Financial Controller

Salary: £78,000 up to £90,473 dependent upon experience

Contract Type: Permanent - Full or Part Time (4 Days)

Security Level: SC

We are the UK's aviation and aerospace regulator and recognised as a world leader in its field. Our activities are diverse, enabling the aviation industry to meet the highest safety standards, and we pride ourselves on our ability to adapt to the constantly evolving aviation environment.

The Role

As part of the Finance Senior Leadership Team, the primary purpose of the role is to lead and direct several key financial functions of the CAA and provide the best possible customer experience, both internally and externally, to users of the services offered, whilst playing a key role in aspects of the CAA’s financial governance. Specific duties include:

• Lead and direct the Payroll function to ensure all employees are paid accurately and on a timely basis.
• Collaborate with HR counterparts to facilitate joined up processes in terms of all changes to employee data affecting pay and consistency of data held on HR and payroll systems.
• Manage contract with 3rd party payroll software provider to ensure functionality, and service is fit for purpose and in line with agreed service levels, including holding regular service review meetings with 3rd party supplier and taking remedial action as required.
• Lead and direct the Accounts Payable function to ensure supplier invoices are processed and paid promptly and are in line with the CAA’s agreed procure to pay process.
• Lead and direct the Travel and Related Expenses function to ensure business expenses are processed and paid accurately and on a timely basis.
• Own and maintain CAA expenses policy.
• Manage contract with 3rd party expenses software provider to ensure functionality, configuration and service is fit for purpose and in line with agreed service levels, including holding regular service review meetings with 3rd party supplier and taking remedial action as required.
• Lead and direct the Credit Control function to ensure customer invoices are settled on a timely basis with a minimal level of bad debt write offs.
• Manage contract with 3rd party debt recovery provider to ensure appropriate action is taken on debts referred to them for further action, including approving issuance of Statutory Demands and Winding Up Petitions where necessary. Hold regular case review and service review meetings with 3rd party supplier and take remedial action as required.
• Lead and direct all Tax matters for CAA ensuring compliance with requirements of HMRC and overseas tax authorities as necessary (includes corporation tax, employment taxes, VAT, withholding tax, etc.).
• Identify and mitigate CAA Group-wide tax risks, including collaboration with HR counterparts and business leads where remedial action is required to be taken by them.
• Manage all CAA Group insurance matters including ensuring key policies are in place for liability risks as necessary, including aviation, professional indemnity, motor, employers’, public & products, personal accident & business travel, property – amongst others. Act as focal liaison point for insurance brokers and CAA employees on all insurance matters.
• Lead IAS 19 annual valuation of disclosures in respect of defined benefit pension scheme for inclusion in Annual Report & Accounts. Key liaison with external pensions advisors.
• Provide input and expertise on other CAA pensions-related matters including attending at CAA Pension
• Trustees meetings as required to represent the employer.
• Develop and provide reporting as necessary to Head of Corporate Finance, CFO, ExCo and the Board for all areas of responsibility.
• Identify and lead process improvement activities for all areas of responsibility.
• Act in a supporting capacity to CAA colleagues on Annual Report preparation activities as necessary.
• Develop and motivate team members.

Core Accountabilities

Outcomes Expected from Role Holder:

• Efficient and effective processes, polices and contracts in place to deliver payroll, accounts payable, debt recovery, expenses services.
• Compliance with UK and overseas tax authority requirements.
• Effective mitigation of key tax risks of CAA Group.
• Insurance policies in place to cover all key significant potential liabilities of CAA Group ensuring value for money achieved.
• Appropriate valuation of defined benefit pension scheme carried out which stands up to external audit scrutiny, as this is the largest value on the CAA Group’s balance sheet.
• Motivated team with clear pathways for development and opportunities for progression wherever possible.

About You

The job holder will be a qualified accountant with a proven track record in a dynamic commercial environment. The job holder will have extensive experience of managing service functions in a large business, as well as significant practical knowledge in dealing with all aspects of tax compliance.

Sound written and oral skills and a confident manner in dealing with people at the highest levels of seniority within the CAA and external organisations is essential.

Additional Information

For many appointments within the CAA, these roles require access to operationally sensitive infrastructure and/or Nationally Protected information. For these roles the post holders must undergo National Security Vetting and achieve the appropriate level of clearance.

To be vetted we will usually expect a reasonable period of residency in the UK so that meaningful checks can be undertaken. For this role this will need to be 5 years.

If you do not meet these requirements, we may not be able to accept your application.

For more information on SC clearance please visit - Vetting explained - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The CAA values high ethical standards and personal integrity among employees. If invited for interview you will be asked to complete a declaration of interest.

Inclusive Recruitment

We are passionate about diversity and ensuring all are included at the CAA. We are an equal opportunity employer and actively encourage applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We use fair and inclusive selection approaches to hire the best person for the job based on merit alone.

As a member of the Disability Confident scheme, applicants who meet the minimum criteria for a role with us will be guaranteed an interview. If you require an adjustment for any reason, please let us know.

Working With Us

We are on a journey towards being increasingly adaptable, where our colleagues collaborate as part of cross-functional teams. This approach ensures we never stop learning together. It also means that you may become involved in activities that take you out of your day-to-day role, providing you with opportunities to develop and grow your career with us.

We have embraced hybrid working and offer flexible working patterns, being open to having a conversation about what works for you. We know where and when we work is important in achieving a work-life balance.

We offer a range of excellent benefits such as flexible working arrangements, free onsite gym at Gatwick, discounted gym membership for London, 28 days annual leave, additional 5 days leave purchase scheme, a generous pension scheme and much more!

Our Values

Do The Right Thing, Never Stop Learning, Build Collaborative Relationships, Respect Everyone – For more information please Click Here

Closing Date: Friday 3rd January 2025

Interview Date: W/C Monday 20th January 2025

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive sufficient applications for the role. Therefore, if you are interested, please submit your application as early as possible.

No recruitment agencies please.