Financial Controller – Colworth Operations & Financial Controls

Life tastes better with ice cream

With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry.
 
We create iconic ice cream brands that are part of everyday life, bringing moments of joy to millions of people around the world. Everybody loves ice cream. And as the world’s biggest pure‑play ice cream company, we have the scale and ambition to make a real difference. 

What truly sets us apart is how we work. 

We move fast and keep things simple. We turn ideas into action, trust people to take ownership, and work as one team to win together with integrity. Our culture is high‑performance, collaborative and focused on getting things done. 

We’re curious and ready for what’s next. We embrace digital, use data to make better decisions, and keep learning, including how AI can help us work smarter and serve consumers better.  

Job Title : Finance Controller

Scope : Financial Controller - Colworth operations & Financial Controls

Location : Kingston and Colworth campus including Flexible working

Life tastes better with ice cream.

With 19.000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry. We create iconic ice cream brands that are part of everyday life, bringing moments of joy to millions of people around the world. Everybody loves ice cream. And as the world’s biggest pure-play ice cream company, we have the scale and ambition to make a real difference.  What truly sets us apart is how we work.  We move fast and keep things simple. We turn ideas into action, trust people to take ownership, and work as one team to win together with integrity. Our culture is high-performance, collaborative and focused on getting things done.  We’re curious and ready for what’s next. We embrace digital, use data to make better decisions, and keep learning, including how AI can help us work smarter and serve consumers better. 

The role:

This role provides financial control support for the Colworth operation while helping maintain a strong and compliant financial control environment across the business.

The Financial Controller will be responsible for delivering core accounting and controlling activities, supporting business and operational stakeholders, and coordinating the execution of the company's financial control framework. The role plays an important part in ensuring controls are performed consistently, documented appropriately, and supported by clear evidence to meet internal and external audit requirements.

In addition, the role will provide cover and support for selected balance sheet control activities, helping ensure continuity of key financial processes during periods of absence or peak workload.

What will you be responsible for :

Financial Controlling & Accounting

Lead and support a range of day-to-day and month-end financial controlling activities, including:

· Preparation and submission of journals and month-end accounting entries.

· Management of accruals and support for period-end close activities.

· Maintenance of cross-charge information and allocations.

· Resolution of finance and accounting queries from stakeholders.

· Production of reports and analysis to support business decision-making.

· Support for purchase order creation, invoice management and payment-related queries.

· Assistance to Finance Business Partners and site operational teams with budgeting and financial administration activities.

Fixed Asset Management

· Manage fixed asset requests, additions, transfers and disposals.

· Support capital expenditure (Capex) approvals and tracking.

· Ensure assets are appropriately capitalised and recorded.

· Maintain fixed asset records and asset tagging processes.

· Perform periodic asset verification activities.

· Support lease accounting and fixed asset reporting requirements.

Operational Finance Support

· Support site operations with routine finance processes and controls.

· Coordinate sundry and intercompany invoicing activities.

· Manage finance administration requests and queries.

· Support banking, reporting and reconciliations as required.

· Act as a key point of contact between operational teams and Finance.

Financial Controls & Audit Readiness

· Coordinate activities required to support the company's financial control framework.

· Work with control owners to ensure controls are completed on time and supported by appropriate documentation.

· Review the quality and completeness of control evidence before submission.

· Maintain accurate records of control activities and supporting documentation.

· Coordinate submissions within Audit Board and other governance tools, ensuring deadlines are met.

· Track outstanding actions, control deficiencies and remediation plans through to completion.

· Support internal and external audit requests, ensuring information is provided accurately and on time.

· Help embed a strong controls culture by providing guidance and coaching on documentation and evidence expectations.

· Drive continuous improvement in financial governance, compliance and control effectiveness.

Balance Sheet Control Support (Cover Responsibilities)

Provide back-up support for key balance sheet control activities, including:

· Reviewing pricing and promotional changes to ensure appropriate supporting documentation is available.

· Supporting rebate and commercial accrual reviews.

· Assisting with periodic balance sheet reviews and reconciliations.

· Supporting claims management processes and ensuring appropriate approvals and documentation are maintained.

· Monitoring aged balances and helping coordinate timely resolution of outstanding items.

· Maintaining governance over pricing files and discount structures where required.

Key Metrics / KPIs

· Accurate and timely balance sheet reconciliations and reviews.

· Effective management of aged balances and claims resolution.

· Strong compliance with the Magnum Financial Control Framework.

· Robust audit evidence and documentation supporting all key controls.

· Successful embedding and stabilisation of new claims management tools and processes.

· Accurate maintenance and governance of price files, discounts, and rebate programmes.

· Positive audit outcomes with minimal control deficiencies.

· Strong partnership with Retail and Out of Home commercial teams.

What you need to succeed :

Required Skills & Experience

· Experience in a Financial Controller, Management Accountant, Financial Accounting, Controlling or Audit role.

· Strong understanding of month-end close processes, journal preparation, accruals, reconciliations and financial reporting.

· Experience managing and improving financial controls within a corporate environment.

· Experience supporting internal and external audits, including preparing audit evidence and responding to auditor requests.

· Experience working with fixed assets, capital expenditure accounting and balance sheet reconciliations.

· Ability to manage multiple priorities and deliver to tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.

· Experience partnering with operational and non-finance stakeholders to resolve issues and improve processes.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with excellent attention to detail.

Desirable Experience

· Experience within FMCG, manufacturing, supply chain or shared service environments.

· Experience supporting governance, risk and compliance frameworks.

· Knowledge of pricing, rebates, promotional accounting or claims management processes.

Technical Skills

· Strong understanding of financial accounting principles and internal controls.

· Ability to analyse financial data and identify risks, trends and improvement opportunities.

· Proficiency in SAP or similar ERP systems.

· Ability to prepare clear and accurate financial documentation and supporting audit evidence.

Qualifications

· Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) preferred.

· Part-qualified candidates with relevant financial controlling or audit experience will also be considered.

· Bachelor’s degree in accounting, Finance, Business or a related discipline desirable

What you'll get

Alongside meaningful work and strong development, we offer a reward package that typically includes

• Market-competitive pay and performance related rewards • Flexible ways of working

• Support for health, wellbeing and life outside of work

• Time off to rest and recharge

• Ongoing learning and development opportunities  

• Specific benefits vary by location

Why join us?

This is a place for people who are passionate about ice cream and are growth obsessed - both for the business and for themselves. People who act like an owner and drive our business end-to-end. People who are driven by success to deliver more than we ever thought we could!  

You’ll thrive here if you value an inclusive culture, with low ego and hierarchy - and if you’re excited to continuously learn and challenge how we work, using digital, data, and new thinking to push us forward.

• Roles with real accountability and visible impact

• Free to move fast, experiment and challenge how things are done

• Continuous learning and development as the business grows

• Reward linked to performance and contribution.

Your career here is shaped by what you deliver, as you work across functions and markets and grow with the business.

Ready to build the future of Ice Cream?

If this sounds like the place where you'd thrive, we'd love to hear from you. Apply online and share your CV. We'll review your application and be in touch with the next steps.  

If you are an individual with a disability and require assistance at any time during our recruitment process, please let your Talent Acquisition Partner know.

Additional information

The Magnum Ice Cream Company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can do their best work regardless of age, disability, gender identity, race, religion, sexual orientation, or any other protected characteristic.    

#TMICC

Why join us?

This is a place for people who are passionate about ice cream and are growth obsessed - both for the business and for themselves. People who act like an owner and drive our business end-to-end. People who are driven by success to deliver more than we ever thought we could! 

You’ll thrive here if you value an inclusive culture, with low ego and hierarchy - and if you’re excited to continuously learn and challenge how we work, using digital, data, and new thinking to push us forward.

- Roles with real accountability and visible impact
- Free to move fast, experiment and challenge how things are done
- Continuous learning and development as the business grows
- Reward linked to performance and contribution.

Your career here is shaped by what you deliver, as you work across functions and markets and grow with the business.