Group financial controller in Swansea

Group financial controller job description

The Group Financial Controller oversees multiple entities within a business, providing strategic oversight, leadership and consolidated financial reporting. According to the Robert Half Salary Guide, Group Financial Controllers are highly valued for their ability to manage complex accounting environments, regulatory requirements and strategic initiatives across various subsidiaries.

They ensure group-wide accuracy in financial statements, regulatory compliance and provide critical insights for strategic decision-making. As organisations grow through acquisitions and expansions, this role becomes essential for maintaining financial integrity and facilitating growth. Demand for Group Financial Controllers is particularly strong in business services, manufacturing and healthcare, where the ability to manage complexity and deliver reliable insights is key to supporting sustainable growth.

Key responsibilities

Oversee consolidated financial reporting and ensure compliance with UK GAAP, US GAAP or IFRS

Manage group budgeting, forecasting, and reporting cycles

Lead internal controls, risk management, and group audits

Develop and mentor finance teams across multiple locations or subsidiaries

Advise executive leadership on strategic financial decisions

Background and experience

ACA, ACCA or CIMA qualified

Proven experience in group consolidation and financial management

Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and communication skills

Proficient with consolidation and ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Hyperion, Microsoft Dynamics 365)

Previous roles: Financial Controller, Senior Finance Manager or Head of Finance

Team structure

Group Financial Controllers typically manage multiple finance teams and senior direct reports, such as:

Financial Controllers at subsidiary levels

Senior Management/Financial Accountants

Group AP/AR and payroll functions

Regional Finance Managers and Analysts

They often coordinate closely with local finance teams, ensuring alignment and consistency across the group.

What makes the role rewarding?

The Group Financial Controller role offers high responsibility, visibility and strategic impact:

Influence over business-wide strategy and performance

Visibility with senior executives and boards

Opportunity to lead and develop diverse finance teams

Strong earning potential with clear progression paths to Group CFO or executive leadership roles

Exposure to varied business environments through subsidiary management

Explore more about upcoming finance trends.

How industry affects the role

Group Financial Controller responsibilities vary significantly by sector:

Financial Services: Emphasis on complex regulatory compliance and risk management.

Technology: Managing rapid growth, investment rounds, and global scaling.

Manufacturing: Focus on consolidated inventory management, cost controls, and operational efficiencies.

Retail and FMCG: Group-level oversight of supply chains, margins, and multi-region performance.

Non-Profit and Education: Management of consolidated funding streams and reporting transparency.

Role differences by company size

Mid-sized groups: Direct oversight of fewer subsidiaries, hands-on consolidation tasks.

Large multinational groups: Strategic leadership with extensive delegation and cross-border coordination.

Sought-after benefits

Highly sought-after perks include:

Flexible working arrangements

Comprehensive parental leave

Wellness programs

Financial planning resources

International career opportunities

Executive coaching

These perks attract top talent in a competitive finance market.

Career progression

Typical career advancements include:

Group CFO

Executive Director

Chief Operating Officer (COO)

CEO (less common but viable with significant strategic experience)

Learn more about finance career progression.

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Salary for Group financial controller in Swansea

79750 - 112750

25th percentile

79750

The candidate has little or no prior experience in the position and is still developing relevant skills.

50th percentile

99000

The candidate has an average level of experience and has most of the necessary skills.

75th percentile

112750

The candidate has above-average experience, has most or all the necessary skills, and may have specialised qualifications.

Projected salaries for related positions

Position title

25th percentile

50th percentile

75th percentile

Chief Financial Officer - Financial Services

168000

211250

288000

Chief Financial Officer

144000

201500

264000

Group Finance Director

103000

127000

158500

Finance Director - Financial Services

95250

114500

144750

Finance Director

87500

106750

134750

Head of Finance

81500

103750

124750

Shared Service Centre Director

82000

108000

129750

Financial Controller - Financial Services

68000

86750

99500

Financial Controller

60000

67250

77500

Financial Planning & Analysis Director

81500

100750

115250

Fund Controller - Financial Services

68250

75250

89750

Senior Finance Business Partner

59500

70500

79750

Finance Business Partner - Financial Services

58500

69000

79250

Finance Business Partner

53500

58250

65000

Get projected 2027 starting salaries in 6 professional fields localised to 24 major cities across the UK.

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Your guide to negotiating salaries and offers

2027 UK Salary Guide Explore UK salaries, in-demand benefits and compensation strategies to confidently benchmark for new hires or prepare for salary discussions.

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The salary benchmarks in the UK Salary Guide From Robert Half are the result of a rigorous, multistep process designed to reflect projected market trends for 2027. They are based on actual compensation for professionals Robert Half has placed across the UK, along with 365k third-party job posting data from Textkernel that we use for independent validation.

Non-salary data referenced in the UK Salary Guide is based on online surveys developed by Robert Half and conducted by an independent research firm. Robert Half commissioned research amongst 1,500 respondents using an online data collection methodology. The respondents represent 500 hiring managers and 1,000 workers in finance and accounting, IT and technology, administrative and office support, marketing and creative, and legal. Respondents are drawn from a sample of small-to-midsized enterprises (20-249 employees), and large (250-plus employees) private, publicly listed and public sector organisations across the UK.