Finance Controller

**Expectation of the role**:
Shape the Financial Future of an AI-Powered Event Tech Leader.
As our first Finance Controller, you'll be instrumental in establishing and scaling our financial infrastructure, ensuring we maintain financial health and stability while revolutionising the event industry.
**Make Customers Win**: By taking ownership of our financial reporting, analysis, and control, you'll directly contribute to Grip's ability to deliver exceptional value to our clients, the world's leading event organisers.
**Deliver Impact with Kindness**: Directly reporting into our COO, you will collaborate closely with a team of talented colleagues within the finance & people operations fostering a supportive and collaborative environment where everyone thrives.
**Create Sustainable Growth**: Your expertise in financial planning and analysis will empower Grip to make informed strategic decisions, fueling our continued expansion and innovation.
**Who are we?**
Where Innovation Meets Connection.
Grip is on a mission to transform the way professionals connect at events. Our cutting-edge Market Engagement Platform empowers event organisers to create unforgettable virtual, hybrid, and live experiences. We're renowned for our AI-powered matchmaking engine, which has facilitated millions of valuable connections at thousands of events worldwide.
**Your Mission**:
- ** Budgets & Forecasting**:
- Prepare regular financial forecasts, identifying potential challenges and opportunities to optimise resource allocation.
- Work with leadership to develop and manage the annual budgeting process, working with department heads to establish realistic and achievable financial targets.
- Monitor actual performance against budget and forecast, providing variance analysis and recommendations for corrective action.
- ** Financial Reporting & Analysis**:
- Prepare accurate and timely financial statements (monthly, quarterly, annually) in accordance with relevant accounting standards.
- Analyse financial results providing insightful analysis to management, the board, and investors.
- Develop and refine our financial reporting systems, ensuring efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.
- ** Compliance and Controls**:
- Ensure compliance with all relevant financial regulations and tax laws in all operating regions (UK, Serbia, US, and any others).
- Establish and maintain a robust system of internal controls to protect company assets and ensure data integrity.
- ** R&D and Company Audit**:
- Stay informed about tax relief opportunities related to qualifying R&D, maximising our investment in innovation.
- Actively participate in the annual audit process, ensuring positive engagement with investors and using the audit as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement.
- ** Options Management**:
- Manage a system for tracking employee stock options, ensuring accurate record-keeping of ownership stakes and dilution of shares.
- Ensure compliance with all tax and legal requirements related to stock options.
- Support wider leadership on scenario modelling.
**Essential Skills and Experience**:
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build strong relationships across all levels of the organisation.
- Highly organised and detail-oriented, with a proven ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
- Experience working in a high-growth technology company, ideally within the event or SaaS industry.
- Proven experience managing the financial reporting process, including preparation of financial statements and audit**coordination.
- Strong knowledge of accounting principles (IFRS or US GAAP) and financial regulations.
- CIMA / ACCA / ACA or equivalent.
- 5+ years of progressive experience in accounting and finance, with at least 2+ years in a Financial Controller role or similar position.
**Desirable Skills and Experience**:
- Experience with stock option management.
- Knowledge of tax regulations in the UK, Serbia, and the US.
- Experience managing third-party accounting firms.
**Join Grip and help us shape the future of events

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