Reporting & Transformation Controller - Defence

Hybrid – 3 days onsite at our Hook office, RG27 9UY
Full Time, Permanent
Band 2 | £80,000 – £90,000 (dependent on experience)

Shape Finance Transformation in Defence at Serco

At Serco, we support critical government and defence operations through complex, high-profile contracts that deliver real impact. As part of a major Finance Transformation programme, we are building a UK-led Global Finance Services (GFS) Hub designed to strengthen financial control, improve reporting quality and enable scalable growth across the business.

We are now looking for a Reporting & Transformation Controller to join our Defence business - a highly visible leadership role at the centre of financial reporting, governance and operational performance.

This is an opportunity to operate in a strategically important environment where strong financial control, stakeholder confidence and operational insight are essential. You will work closely with Defence Finance Directors and senior operational leaders, ensuring robust reporting, driving continuous improvement and helping shape the future finance operating model across the division.

The Role

As Reporting & Transformation Controller for Defence, you will act as the key link between the central Record-to-Report (R2R) processes delivered through the GFS Hub and the Defence business’ operational and financial leadership teams.

You will take ownership of translating complex financial data into clear, accurate and commercially meaningful reporting across P&L, cashflow and balance sheet performance. Acting as a trusted partner to Defence Finance Directors, you will provide assurance over the integrity of reporting outputs and support confident decision-making in a highly regulated, contract-driven environment.

This role combines strong financial controllership with transformation leadership. Alongside month-end reporting responsibilities, you will identify opportunities to improve processes, strengthen controls and drive standardisation across Defence finance operations.

What You’ll Be Doing

• Act as the strategic finance reporting lead for the Defence business, partnering closely with Finance Directors and senior stakeholders
• Own the delivery and integrity of Defence reporting outputs across P&L, balance sheet and cashflow
• Lead month-end review and calibration activity, supporting Finance Director sign-off with confidence
• Investigate complex accounting entries, operational drivers and material variances to ensure Trial Balance integrity
• Provide robust financial control and governance across a complex multi-contract environment
• Build strong relationships across Finance, Operations and shared service teams
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives across reporting, controls and finance processes
• Act as the “voice of the business” within the GFS Hub, ensuring Defence requirements are reflected in process design and reporting outputs
• Partner with Global Process Owners and Finance leadership to enhance standardisation, automation and reporting quality
• Support the development of insight-led reporting packs and improved access to financial data
• Work collaboratively with offshore teams to deliver efficient and scalable reporting solutions

What You’ll Need

We’re looking for someone who combines strong technical finance expertise with the credibility and leadership to operate effectively within a complex Defence environment.

You will:

• Be a qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA/ACMA or equivalent)
• Have strong experience in financial reporting, controllership or finance transformation roles
• Be confident working with senior Finance and operational stakeholders
• Demonstrate a strong controls and governance mindset
• Be commercially aware, with the ability to connect financial and operational performance drivers
• Have experience working within complex, multi-entity or contract-led organisations
• Be naturally analytical and comfortable challenging assumptions and investigating variances
• Thrive in environments undergoing change and transformation
• Balance operational delivery with longer-term process improvement initiatives
• Bring excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication skills

Experience within Defence, government services, infrastructure or similarly regulated sectors would be advantageous.

Why Join Serco?

This is a chance to play a key role in shaping the future of Finance within one of Serco’s most strategically important sectors. You’ll work in a collaborative and forward-thinking environment where finance is central to operational delivery, governance and business performance.

You’ll gain exposure to large-scale transformation activity, senior stakeholders and complex operational contracts while helping build a best-in-class finance function for the future.

What We Offer

• Company car or £4,200 cash alternative
• Private healthcare
• 10% on-target bonus
• Flexible working considered
• 6% pension contribution
• Employee discounts including cinema, retail, leisure and mobile plans
• Employee Assistance Programme and wellbeing support
• Career development and professional training opportunities
• Leadership coaching and formal study support
• Inclusive, safe and supportive culture
• Opportunity to contribute to critical public service and defence operations

About Serco
At Serco, not only is the nature of the work we do important, everyone has an important role to play, from caring for vulnerable people to managing complex public services.  We are a team of 50,000 people responsible for delivering essential public services around the world in areas including defence, transport, justice, immigration, healthcare and citizen services. We are innovators, committed to redesigning and improving public services for the benefit of everyone.

By joining Serco you will have unlimited access to our Global Employee Networks – SercoInspire (Gender), SercoEmbrace (Multicultural), SercoUnlimited (Disability) and In@Serco (LGBT & Networks). Serco Employee Networks, led by colleagues who are passionate about diversity, inclusion and belonging. 

Apply
Please click on the apply button to complete your application. Occasionally we receive a large volume of applications for our roles and when that happens we sometimes bring the closing date forward, so please apply promptly to avoid disappointment. 

At Serco, we see people first and foremost for their performance and potential. We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organisation that supports the needs of all. As such we will make reasonable adjustments at interview through to employment for our candidates and strongly encourage applications from a diverse candidate pool. We are open to discussions around flexibility and flexible working. We operate a hybrid work structure in many of our business areas. We are proudly Disability Confident Leader employers and holder of the Gold Inclusive Employer Standard. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the job will be given the opportunity to demonstrate their abilities at an interview.  For help with your application please contact 0345 010 4000.
 

At Serco we support fair access to employment for those with unspent criminal convictions through the ‘Ban the Box’ pledge (some may be exempt due to the nature of the role and the security clearance required). Please contact our recruitment team directly on 0345 010 4000 to discuss.