Senior Financial Controller

About Venari Security Venari Security Limited is a UK cybersecurity technology company focused on cryptographic visibility and post-quantum security readiness. Its technology helps organisations identify and manage encryption-related risks across cloud, on-premises and containerised environments. Role purpose The Senior Financial Controller will have overall responsibility for the integrity, accuracy and timely delivery of Venari Security's financial information. Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer, the role will provide hands-on ownership of the company's accounting records, management reporting, statutory compliance, payroll, taxation, company secretarial matters and cap table administration. The successful candidate will oversee the external bookkeeping provider and coordinate effectively with auditors, tax advisers, legal advisers, payroll providers and other professional service firms. This is a broad, commercially focused position suited to an experienced financial controller who is comfortable operating independently within a growing technology business. Key responsibilities Financial control and reporting Take overall ownership of the company's financial records and reported financial results. Maintain an effective financial control environment appropriate for a growing technology company. Lead the monthly, quarterly and annual financial close processes. Prepare accurate monthly management accounts, including the income statement, balance sheet, cash flow statement and supporting analysis. Prepare and review balance sheet reconciliations, ensuring that reconciling items are investigated and resolved promptly. Maintain the general ledger and ensure transactions are recorded accurately and consistently. Monitor expenditure against budgets and provide clear explanations of material variances. Produce financial information and analysis for the COO, Chief Executive Officer, Board and investors. Maintain appropriate accounting policies, procedures and financial controls. Support budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management and financial planning activities. Xero ownership Act as the principal owner and administrator of the company's Xero accounting system. Maintain the chart of accounts, tracking categories, user permissions and financial reporting structure. Ensure that bank accounts, payroll records, supplier balances, customer balances and other control accounts are reconciled regularly. Review the quality and accuracy of transactions processed by the external bookkeeping provider. Ensure that supporting documentation is retained and attached appropriately within Xero or the company's document management system. Develop efficient and scalable accounting processes, including suitable integrations with payroll, banking, expense and reporting systems. Oversight of outsourced bookkeeping Manage the relationship with the company's external bookkeeping provider. Establish clear monthly timetables, responsibilities and service standards. Review bookkeeping output for accuracy, completeness and compliance with the company's accounting policies. Ensure supplier invoices, expenses, bank transactions, accruals, prepayments and journals are processed correctly. Resolve technical accounting or transaction-processing issues escalated by the bookkeeping team. Review supplier payment runs before they are submitted for approval. Ensure appropriate segregation of duties is maintained between transaction preparation, review and payment approval. Statutory financial statements Lead the preparation of the company's annual statutory financial statements in accordance with applicable UK accounting standards and the Companies Act 2006. Prepare or coordinate year-end accounting schedules and supporting audit documentation. Manage the relationship with the company's independent accountants. Act as the principal finance contact during any year-end audit or accounts preparation process. Respond to queries and ensure agreed adjustments and recommendations are implemented. Ensure statutory accounts are approved and filed within the required deadlines. Taxation Prepare or oversee the preparation of corporation tax computations and supporting schedules. Coordinate the preparation and submission of corporation tax returns with the company's tax advisers. Maintain appropriate tax accounting records, including current and deferred tax calculations where applicable. Manage VAT compliance, including the preparation or review of VAT returns and reconciliation of VAT control accounts. Ensure compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, benefits reporting and other employment-related tax obligations. Support the preparation of research and development tax relief claims where applicable. Monitor tax payment and filing deadlines and ensure all liabilities are settled when due. Liaise with HM Revenue & Customs and external tax advisers as required. Payroll Take ownership of the end-to-end payroll control process. Manage the relationship with the external payroll provider. Review monthly payroll reports, employee changes, bonuses, deductions, pension contributions and statutory payments. Reconcile payroll reports to Xero, bank payments and payroll control accounts. Ensure payroll is approved and paid accurately and on time. Oversee compliance with PAYE, National Insurance, pension auto-enrolment and year-end payroll reporting requirements. Support the preparation of P11D forms, PAYE Settlement Agreements and other employee tax reporting where required. Work closely with management and human resources advisers on starters, leavers and changes to remuneration. Company secretarial and statutory compliance Coordinate the company secretarial activities of Venari Security Limited. Maintain the company's statutory registers, including registers of directors, shareholders and persons with significant control. Prepare and submit confirmation statements and other routine Companies House filings. Coordinate the preparation and filing of director appointments, resignations, changes of details and registered office updates. Maintain records of Board and shareholder resolutions. Support the preparation of Board meeting papers, minutes and corporate approvals. Monitor statutory filing deadlines and ensure the company remains in good standing. Liaise with external legal and company secretarial advisers on more complex corporate matters. Cap table and equity administration Maintain an accurate and fully reconciled company capitalisation table. Reconcile the cap table to Companies House filings, statutory registers, share certificates and accounting records. Record share issues, transfers, option grants, conversions and other equity transactions. Maintain supporting documentation for share allotments and shareholder approvals. Support the administration of employee share option schemes. Coordinate with legal advisers, investors and equity administration platforms where applicable. Prepare cap table analysis and ownership information for the Board, investors, auditors and advisers. Support future fundraising, due diligence and corporate transactions. Contract review and commercial support Review customer, supplier, employment and other commercial contracts from a financial and commercial perspective. Assess proposed contracts for pricing, payment terms, revenue recognition, cash flow, taxation, foreign exchange and financial risk implications. Identify unusual or onerous financial terms and elevate matters to the COO, senior management or legal advisers. Ensure material contracts are reflected appropriately in budgets, forecasts and accounting records. Maintain a central contract register showing key commercial terms, renewal dates and financial commitments. Support commercial negotiations by providing financial analysis and advice. Monitor compliance with contractual invoicing and payment requirements. Treasury and cash management Maintain accurate short‑and‑medium‑term cash flow forecasts. Monitor cash balances, customer receipts, supplier payments and funding requirements. Manage banking relationships and online banking access. Prepare or review payment runs and ensure appropriate authorisation procedures are followed. Monitor foreign currency exposures and recommend appropriate actions where relevant. Provide timely reporting to the COO and senior management on liquidity, cash runway and expected funding requirements. Governance, processes and systems Develop proportionate financial policies, procedures and controls. Document key finance processes and maintain an appropriate finance calendar. Improve the efficiency and scalability of the finance function. Support the implementation of new finance systems and reporting tools as the company grows. Ensure financial records and confidential information are maintained securely. Support investor due diligence, fundraising activities and other strategic projects. Provide financial guidance to budget holders and members of the senior management team. Key relationships Chief Operating Officer Chief Executive Officer and Board Senior management and departmental budget holders External bookkeeping provider Payroll providers External auditors or accountants Corporation tax and research and development tax advisers Legal and company secretarial advisers Banks and payment providers Existing and prospective investors Experience and qualifications Essential Qualified accountant, such as ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent. Significant post‑qualification experience in a financial controller or senior finance role. Strong practical knowledge of UK statutory accounting and financial reporting requirements. Extensive hands‑on experience using Xero. Experience preparing or overseeing monthly management accounts and annual statutory financial statements. Experience managing corporation tax, VAT and payroll compliance. Experience overseeing an outsourced bookkeeping or accounting provider. Strong balance sheet control and reconciliation experience. Ability to manage multiple statutory, tax and reporting deadlines. Strong Excel and financial modelling skills. Excellent attention to detail and a high degree of professional integrity. Desirable Experience working in a cybersecurity, software, technology or venture‑backed business. Experience maintaining company statutory registers and completing Companies House filings. Experience managing complex cap tables, share issues and employee option schemes. Experience supporting fundraising rounds, investor reporting or financial due diligence. Knowledge of accounting for research and development expenditure, share‑based payments, convertible instruments or other technology‑company transactions. Experience reviewing commercial contracts and advising on their financial implications. Familiarity with research and development tax relief claims. Experience working within a small, rapidly developing or internationally focused business. Skills and attributes Hands‑on and willing to take direct ownership of both detailed and strategic finance matters. Highly organised, with the ability to establish structure and discipline in a developing finance function. Commercially aware and able to identify the financial implications of business decisions. Confident working independently and advising the COO and senior management. Able to challenge constructively and communicate financial matters clearly. Comfortable managing external advisers and service providers. Proactive in identifying risks, control weaknesses and opportunities for improvement. Discreet and capable of handling confidential financial, payroll and shareholder information. Adaptable and comfortable working in a growing technology company where responsibilities may evolve. Measures of success Accurate and timely monthly financial reporting. A well‑controlled and fully reconciled Xero ledger. Reliable cash flow and financial forecasts. Statutory accounts, tax returns, payroll filings and Companies House submissions completed on time. An accurate cap table that reconciles to statutory and legal records. Effective oversight of the external bookkeeping provider. Clear documentation of financial processes and controls. Improved visibility of financial performance, cash runway and commercial commitments. A finance function that is appropriately prepared for audit (when required), investment and future growth. #J-18808-Ljbffr