Financial Management & Comptroller

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Ensure statutory accounts are approved and filed within the required deadlines.

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.

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.

Liaise with external legal and company secretarial advisers on more complex corporate matters.

Cap table and equity administration

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.

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.

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.

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.

Provide timely reporting to the COO and senior management on liquidity, cash runway and expected funding requirements.

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.

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

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.

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.

Experience working in a cybersecurity, software, technology or venture‑backed business.

Experience maintaining company statutory registers and completing Companies House filings.

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.

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.

Able to challenge constructively and communicate financial matters clearly.

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.

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.

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