Strategic Financial Controller - Hybrid VCFO Lead

Location: Hybrid / Cambridge, UK
job type: Permanent / Full-time
Sector and subsector: Accounting & Finance | Finance
Salary: Competitive salary

Reporting to: Director / Senior Leadership Team

Hours: Full time Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm (37.5 hours per week

Location: Cambridge

Affinia is the UK’s fastest growing purpose-led, purpose-built Accountancy firm, focused on building stronger, more valuable relationships. With over 1000 colleagues across the East, South East, London and the Midlands, we are dedicated to supporting our clients, colleagues and communities.

We advise businesses, public sector organisations, charities and individuals throughout the UK and internationally across six Service Lines – Accounts Solution, Taxation, Audit & Assurance, Corporate Finance, Payroll and Corporate Recovery, supported by centralised enabling functions spanning People, Finance, Marketing, Business Support, IT, Risk and Corporate Development. Our team also offer in-depth sector expertise across a number of sectors, ensuring our clientsreceive the best short to medium and long-term advice, tailored to them.

We are committed to delivering excellence in every aspect of our work, adapting to the evolving technology and regulatory landscape while consistently exceeding client expectations.

Our people are our most valuable asset. We are therefore committed to supporting our colleagues throughout their professional development, providing guidance and training at whatever stage of their career they join us.

Purpose of the Role:

Affinia (formally Green & Purple, Cambridge) is currently seeking a high calibre, dynamic and energetic individual to join the firm as Financial Controller within our Virtual Finance office (VCFO) Accounts team.

The Financial Controller is responsible for leading client financial operations, delivering high-quality financial management services, and supporting the development of both clients and internal teams. The role combines technical accounting expertise, commercial awareness, client relationship management, and team leadership to ensure exceptional service delivery and business growth.

The Financial Controller acts as a trusted advisor to clients, proactively identifying opportunities for improvement, driving financial insight, and ensuring strong operational and financial controls across all engagements.

Accountabilities:

You will be required to own and manage a varied set of deliverables across external client assignments and internal initiatives including:

Client Leadership & Relationship Management

· Own and manage client relationships from onboarding through to ongoing delivery.

· Lead financial discussions confidently with clients and stakeholders.

· Provide proactive financial advice and strategic insight.

· Lead client meetings, proposals, and service reviews.

· Identify opportunities to expand service offerings and support business growth.

· Oversee billing, recoveries, WIP, and client profitability.

· Monitor client budgets, resource allocation, and scope management.

· Support forecasting, budgeting, and financial planning activities.

· Drive efficiencies and process improvements.

Technical & Delivery Excellence

· Review and sign off management accounts and financial reports.

· Ensure high standards of accuracy, quality, and compliance.

· Provide technical accounting guidance to clients and team members.

· Present financial information confidently to senior stakeholders.

· Coach, mentor, and develop junior team members.

· Delegate effectively while maintaining oversight and support.

· Build a collaborative and high-performing culture.

· Support performance management and development planning.

Technology & Process Improvement

· Identify inefficiencies and recommend process improvements.

· Support implementation of improved workflows and systems.

· Champion effective use of financial systems and technology.

Risk, Quality & Compliance

· Identify, assess, and manage financial and operational risks.

· Maintain strong quality control and compliance standards.

· Take ownership of issues through to resolution.

Skills/Qualifications:

The ideal individual will be experienced in Transaction Services activities including FDD, valuations and financial modelling. There is a particular need for an individual who brings strong expertise in either or both business valuations and financial modelling, particularly with experience in valuations relating to disputes/litigation. They willpossess strong interpersonal and communication skills with a genuine desire to contribute to the strategic direction and success of the Affinia group. They must also possess:

. Experience of managing internal stakeholders of all levels of seniority.

· Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

· Strong experience in financial management and client service delivery.

· Experience leading and developing teams.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including providing a high standard of service to clients.

· Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability.

· High attention to detail and commitment to quality.

· Strong systems and technology skills.

Culture & Core Benefits:

At Affinia, our culture is driven by ambition and a commitment to positively impact all the communities we serve. We are dedicated to the success, development, and wellbeing of our colleagues, helping them achieve their goals and seize the opportunities that come with our growth. Alongside a flexible and inclusive work environment, we offer the following core benefits:

• Option to buy up to 3 days per annum
• Auto enrolment Pension Scheme with True Potential
• Death in Service
• Professional membership support
• Paycare – claim money back for Dental / Optical / Professional Therapies
• Agile/Hybrid Working Policy
• Dress for your Diary Policy

Affinia is a flexible business which has embraced a hybrid working model where ourcolleagues enjoy a mix of home and office working. We welcome applications from people looking for flexible and agile, roles and we are happy to explore your preferred working patterns as part of your application.

Affinia is committed to being an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our policy is unequivocal: we do not tolerate discrimination based on age, disability, sex, race, religion or belief, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, or sexual orientation. We pride ourselves on being an inclusive organisation that actively promotes equality of opportunity for all, valuing the right mix of talent, skills, and potential. We welcome applications from a diverse range of candidates, and selection for roles is based solely on individual merit.

Recruitment Privacy Notice:

Affinia will use the personal data you provide for recruitment purposes, including assessing suitability, communicating with you, arranging interviews, and completing pre-employment checks. Our lawful bases include contractual necessity, legal obligations, and our legitimate interests in managing recruitment.

Do you have the right to work in the UK?

Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment?

What is your current notice period?

Desired employment type (full-time, part-time, internship, contract)

Do you have any accounting or finance related qualifications? (e.g. AAT, ATT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CTA etc)

Do you have ongoing studies? (if pursing qualifications)

How have you heard about this position?

What are your salary expectations?

Have you been referred to this job by a current Affinia employee? No Yes

Apply for this position

First name Last name Email LinkedIn profile Phone Location CV file Do you have the right to work in the UK?
Will you now or in the future require sponsorship for employment?
What is your current notice period?
Desired employment type (full-time, part-time, internship, contract)
Do you have any accounting or finance related qualifications? (e.g. AAT, ATT, ACA, ACCA, CIMA, CPA, CTA etc)
Do you have ongoing studies? (if pursing qualifications)
How have you heard about this position?
What are your salary expectations?
Have you been referred to this job by a current Affinia employee? No Yes Cover note
The administrator of your data is Affinia with its registered office in London, UK, E20 1HZ, at Westfield Avenue . The data is collected for the purposes of recruitment for the position given in the advertisement, it can also be processed in future recruitment processes with your additional consent. Providing personal information is voluntary. You have the right to access the data, correct or delete it. Detailed information on the processing of personal data by Affinia can be found in the principles of data processing in Cezanne Recruitment and our Privacy Policy. I agree to the processing of my personal data by Affinia for the purposes of this recruitment process for the position specified in the advertisement. I consent to the processing of my personal data by Affinia for the purposes of future recruitment processes. By applying to this job you accept the Privacy Policy

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