Director - Financial Controller (m|f|x) London

HSBC Innovation Banking is the driving force behind the UK’s forward-thinkers, future-makers, and trailblazers, helping them bring bold ideas to life that reshape our world. We offer flexible banking solutions for startups, scale-ups, growth businesses, investors, and those working toward an IPO—typically within the technology and life sciences sectors.

Whether it’s comprehensive banking, cash flow management, plans for buyouts, or Strategic Fund Solutions, we power ideas at every stage of their journey. From first-time founders to the funds that back them—and everything in between. We’re proud to accelerate growth for our clients, create meaningful connections and communities, and open up a world of global opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors alike.

The Financial Controller at HSBC Innovation Bank aims to serve as a strategic partner and trusted advisor in achieving HSBC Innovation Banking’s (HINV) overarching mission to increase our clients’ probability of success. The role holder will be responsible for HSBC Innovation Bank’s financial and regulatory reporting, management information, and tax reporting, and will oversee non-financial risk management for the finance function.

We are looking to hire a talented controller with extensive experience working in a UK subsidiary and a proven track record of implementing and overseeing a robust accounting, regulatory, and control function. The individual is expected to join the Audit Committee to present on key topics related to reporting and controls.

The role will report to the CFO of HSBC Innovation Bank and sit on the Management Committee of the HSBC UK Financial Controller. The role holder will be responsible for and oversee accounting, financial, and regulatory reporting and control activities, including tax reporting. We intend to leverage global tools, teams, processes, and systems, and the role holder will play a leadership role in both the HINV Finance and HSBC UK Controllership teams.

Our home office is located at Finsbury Square in London. We offer hybrid work arrangements to our employees, allowing you to alternate between working from home and the office, with a current requirement to be in the office two days per week.

Tasks

The successful candidate will oversee and/or play a key role in:

• Financial Control & Governance - Ensure adequate financial reporting controls and governance are embedded across the business to drive financial reporting integrity. This will include oversight of loan, deposit, and fee booking and accounting, investment and treasury activities, and liaising with the SOX team, internal audit, and external auditors regarding second- and third-line-of-defense testing
• Accounting - Define and manage IFRS accounting to ensure financial reporting integrity and timely closings and filings. This includes overseeing accounting operations, the closing process and associated controls, as well as ledger maintenance and integrity. Lead the local process and approvals related to loan loss accounting; support the HSBC UK team with closings and consolidation; and provide technical accounting support for new structures, products, or projects
• Management Information Reporting – Coordinate and consolidate monthly and quarterly financial performance reports and presentations, including variance analysis to support the close for senior management, the board, and regulators
• Regulatory reporting – Oversee and lead the team responsible for regulatory reporting, and review and sign off on the filings
• Statutory Reporting and Audit – Manage the preparation of financial statements and the audit process.
• Tax Management and Compliance – Oversee and manage tax activities at HSBC Innovation Bank with the support of local and global tax professionals
• Finance Change – Contribute to and drive the local implementation of the global Finance Transformation initiative, covering systems and tools, processes, structure, and people, while continually seeking opportunities to enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and control. Also serve as the local finance subject matter expert (SME) for change projects
• Continuous Professional Development – Stay up to date on accounting, regulatory, and compliance developments and best practices, and educate the team and the business on these topics.
• Embrace technology and promote agile ways of working
• Attract, retain, and develop finance talent—coach and mentor colleagues to support them on their career journey
  

The individual will directly lead a small team of finance professionals based in the UK and India to meet HSBC’s accounting, control, financial and regulatory reporting, and tax requirements. This will involve building strong relationships with individuals at various levels and across multiple teams and time zones within a matrix management structure

Profile / Your qualification / Your personality

Proven Financial Controller who has played a leadership role within a bank subsidiary and has knowledge and experience across all accounting, regulatory, and control disciplines

• Experienced and skilled in managing external audits and working with audit committees
• Strong technical knowledge of IFRS accounting and UK financial services regulatory requirements
• Strong technical knowledge of Basel regulations
• Strong commercial leadership and people management skills
• Curious, with exceptional analytical and technical skills, capable of building and leading a world-class Controllership function across multiple locations
• A solid understanding of the UK commercial banking environment and product suite, along with the ability to quickly gain a thorough understanding of HINV’s banking operations and products
• Brilliant communication skills with the ability to build strong relationships, influence, engage, and explain both complex and simple concepts to senior and junior colleagues within the organization
• Resourceful, collaborative, and able to lead and support multiple projects across various areas in a fast-paced environment
• Audit experience and a Chartered Accountancy qualification or equivalent education
• Passionate about continuing to learn and improve

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Location

14–18 Finsbury Square, GB-EC2A 1BR London