About Us

At Travel Counsellors, we empower people to run their own travel businesses while delivering exceptional, personal service to customers around the world. With a global presence and industry-leading technology, we combine the warmth of human connection with innovative digital tools to create outstanding travel experiences.

As we continue to grow, we are looking for an experienced and commercially minded UK Financial Controller to join our Senior Leadership community and play a pivotal role in driving financial integrity, performance, and strategic insight across the UK business.

The Role

The UK Financial Controller is a key leadership position responsible for overseeing UK financial control, management accounting, group reporting, and statutory compliance.

This is a hands-on and highly visible role, working closely with senior stakeholders to provide clear financial insight, ensure robust controls, and support strategic decision-making. You will lead the UK Management Accounts team and play a critical role in maintaining the financial health and governance of the business.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Leadership & Business Partnering

• Provide detailed financial analysis and performance insights to senior leadership.

• Partner with budget holders and the FP&A team to review gross margin, overheads, and cost performance against budget and forecast.

• Support the preparation of budgets and rolling forecasts across operating and capital expenditure.

• Act as a trusted advisor to the senior management team, translating financial data into clear commercial recommendations.

Accounting & Financial Control

• Own financial control across all K trading entities and holding companies.

• Lead the month-end reporting cycle, ensuring timely, accurate reporting and strong cut-off procedures.

• Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, journal controls, and supporting documentation.

• Manage Group consolidations, including intercompany eliminations, acquisition accounting, and impairment reviews.

• Ensure accurate cost allocation and adherence to IFRS, including capital expenditure and staff capitalisation.

• Maintain and strengthen internal controls to mitigate financial risk.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Deliver accurate and timely monthly management accounts, including reporting to investors, banks, and regulators.

• Lead the annual external Group audit and preparation of UK statutory accounts.

• Oversee UK tax compliance (Corporation Tax, VAT, TOMS, R&D, PSA).

• Ensure regulatory submissions (including ATOL and IATA) are accurate and timely.

• Support the coordination of the Group’s insurance programme and annual renewals.

Team Leadership & Continuous Improvement

• Lead, mentor, and develop the UK finance team, fostering a high-performance culture.

• Drive automation and continuous improvement across reporting processes and systems (including D365/SAP).

• Promote strong governance, accountability, and collaboration across departments.

 About You

We are looking for a strategic, detail-oriented finance leader who combines technical excellence with strong commercial acumen.

Essential

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent).

• Substantial post-qualification experience.

• Proven experience in a senior financial leadership role, ideally within an international group.

• Strong technical knowledge of UK GAAP and IFRS.

• Experience leading external audits and managing financial reporting.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.

• Strong leadership capability with experience developing high-performing teams.

Desirable

• Experience within the travel industry.

• Experience in a high-growth or high-volume environment.

• Familiarity with regulatory bodies and tax regulations relevant to travel.

Why Join Travel Counsellors?

This role offers the opportunity to make a significant impact at a growing, global organisation. As UK Financial Controller, you will play a critical role in safeguarding the business, enabling strategic decisions, and ensuring financial and regulatory excellence.

You will join a collaborative, purpose-driven organisation where innovation, customer focus, and people development are at the heart of what we do.

If you are a commercially minded finance leader ready to take on a high-impact role within a dynamic and values-driven organisation, we would love to hear from you.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary + annual bonus

• Flexible hybrid working

• Career development opportunities

• 25 days holiday (increasing to 28 after 5 years)

• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity pay

• 1 day paid charity day

• Company events and incentives

• 3x salary death in service benefit

• Pension scheme

• Private Medical Insurance or Healthcare Cash Plan

• Free breakfast and beverages

Inclusive Recruitment at Travel Counsellors

Travel Counsellors is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or any protected characteristic. We provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process and will make every effort to accommodate reasonable adjustments where required. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team and encourage all to apply.

For more information about this role – and others – at Travel Counsellors, please do not hesitate to contact the Talent Acquisition team at talentacquisition@travelcounsellors.com