaling business will run on for years.

Full ownership of billing, AR, AP, GL, cost accounting and revenue recognition. Audit leadership, R&D tax credit claims and transfer pricing. Monthly financial statements, regulatory reporting, and month-end/year-end close. Internal controls and business process design from the ground up. UK and international compliance across IFRS, company law and taxation. Commercial input on procurement and supply contracts, including negotiation. Direct relationships with auditors, investors, suppliers and customers, as a genuine finance partner rather than a back-office function.

15+ years combined accounting and finance experience, ACA, ACMA or ACCA qualified. Financial Controller experience spanning both public and private environments, ideally with PCAOB audit exposure. Net Suite or comparable ERP implementation experience, and a genuine track record leading finance transformation, not just supporting it. Proven comfort in high-growth start-ups, where the job changes shape every quarter. International multi-jurisdiction experience and prior exposure to deep tech, R&D-intensive models, or R&D tax credits and grant capitalisation will set you apart.

If you want to inherit a function, not build one, this isn't it. This is for someone who wants the ambiguity, the pace and the chance to make the role permanently theirs.