[Hiring] Financial Controller @Pencil

Role Description

We're looking for a Financial Controller to become the senior owner of financial controls, cash flow, and day-to-day process across Pencil's finance function. Reporting to the Head of Finance, you'll take ownership of the controls framework, month-end close, cash flow, and the senior judgement calls — supporting our Senior Management Accountant on revenue recognition and our Finance Manager on accounts payable and month-end close. This is a newly created role: you'll be building the controls and process layer as Pencil scales 3x, working closely with a lean, high-performing team.

• Own and continuously strengthen the internal control framework across all business cycles (P2P, O2C, payroll, expenses), and run a recurring monthly operational hygiene review.
• Give final review on management accounts, revenue recognition, and AP runs prepared by the Finance Manager and Senior Management Accountant, and first review of monthly payroll ahead of Head of Finance approval.
• Own monthly workings for internally developed costs and ensure appropriate controls for audit.
• Own cash flow forecasting and treasury, giving final sign-off on bank payments.
• Provide senior judgement and support to the Senior Management Accountant on complex revenue recognition questions, and to the Finance Manager on AP and cost management.
• Own escalation relationships (banking queries, calls, vendor/software ownership) and the finance function's AI usage policy.
• Streamline the finance operations leveraging the strength of AI.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant, must have UK experience (ACCA, ACA, or CIMA).
• 5 years of finance experience, including 2 years of industry experience.
• Experience owning financial controls and process in a fast-paced scaling business, ideally SaaS or tech.
• Comfortable managing cash flow independently, including bank payment sign-off.
• A track record of making and standing behind senior judgement calls (accruals, revenue treatment, risk) rather than just reviewing others' work.
• Confident working with modern finance tooling (Xero, ApprovalMax, Maxio or equivalent).
• Demonstrable AI skills to optimize finance workflows and efficiency.

Benefits

• 25 days PTO plus public holidays, although we operate a Flexible Time Off scheme.
• Health insurance / private medical cover.
• Monthly stipend towards wellness, fitness, and learning and development.
• Remote - work from anywhere in your home country.
• Enhanced parental leave policies, whether you become a parent through birth, adoption or surrogacy.
• Flexible working hours.