At Mako, we believe in the power of collaboration to drive innovation in pursuit of our collective ambition; excellence in trading. Our diverse community is connected through a commitment to being the best we can be with the highest standards of integrity.
The Financial Controller (AI-Native) will work closely with the Group Finance Director, junior finance colleagues, external auditors, and cross-functional teams in Technology and Operations. In this hands-on leadership role, you will own the day-to-day financial control environment, close, and reporting processes, while actively modernising and automating workflows to build a highly scalable, trusted, and AI-native finance operation.
What you’ll be involved in:
- Owning the financial control environment and ensuring overall financial integrity across the global multi-entity group.
- Managing month-end close, management reporting, and the accuracy and quality of recurring finance outputs.
- Preparing and reviewing statutory financial statements across multiple entities and jurisdictions.
- Leading the end-to-end audit process, including planning, evidence gathering, auditor queries, and coordinating key internal and external stakeholders to drive audits to completion.
- Developing and mentoring a team of 2–3 junior finance colleagues, holding them accountable and elevating standard accounting practices.
- Overseeing banking, payments, bookkeeping, accounts payable, and core finance operations controls.
- Identifying weak, manual, or fragile processes and rebuilding them into scalable, automated workflows.
- Utilising AI, modern workflows, and systems tools hands-on to improve reporting speed, accuracy, and documentation.
- Acting as senior finance cover and a trusted number-two partner to the Group Finance Director.
- Bringing independent judgment and constructive challenge where numbers, controls, or processes require optimisation.
What we need from you:
- A fully qualified professional accounting credential (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA) with robust technical expertise.
- Proven financial control, technical accounting, close, audit, and statutory reporting experience.
- Extensive experience preparing or reviewing financial statements across multiple entities and jurisdictions.
- Demonstrated leadership capability in managing, developing, and raising standards in a small finance operations team.
- Robust project management and change delivery capability, especially in audits or finance transformation initiatives.
- An innovative, hands-on automation mindset, with practical experience utilising Excel automation, workflow tools, AI, Power Query, or modern finance systems.
- A rigorous control mindset accompanied by exceptional attention to detail.
- A confident and diplomatic communication style, enabling you to form independent views and respectfully challenge senior leadership.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a comfort operating in a fast-paced, detail-focused environment.
We are Mako
At Mako, we are welcoming, inclusive and collaborative. We work fast and smart in a supportive and dress-down environment that allows colleagues to be themselves and achieve great things. We uphold the principles of a flat structure that offers unrivalled engagement with senior leadership and career development opportunities. We have a comprehensive benefits package, including:
- Flexible leave and hybrid working policies
- Private health and dental insurance
- Generous pension scheme
- Free access to the Mako gym
- Employee wellbeing guidance and support
- Opportunity to become involved in the rewarding work of the Mako Foundation
About Mako
Mako is a leading options market maker with a global trading footprint. It has been at the forefront of options market making since 1999, from the open outcry trading pits to screen trading and automated algorithmic execution strategies that are driving the future of the industry.
From offices in London, Dublin, Amsterdam, Singapore, Sydney, Brisbane and Chengdu, Mako offers the best-in-class liquidity solutions across Equities, Fixed Income, Commodities and FX derivatives markets and prides itself in its entrepreneurial, collaborative and philanthropic culture.
If you require any reasonable adjustments or assistance during the recruitment process, please email [email protected] and we will arrange this.
For further information on the Mako Group please refer to our website: www.mako.com.
Mako does not accept unsolicited CVs or candidate details from recruiters or search firms and will not pay any fees to such firms without a signed agreement.
Skills Required
- Fully qualified professional accounting credential (ACA, ACCA, or CIMA)
- Proven financial control, technical accounting, close, audit, and statutory reporting experience
- Extensive experience preparing or reviewing financial statements across multiple entities and jurisdictions
- Demonstrated leadership capability managing, developing, and raising standards in a small finance operations team
- Robust project management and change delivery capability, especially for audits or finance transformation
- Practical experience utilising Excel automation, workflow tools, AI, Power Query, or modern finance systems
- Rigorous control mindset with exceptional attention to detail
- Confident and diplomatic communication style, able to challenge senior leadership respectfully
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and ability to operate in a fast-paced, detail-focused environment
What We Do
Mako has an established history in using technology and a deep understanding of pricing and risk management to provide liquidity on global exchanges. Our innovative and entrepreneurial approach ensures that we play a leading role in shaping the future of trading and technology. What really differentiates us from the rest? We think it is our integrity and the value that we place on our people and relationships
