In many ways, the role of Financial Controller is a unique one in even the largest of organisations. There could be a number of individuals who have some input into managing the finances of the company, of course, but when you’re the Financial Controller the buck really does stop with you. If you like fiscal responsibility, this could be the ideal role for you.

It can be an extremely varied role, one in which you will often be involved with the seemingly small details while never losing sight of the bigger picture. Interpreting data, identifying trends and managing budgets will all be important aspects of the job, and the chances are no two days will ever be the same. Sometimes you’ll be interacting with members of your team and other times you’ll be working on your own behind closed doors on solo projects.

As Financial Controller, you’ll also be in a position which impacts on all aspects of the business, and as a result you’ll be in regular contact with departments right across the company. Finance will be your main focus, of course, but you’ll also need to understand the demands of all areas, such as logistics, production, sales, purchasing and more.

You’ll need to display a number of qualities to succeed as a Finance Controller. This is a role that tends to attract those with an excellent understanding of office technology, for example, and the best jobs often go to born leaders with a meticulous approach and a strong eye for detail. Needless to say, accurate reporting will be an absolute must as well.

The career path that leads to a Financial Controller

If you have experience as a Financial Controller that will obviously be a major advantage, but there are other roles that offer plus points to potential employers. They include:

• Corporate Accountant
• Finance Director
• Chief Finance Officer
• Financial Accountant
• Financial Planner
• Business Analyst
• Finance Manager
• Financial Comptroller
• Chief Accounting Officer

If you have finance qualifications from business school or a university you can expect to find a number of possibilities that will match your ambitions. Industry-specific accreditation can also help, although many Financial Controllers develop career paths that take them to a diverse range of industry sectors such as construction, automotive, retail, banking, healthcare and leisure.

Michael Page have access to a great selection of senior finance jobs in a location that plays host to a huge number of prestigious and influential global organisations that regularly look to attract talented Financial Controllers from all over the world. To find vacancies at the earliest stage all you have to do is set up an email job alert. Make sure you also submit your CV to our team for further consideration.