MERJE is seeking a Finance Risk & Controls Lead, for a leading organisation within the financial services sector. This technical role requires an experienced professional to support the identification, assessment, and strengthening of financial reporting risks and controls across the finance function. The position offers an excellent opportunity to work closely with senior stakeholders and drive meaningful improvements in control effectiveness.


Salary - c£60–70k + bonus
Location - Edinburgh / Birmingham
Hybrid - 2 days in the office per week


The Role
The Finance Risk & Controls Lead, position focuses on supporting Finance teams in identifying, documenting, and improving financial reporting risks and controls. Acting as a trusted advisor, this role provides independent challenge and guidance to ensure controls are well designed, effective, and sustainable. You will work across end-to-end finance processes, contributing to a strong and consistent control framework without directly owning or operating controls.
Key Responsibilities of the Finance Risk & Controls Lead:
*Support Line 1 teams in identifying, articulating, and documenting financial reporting risks and controls across close, consolidation, accounting judgements, and disclosures.
*Provide expert challenge on control design, ensuring alignment to underlying accounting risks
*Lead and coordinate first line control testing, assessing both design and operating effectiveness
*Drive improvements in control evidence, ensuring consistency, quality, and sustainability
*Identify themes, systemic issues, and emerging risks, supporting root cause remediation
*Contribute to governance forums, presenting clear insights on control effectiveness and risk exposure
*Act as a key stakeholder for assurance activity, providing subject matter expertise and constructive challenge
Required knowledge and experience for the Finance Risk & Controls Lead role:
*Strong background in financial reporting, accounting, audit, or finance risk & controls
*Proven experience assessing and improving financial controls within a finance function
*Experience in financial services, ideally insurance or banking
*Strong understanding of end-to-end finance processes and associated risks
*Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities effectively
*Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the confidence to influence and challenge senior leaders
*Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
*Professional accounting qualification (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent experience preferred
If you possess the technical expertise and experience required for the Finance Risk & Controls Lead position and are seeking an opportunity to make a significant impact within financial services, MERJE would be delighted to hear from you. Please apply today to take the next step in your career.
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Applicants must be located and eligible to work in the UK without sponsorship.
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