Interim Finance Control & Reconciliations Lead

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