Hire a Financial Controller: Complete Recruitment Guide

Hiring the right Financial Controller can transform your business’s financial operations, improve reporting accuracy, enhance strategic planning, and strengthen financial compliance.

At Richard Lloyd, we specialise in placing talented Financial Controllers into Sydney businesses, ensuring your new hire perfectly aligns with your financial and strategic needs.

In this comprehensive guide, we'll take you step-by-step through everything you need to successfully hire a Financial Controller, avoid common mistakes, and optimise your finance leadership.

When should you hire a Financial Controller?

Knowing when to recruit a Financial Controller can significantly impact your company’s growth. Key indicators include:

• Rapid growth or expanding operations needing enhanced financial management

• Increasing complexity of financial reporting, budgeting, or compliance requirements

• Transition phases such as mergers, acquisitions, or restructuring

• Preparation for future CFO transition requiring robust financial leadership now

Hiring a Financial Controller ensures accurate reporting, risk mitigation, and effective financial strategy execution.

Discover top Financial Controller Candidates today

Key responsibilities of a Financial Controller

When hiring a Financial Controller, seek professionals capable of managing crucial responsibilities, including:

• Financial Reporting & Analysis: Overseeing timely, accurate financial statements

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Leading budget creation, cash-flow forecasting, and financial projections

• Compliance & Governance: Ensuring adherence to regulatory and tax compliance

• Team Management: Leading, developing, and mentoring your finance team

• Risk Management: Identifying and mitigating financial risks proactively

• Systems & Process Improvement: Enhancing financial systems, technology, and internal controls

Essential skills & qualifications for a Financial Controller

The ideal candidate should possess:

• Professional Qualifications: CA or CPA qualifications typically required

• Extensive Accounting Experience: Solid background in financial management, audit, or accounting roles

• Leadership & Communication Skills: Ability to clearly communicate financial information to non-finance stakeholders

• Analytical & Strategic Thinking: Capable of interpreting data to support business strategy

• Industry-specific Experience: Relevant experience within your business sector is beneficial

Typical salary for a Financial Controller in Sydney

To attract high-calibre candidates, it's crucial to offer competitive compensation:

• Typical salary range in Sydney: $160K - $250K + Super + Bonus (depending on company size and complexity)

Offering competitive remuneration packages ensures attraction and retention of the best candidates.

Step-by-step process to successfully hire a Financial Controller

Follow these clear steps to streamline your Financial Controller hiring process:

Step 1: Clearly Define Role Requirements

Clearly outline required skills, experience, qualifications, and responsibilities. Include cultural-fit expectations and strategic contributions.

View our Financial Controller Job Description

Step 2: Develop an Engaging Job Description

Craft a job description highlighting the impact of the role, your company culture, career growth opportunities, and benefits.

Step 3: Set Competitive Salary & Compensation

Ensure salary and benefits align with market expectations to attract high-quality applicants.

Step 4: Utilise Specialised Financial Controller Recruitment Agencies

Partnering with specialists like Richard Lloyd provides:

• Access to exclusive, qualified talent

• Time-saving recruitment processes

• Expertise in candidate screening, referencing, and interviews

Learn About Our Executive Recruitment Specialists

Step 5: Conduct Structured Interviews

Include behavioural and technical questions focused on:

• Leadership style and communication ability

• Problem-solving scenarios and financial strategy examples

• Previous success in improving financial processes

Step 6: Thorough Reference & Background Checks

Validate experience, qualifications, professional integrity, and previous job performance comprehensively.

Step 7: Professional Offer Negotiation

Make a clear, fair, and competitive offer promptly to secure your preferred candidate.

Step 8: Effective Onboarding

Support your Financial Controller with structured onboarding, clear expectations, and access to necessary resources from day one.

Common mistakes to avoid when hiring a Financial Controller

Avoid costly recruitment pitfalls such as:

• Neglecting Cultural Fit: Always consider compatibility with your company values and culture.

• Insufficient Vetting: Never skip thorough reference checks and due diligence.

• Overemphasis on Technical Skills Only: Ensure leadership, strategic capabilities, and interpersonal skills are also prioritised.

• Rushed Decisions: Carefully consider interim solutions rather than rushing into unsuitable permanent hires.

Considering an interim Financial Controller?

In periods of transition, interim Financial Controllers offer invaluable flexibility:

• Immediate availability for urgent financial management needs

• Continuity and stability during leadership changes, mergers, or restructures

• Opportunity to evaluate long-term financial leadership requirements without immediate long-term commitment

Why choose Richard Lloyd to hire your Financial Controller?

Richard Lloyd is Sydney’s trusted expert in financial recruitment, providing:

• Specialised Industry Expertise: Exclusive focus on accounting & finance positions.

• Extensive Talent Network: Access to a broad range of skilled professionals, both permanent and interim.

• Personalised Recruitment Strategies: Bespoke hiring processes tailored specifically to your organisational needs.

• Proven Success & Track Record: Consistent delivery of high-quality placements, ensuring candidate alignment and successful hires.

Read our Finance Leader Hiring Blueprint

FAQs: hiring a Financial Controller

• How long does the hiring process typically take?
  Typically, 4–6 weeks, depending on role complexity and candidate availability.
• What is the difference between a Financial Controller and a CFO?
  A Financial Controller focuses primarily on financial reporting, compliance, budgeting, and team management. A CFO has a broader strategic remit, shaping overall business strategy and corporate finance.
• Should I hire permanently or consider an interim Financial Controller?
  Interim is beneficial during transitional phases requiring immediate expertise, while permanent hires are best for stable, long-term leadership needs.

Ready to hire a Financial Controller?

Ensure your business benefits from expert financial management. Let Richard Lloyd support your recruitment process and help you secure exceptional financial leadership.

Contact Richard Lloyd today and begin your journey to hire the ideal Financial Controller to drive your business success.

Written by Kent Maxwell, Senior Manager at Richard Lloyd 🔗 View Kent’s profile

About the author

Kent Maxwell is a Senior Manager at Richard Lloyd with a passion for making recruitment human. Known for his ability to adapt and stay ahead in the fast-moving finance sector, Kent brings creativity and insight to every placement. He thrives on uncovering individual stories and aligning them with meaningful opportunities.