Financial Controller

Job summary

The role:

The Financial Controller role is critical role within the Finance Team for financial control and reporting, to ensure the organisation is compliant with Managing Public Money and overseeing the preparation and laying of the Annual Report and Accounts each year. They are responsible on a day to day basis for the smooth running all of all financial transactions and operations, ensuring sufficient cashflow, prompt payment of suppliers and receipt of income.

The Financial Controller plays a key role in ensuring the Gambling Commission has strong financial controls and robust financial accounting and reporting to ensure qualified accounts. Without robust financial and management accounting the GC would make sub-optimal decisions as well as potentially having qualified accounts with immense reputational damage.

Job description

Your responsibilities:

• Responsible for preparing the Gambling Commissions final accounts at 9 and 12 months for the external audit and being the key liaison with the external auditors throughout the process. They will also be responsible for Main and Supplementary Estimate submissions.
• Responsible for the day to day treasury management of the Gambling Commission, including returns to HMT, HMRC and other key stakeholders as required.
• Responsible for ensuring the systems controls are sufficient and functioning correctly to support accurate financial reporting throughout the year, this also includes supporting the development and implementation of future financial systems for the organisation.
• Counter Fraud lead for the Gambling Commission, ensuring processes are in place, training is provided and reporting is carried out as required.
• Line management of the Financial Accounting team - 5 staff, but also wider leadership across the Finance team
• Reports directly to the Head of Finance and will deputise for the Head of Finance when required.

Person specification

What we’re looking for:

Essential criteria:

• Qualified accountant, with experience of working within the public sector and a sound knowledge of Government Accounting and Managing Public Money.
• Evidence of successful delivery of year end accounts, including management of the relationship with external auditors, and a strong understanding of accounting principles and their application in year-end accounts
• Ability to undertake end to end reviews of financial business processes and in conjunction with key stakeholders, identify improvements that achieve better service levels and efficiencies
• Experience of management, including the ability to support, coach and develop staff, including qualified, training and non-qualified individuals to build a high performing team and meet business requirements
• Strong stakeholder management skills

Desirable criteria:

• Working with / within a Government Department or Arm’s Length Body

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £65,000, Gambling Commission contributes £18,830 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Our offer to you:

• Civil Service Pension, with 28.97% employer contribution. Click for more information
• 26 days’ holiday, rising to 29 days after two years’ service (pro rata)
• Holiday purchase scheme (option to buy up to five extra days annual leave)
• Flexible working & family friendly policies
• Ergonomic, fully accessible office, very close to Birmingham New Street Station
• Open, collaborative and people focused culture
• Recognised by the Sunday Times Best Places to Work awards 2026.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Your application:

We value diversity in our workplace and are committed to a culture where each individual is engaged and feels that their contribution is valued and respected. We welcome all applications from candidates who meet the minimum requirements for the role.

To apply for this position, please see the Gambling Commission careers website.

The Gambling Commission have an anonymised recruitment process, so you should not attach a CV to your application. Instead, application questions will ask you to evidence how your personal skills, qualities and experience match the essential criteria for the role.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be declined. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

The selection process for this vacancy will comprise of an in-person interview consisting of competency and technical questions. To prepare for your interview please familiarise yourself with the STAR techniquefor answering interview questions.

The closing date for this role is midnight on 5th October 2026.

Interviews are expected to be held week commencing 12th October 2026.

Please ensure you have the right to work in the UK before applying as we are unable to provide visa sponsorship.

Incomplete applications will be discounted from shortlisting. Please ensure your application is fully completed and submitted before logging out of your account.

About us:

The Gambling Commission is the regulatory authority responsible for overseeing and regulating gambling activities in the United Kingdom. Our primary role is to ensure that gambling is conducted fairly, openly, and free from crime, while also protecting vulnerable individuals from harm.

We regulate various forms of gambling, including casinos, bingo, sports betting, and lotteries, and issues licenses to operators. We are committed to ensuring a safe and responsible gambling environment, promoting transparency, and enforcing compliance with legal standards to m