Deputy Financial Controller

Deputy Financial Controller 

Bristol / Avonmouth HQ | Hybrid working (2–3 days in the office) 

Leading financial control is one thing. Doing it across a global, fast-growing business is another. 

At Harding+, we create standout retail experiences at sea, working with leading cruise lines and brand partners to make every cruise better. 

With the business now exceeding £300m turnover and operating across a complex international fleet, we’re looking for a Deputy Financial Controller to play a key leadership role at the heart of our finance function. 

This is a high-impact, high-visibility position, working closely with the Financial Controller and CFO, with real ownership, autonomy and influence across the business. 

Harding+ has been recognised as Cruise Retailer of the Year in 2023 and 2025. This is an opportunity to join a business that is scaling, evolving and investing in its future. 

The Opportunity 

This is more than a technical finance role. You’ll be a senior leader within Financial Control, responsible for ensuring the integrity, accuracy and performance of the group’s financial reporting, while also stepping in to lead the function when needed. 

You’ll take clear ownership of management and statutory accounting across a multi-entity, multi-currency environment, leading the monthly close, group consolidation and audit process. Alongside this, you’ll provide senior oversight and support across payroll, compliance, systems and transactional finance, ensuring strong controls and consistency across the function. 

You’ll lead management accounting and payroll through your direct reports, while supporting and strengthening the wider transactional finance functions. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the business, you’ll provide clear financial insight, challenge and direction, helping ensure the business operates with strong financial discipline as it continues to grow. 

This role combines technical expertise, leadership and judgement. You’ll be just as comfortable leading the close and audit process as you are representing finance in senior forums or driving improvements across systems and controls. 

Key areas of focus will include: 

• Owning the monthly management accounts, close process and financial reporting  

• Leading group consolidations, statutory accounts and the external audit process  

• Acting as deputy to the Financial Controller, providing leadership and continuity  

• Driving improvements across financial controls, systems and reporting quality  

• Providing senior oversight and support across payroll, tax and compliance  

• Providing oversight and support to AP and AR functions, ensuring strong controls, accurate processing and effective cash management  

• Leading and developing a team across management accounts and payroll  

This is a role for someone who wants to step into broader leadership, operate with autonomy and play a key part in shaping a growing international business. 

What We’re Looking For 

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with strong post-qualification experience  

• Proven background in a senior financial control role within a complex, multi-entity business  

• Strong technical expertise across group consolidations and statutory reporting (FRS102)  

• Experience leading external audits end-to-end  

• Confident people leader with the ability to develop and motivate teams  

• Comfortable operating with autonomy and representing finance at a senior level  

• Strong systems mindset, ideally with ERP experience (Business Central or similar)  

• Able to communicate financial information clearly to non-finance stakeholders  

• High attention to detail with a proactive, solutions-focused approach  

Why Join Harding+? 

Alongside joining an ambitious, growing business, you’ll benefit from a package designed to support your wellbeing, lifestyle and long-term security. 

• Annual bonus opportunity  

• 26 days holiday plus bank holidays  

• Option to buy up to 5 additional holiday days  

• Paid volunteer days  

• Harding+ staff discount onboard and through staff sales  

• Free onsite parking  

• Salary sacrifice schemes  

• Online discounts with major high street retailers  

• Employee wellbeing assistance programme  

• Staff social events and parties  

• 4x life assurance  

• Medical cashback plan  

• Hybrid working and a collaborative office environment  

You’ll also be part of a finance team that plays a critical role in shaping the business, with exposure to senior leadership, international operations and ongoing transformation. 

Ready to take the next step in your finance leadership career? 

Apply now.