Assistant Controller Job Description: Financial Reporting and Accounting

The Assistant Controller plays a key role in supporting the financial management and reporting functions of an organisation. Candidates who have solid accounting experience, strong attention to detail and the ability to supervise transactional teams should apply.

Assistant Controller Job Profile

The Assistant Controller provides leadership for day-to-day accounting operations and supports the preparation of accurate and timely financial statements. The role is focused on ensuring robust internal controls, managing month-end close activities and delivering reliable management information to senior finance stakeholders.

The post holder will work closely with the Controller or Finance Director to implement accounting policies, coordinate audit activity and drive continuous improvements in accounting processes and financial controls.

Assistant Controller Job Description

The Assistant Controller oversees the general ledger, reconciliations and accounting sub-processes ensuring compliance with applicable accounting standards and internal policies. The role requires prioritising month-end and year-end close tasks, preparing journal entries and supporting the preparation of statutory and management reports.

The Assistant Controller will supervise and mentor accounting staff, coordinate with external auditors and liaise with other departments to resolve accounting queries. The role is expected to identify opportunities for process automation and efficiency gains while maintaining a strong control environment.

The successful candidate will provide analytical support for budgeting and forecasting activities, contribute to variance analysis and support ad hoc financial projects as required by senior finance leadership.

Assistant Controller: Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage month-end and year-end close activities to produce timely and accurate financial statements.
• Prepare and review complex journal entries and ensure appropriate supporting documentation.
• Maintain the general ledger and perform regular account reconciliations.
• Supervise and develop accounting team members, including workload allocation and performance feedback.
• Ensure strong internal controls and compliance with accounting policies and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate external and internal audit requests and support audit fieldwork.
• Prepare balance sheet and P&L analyses and investigate significant variances.
• Oversee accounts payable and accounts receivable processes to maintain accurate ageing and cash application.
• Support budgeting, forecasting and monthly variance analysis for management reporting.
• Manage fixed asset accounting including capitalisation, depreciation and disposals.
• Assist in treasury tasks such as cash flow monitoring and bank reconciliations.
• Develop and document accounting procedures and contribute to process improvement initiatives.
• Liaise with tax advisors and support preparation of tax schedules and submissions.
• Provide financial data and insight for cross-functional projects and business decision making.

Assistant Controller: Requirements and Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.
• Professional accounting qualification such as ACCA, ACA, CIMA or equivalent is preferred.
• Minimum of five years practical accounting experience with at least two years in a supervisory or senior accounting role.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting standards and financial reporting requirements.
• Demonstrable experience managing month-end close and preparing management accounts.
• Excellent analytical and problem solving skills with attention to detail.
• Experience coordinating audits and preparing audit schedules.
• Proven ability to implement and maintain internal controls and accounting policies.
• Effective communication skills with the ability to present financial information to non-finance stakeholders.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work to tight deadlines in a fast paced environment.
• Proficient in spreadsheet analysis and comfortable working with accounting systems and ERP software.
• Strong team leadership skills and experience in coaching or developing accounting staff.