Finance Manager – Financial Control reference: 146641

This review provides an in-depth look at the Finance Manager – Financial Control (12-Month FTC) opportunity at Lloyds Banking Group, aiming to equip potential candidates with key insights for their career journey.

About the Role: A Foundation in Financial Control

This 12-month fixed-term contract presents a significant opportunity to contribute to the robust financial control framework within Lloyds Banking Group's Commercial Banking division. As a Finance Manager within Group Finance Support (GFS), you will play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and integrity of financial data. This position demands a proactive approach, strong leadership, and a keen eye for detail, particularly during the critical month-end close process.

Key Responsibilities and Skills:

• Team Leadership: You will have the rewarding experience of leading, coaching, and developing a team of finance professionals, fostering their growth and ensuring collective success.
• Month-End Management: Owning the month-end process, you'll be responsible for meeting all deadlines and ensuring the timely and accurate completion of financial control activities.
• Stakeholder Engagement: This role involves extensive collaboration with a diverse range of internal teams, including finance business partners, operational departments, company secretarial, and external auditors. Excellent communication and influencing skills will be paramount.
• Control Ownership: Taking accountability for control issues and balance sheet breaks, you will drive the development and implementation of remediation plans.
• Process Improvement: A proactive mindset is essential. You'll be encouraged to challenge existing processes, champion continuous improvement, and explore opportunities for automation and innovation.
• Oversight and Escalation: Reviewing the work of junior colleagues and escalating issues appropriately to management will be a key aspect of ensuring accuracy and efficiency.

Advantages for Potential Candidates:

• Career Development: This role offers a fantastic platform for a qualified accountant to hone their financial control and reporting skills within a large, reputable financial institution. The leadership experience gained will be invaluable for future career progression.
• Exposure to a Large-Scale Operation: Working within Group Finance Support provides exposure to the complexities and scale of a major UK bank, offering insights into how financial services operate at a national level.
• Emphasis on Continuous Improvement: The opportunity to challenge processes and drive innovation aligns well with ambitious professionals looking to make a tangible impact and shape best practices.
• Flexible Working: Lloyds Banking Group is committed to supporting its employees with flexible working options, including hybrid working and job sharing, promoting a healthy work-life balance.
• Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: The organisation demonstrates a strong commitment to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone can thrive. This is evidenced by their proactive initiatives and policies aimed at supporting diversity across various dimensions.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Candidates can expect a competitive remuneration package that includes a generous pension contribution, annual performance-related bonus, share schemes, discounted shopping, substantial holiday allowance, and extensive wellbeing initiatives.

Key Considerations for Candidates:

• Fixed-Term Contract: This is a 12-month fixed-term contract. Candidates should consider how this aligns with their long-term career goals.
• Time-Pressured Environment: The role requires a delivery-focused individual who thrives in a time-pressured environment, particularly around month-end.
• Qualified Accountant Requirement: A qualified accountant (e.g., ACA, ACCA, CIMA) is a prerequisite for this role, ideally with proven experience in financial control and reporting.
• Hybrid Working Model: While flexible, the hybrid working model requires a minimum of two days per week in the Edinburgh office.

In conclusion, this Finance Manager position at Lloyds Banking Group is a compelling opportunity for a driven and qualified accountant seeking to make a significant contribution to financial control within a leading financial services provider. The role offers substantial professional development, exposure to complex operations, and the chance to work within a supportive and inclusive environment. Candidates who are adept at leadership, possess strong analytical skills, and are passionate about financial integrity will find this role particularly rewarding.