Financial Controller

Financial Controller Team: Operations Location: Glasgow Remote Status: Hybrid or Remote Employment Type: Full-Time Apply Email work@thirstcraft.com with your CV and covering letter please.  In your cover letter, please include why you believe you are the right person for this role, as well as your salary expectations and current notice period. We would also appreciate you answering the following questions in the covering letter: 1 – Tell us about a time you implemented financial reporting or analysis that directly influenced leadership decisions. What was the impact? 2 – If we asked you to give us live visibility on client and project profitability, how would you approach it? 3 – What role should finance play in a creative agency that wants to scale internationally? How would you see yourself contributing? Download job description pdf We have big ambitions as an agency. Our vision is to be the best specialist drinks agency in the world and to get there, we need financial clarity and commercial insight at the heart of our business. We’re looking for a Financial Controller (Hybrid role) to own the finance function end-to-end. This role blends hands-on financial control with commercial partnering: you’ll ensure our finances are rock solid, reporting is accurate and insightful, and leadership has the data needed to make bold, confident decisions. You’ll report directly to the Operations Director, working closely with the senior team as a trusted partner. This is a rare chance to step beyond “back-office finance” and play a pivotal role in shaping the future of a creative agency with global ambitions. Key Characteristics Commercial mindset Highly organised Collaborative Flawless attention to detail Effective communicator​ Financial Control & Reporting Own the financial foundations of the business. Lead month-end and produce accurate, timely management accounts across the P&L, balance sheet and cashflow Own revenue and cost recognition, WIP, accruals, deferrals and reconciliations Ensure bookkeeping, AP, AR, payroll and expenses are accurate and completed on time Coordinate statutory accounts and tax compliance, ensuring all deadlines are met and working effectively with external advisers Maintain clear, proportionate financial controls and documented processes​ The numbers are accurate, timely and reliable. Cashflow, Working Capital & Compliance Keep cash visible and under control. Maintain rolling cashflow and working-capital forecasts Drive timely invoicing and active debt collection Manage payment schedules, banking and day-to-day multi-entity and foreign-currency requirements Maintain visibility and control of supplier commitments, overheads, subscriptions, insurance renewals and upcoming obligations Identify cash and working-capital risks early and recommend action. Cash is managed proactively, with no avoidable surprises. Project & Commercial Finance Protect project margin through strong financial visibility and discipline. Partner with Operations, Client Services, Production and discipline leads to ensure project finances are actively managed from setup to close Maintain clear visibility of project budgets, fee burn, WIP, external costs, margin and forecast-to-complete Identify overruns, unbilled revenue, write-offs and margin risks early, agreeing corrective action with teams Improve discipline around timesheets, purchase orders, scope changes, billing milestones and project closure Support pricing, scoping and resourcing decisions with clear financial analysis Build commercial understanding and accountability across project teams Projects are commercially controlled and margin is protected from start to finish. Planning, Forecasting & Insight Give leadership a clear view of performance and what comes next. Lead the annual budget and rolling forecast process with strategic input provided from the Leadership Team Connect pipeline, revenue, resourcing, overheads and cash into one reliable business forecast Turn monthly results into concise performance reporting across revenue, gross margin, project profitability, utilisation, overheads and cash, with clear variance analysis and recommended actions Build practical financial models for hiring, investment and growth decisions Partner with the Operations Director to improve financial and project data, systems and reporting Translate the numbers into clear insight, challenge assumptions constructively and help leadership act earlier Leadership understands what is happening, what is likely to happen next and where action is needed. How You'll Work You will act as a trusted, practical partner across the business, working closely with: Operations Director — on day-to-day priorities, forecasting, business performance, systems and processes CEO and Senior Leadership Team — on monthly reporting, business outlook and key decisions Client Services, Production and discipline leads — on project budgets, resourcing, billing and margin External partners and advisers — including accountants, tax specialists, payroll providers, banks and insurers You will move comfortably between the detail and the bigger picture, taking ownership, communicating clearly and solving problems at pace. Success In This Role Means The finance function runs accurately, efficiently and with strong, proportionate controls Leadership has a reliable forward view of revenue, profit, cash and risk Project performance, WIP and margin risks are visible early and actively managed Working capital is controlled through timely invoicing, collections and cash management Systems, reporting and processes support the business as it grows Finance is seen as a responsive, commercially useful partner that improves decision-making across the business ​ KPIs Accurate and timely month-end reporting Reliable three-to-six-month financial and cashflow visibility Forecast accuracy and clear variance reporting Timely invoicing and control of overdue debt Clear visibility and active management of project margin, WIP and write-offs Delivery of all tax, payroll and statutory requirements Apply Email work@thirstcraft.com with your CV and include why you think you are the right person for this role, as well as your salary expectations and current notice period.