Interim Finance Control & Reconciliations Lead

Description:

Interim Finance Control & Reconciliations Lead

Location: Leeds - Onsite

Duration: 3-6 months (Interim)

Start Date: ASAP

Role Purpose

To provide short-term senior finance support to strengthen our clients finance control environment during a period of transition.

This role will focus on reviewing reconciliations, applying independent challenge, supporting the sign-off of key finance controls, and improving overall process discipline. A key objective will be ensuring finance outputs are accurate, well evidenced, and fully audit ready.

This is a senior, hands-on role requiring strong technical judgement, attention to detail, and the ability to operate with a high degree of independence.

Key Responsibilities of the Interim Finance Control & Reconciliations Lead:

1. Reconciliation Review & Sign-Off

Review daily, weekly and monthly reconciliations across key finance processes
Validate that all reconciling items are clearly understood, evidenced and appropriately followed up
Challenge unsupported balances, unexplained movements and aged items
Ensure reconciliations are complete, accurate, and ready for formal sign-off
Support the Finance Director with review and approval of key reconciliations where required
2. Financial Control & Audit readiness

Review and assess effectiveness of existing finance controls
Ensure supporting documentation is complete, accurate and audit-ready
Identify control gaps and recommend practical remediation actions
Support delivery of audit actions and ongoing remediation activity
Promote consistent application of controls across the finance function
3. Month-end & Reporting support

Support month-end close activity, including review of journals, accruals and balance sheet movements
Challenge variance analysis to ensure explanations are fully supported by data
Review management accounts / client reporting outputs prior to submission
Ensure all month-end deliverables are completed to agreed timelines and standards
4. Payments, Refunds & Exception processes

Review controls relating to payments, refunds, reversals, returned cheques and DDIC activity
Ensure exceptions are appropriately logged, evidenced and escalated
Assess adherence to SOPs and identify where clarification or improvement is required
Support strengthening of exception approval and governance processes
5. Process Improvement & Documentation

Document key finance processes, identifying gaps in ownership, control or evidence
Support development and enhancement of SOPs
Recommend improvements to reduce manual processes and strengthen control frameworks
Assist with workload mapping and process reallocation where required
6. Team Support & Capability uplift

Provide technical guidance and support to junior and part-qualified team members
Improve the standard and consistency of reconciliation preparation and review
Support clearer ownership, accountability and discipline across finance processes
Required Experience for the Interim Finance Control & Reconciliations Lead:

Essential:

Strong background in financial control and reconciliation review
Solid understanding of balance sheet controls and month-end close processes
Experience reviewing work prepared by others with the ability to provide constructive challenge
Strong Excel skills and ability to work with large and complex data sets
Experience working in an audit-focused or tightly controlled finance environment
Ability to identify control weaknesses and recommend practical improvements
Confident working independently and escalating issues appropriately
Strong attention to detail and ability to work to tight deadlines
Desirable:

Experience in payments, refunds, banking, reconciliations or operational finance
Exposure to public sector or high-volume transactional environments
Experience supporting audit remediation or control improvement projects
Click 'Apply Now' to take the next step in your career.

INDTTT