Harper May is partnering with a long-established, London-based membership organisation with over a century of heritage, headquartered in Mayfair.

The organisation operates across membership services, national events, publications, education, and charitable activity, with a diverse revenue base and complex reporting requirements across trading and non-trading activities.

With continued growth in commercial activity and ongoing investment in the finance function, the leadership team is now appointing a Financial Controller to take ownership of financial reporting and controls, and partner closely with senior leaders across the organisation.

The Role
Reporting to the senior finance leadership, the Financial Controller will own the day-to-day running of the finance function, lead a small in-house team, and take responsibility for month-end, statutory reporting, and financial controls across the group.

The role suits a technically strong, hands-on accountant who is comfortable balancing operational delivery with process improvement in a mature, well-structured environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close and produce timely, accurate management accounts and board reporting
• Lead the year-end audit process and prepare statutory financial statements across group entities
• Manage VAT, corporation tax, and other compliance filings, including any specific requirements around charitable and trading activities
• Strengthen financial controls, systems, and reporting discipline across the organisation
• Partner with senior leadership on budgeting, forecasting, and financial planning
• Manage and develop the in-house finance team across ledgers, payroll oversight, and reporting
• Support ongoing systems and process improvement projects across the finance function

What we are looking for

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
• Strong technical accounting foundation and prior experience in a Financial Controller or senior Finance Manager role
• Experience in a membership, charity, professional body, or similarly complex multi-activity organisation is a plus
• Confident owning month-end, statutory reporting, and the audit relationship
• Hands-on and organised, comfortable leading a small team and improving process along the way
• Based within a sensible commute of central London, with on-site presence expected