Financial Controller

Millions of fans watch or attend British horseracing’s 10,000 races per year at 59 racecourses, making it the second highest spectator sport in GB. Funding from the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HBLB) supports almost every aspect of the sport – such as regulation and integrity, marketing and promotion, veterinary science, equine welfare, people development, community engagement and prize money for participants.

HBLB is an Arm’s Length Body of Government, responsible to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport. Unlike some NDPBs, HBLB receives no central Government grant-in-aid and no National Lottery funding. Instead, it is required by the Act to collect a statutory levy from the horseracing business of bookmakers (c.£100 million p.a.). HBLB applies those Levy funds to a wide range of schemes in direct support of horseracing and in line with statutory objectives:

• The improvement of breeds of horses
• The advancement or encouragement of veterinary science or veterinary education
• The improvement of horseracing

The Financial Controller (FC) will report to and work closely with the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) leading the Finance Team with line management responsibility for all four members. This team is highly competent, reliable, and experienced in what they do. The Financial Controller has responsibility for leading activity across the team, driving high levels of professionalism, integrity and continuous improvement in designing and running effective and efficient operational activity and analysis.

The key responsibilities of the Financial Controller will be:

• Assist the CFO in developing and maintaining a framework of performance and risk management including the HBLB three-year business plan.
• Manage and control the framework of bank accounts including assisting the CFO in decision-making on all treasury matters.
• Lead on the maintenance of an accurate, rolling, three-year forward look financial model.
• Assist the CFO and Chief Executive with all Board papers as required
• Lead the process for opening and running HBLB Loan windows for applications as to timing and affordability including convening the Investment Committee.
• Lead the relationship with the National Audit Office (external auditors), coordinating all visits and enquiries, liaising with the NAO throughout the year to effectively plan necessary activity and the annual audit. Anticipate or proactively address issues as they arise.
• Coordinate the issuing of new Levy Guidance Notes and annual Levy Assessments, including reviewing the Levy paperwork to match any statutory updates and making changes.
• Assure the monthly payroll process and act as the business continuity process manager for the preparation of payroll and pension submissions in case of the FM being unavailable.

The successful candidate will have:

• You must be ACCA, CIMA or ACA fully qualified with at least three years’ PQE.
• You will have led a team or teams during your career
• You will have experience of managing budgets and forecasts, dealing with external stakeholders (such as internal and external audit), and have been involved in risk management and performance management.
• Practical experience of IFRS accounting standards and ideally public sector Annual Accounts and Report production.
• Ideally you will have experience of working in both the private sector and public sector.

Robertson Bell is partnering with the Horserace Betting Levy Board to recruit a new Financial Controller with the role based in Canary Wharf. The benefits package is generous including 25 days of personal annual leave; 15% Employer contribution to pension; and learning and development support where appropriate.