Financial Controller

Lead financial excellence through insight, governance and strong leadership.

Joining us means becoming part of a forward-looking care organisation with a strong, long-term commitment to the success of every home. Supported by substantial, planned investment, we provide the resources and stability needed to deliver high-quality, sustainable care while nurturing thriving communities. This is a full-time, office-based role based at our Support Office in Darlington, working 40 hours per week and offering the opportunity to work closely with colleagues across the organisation to support homes nationwide.

Residents, families and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. We believe in using strong financial leadership, insight and collaboration to support effective decision-making and enable our homes to deliver outstanding outcomes.

As Financial Controller, you'll be a key operational finance leader, responsible for ensuring financial accuracy, robust controls and effective reporting across a large, multi-site care organisation. Combining technical expertise with strategic oversight, you'll provide the governance, insight and leadership needed to support sustainable performance and informed decision-making.

About the role

Reporting to the Chief Technology & Finance Officer, you'll oversee the core finance operations, including management reporting, treasury, accounts payable and income management. Leading a team of senior finance professionals, you'll ensure financial processes operate effectively, records are accurate and reporting is delivered to the highest standards.

You'll take ownership of the finance control environment, ensuring appropriate governance, documentation and assurance processes are in place. Working closely with senior stakeholders, you'll oversee internal controls, support audit activity and ensure financial reporting meets both regulatory and organisational requirements.

You'll lead the production and review of management accounts, budgets, forecasts and reporting packs, providing meaningful analysis on financial performance, occupancy, revenue, funding mix and cost drivers. You'll also support strategic decision-making by identifying opportunities, managing risks and providing clear financial insight to senior leaders.

With responsibility for statutory reporting and external audit management, you'll play a key role in maintaining financial integrity while supporting continuous improvement across the Finance function.

About you

You'll be an experienced finance leader and qualified accountant with a strong background in financial control, reporting and business partnering within a complex, multi-site organisation.

You'll combine technical accounting expertise with strong leadership skills, confidently managing teams, influencing senior stakeholders and ensuring high standards of financial governance. Commercially aware and analytical, you'll be comfortable turning complex financial information into clear insight that supports better decisions.

You'll thrive in a role that balances operational delivery with strategic thinking, bringing a structured, collaborative approach to improving processes, strengthening controls and supporting business performance.

What you'll bring

Essential

Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with significant post-qualification experience.

Extensive experience leading financial control, management reporting and finance operations within a complex organisation.

Strong technical accounting knowledge, including statutory reporting, audit management, budgeting and forecasting.

Experience leading and developing senior finance teams across multiple disciplines.

Strong understanding of internal controls, governance frameworks and financial risk management.

Experience producing meaningful financial analysis, including performance trends, revenue analysis and cost management insight.

Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leaders and communicate financial information clearly.

Desirable

Experience within healthcare, social care, hospitality or another multi-site operational environment.

Knowledge of care sector funding streams and associated accounting treatment.

Experience operating within a SOX Section 404 or similarly controlled reporting environment.

Experience supporting investor reporting requirements and complex Group reporting structures.

Additional information

This role is based at our Central Support Office in Darlington, with regular office attendance and occasional travel to care homes and regional offices.

An Enhanced DBS check and DVLA licence check are required for this role.

As with all colleagues, you'll be expected to comply with our policies relating to health and safety, infection prevention and control, safeguarding and all relevant regulatory requirements. From time to time, you may be asked to undertake other duties appropriate to the role, and the responsibilities outlined above may be reasonably reviewed and updated following consultation to reflect business needs. 

Application Closing Date:  12noon, Monday 10th August 2026