Group Costs Controller

About Us

At Travel Counsellors, our customers, communities, and colleagues are at the heart of everything we do. For over 30 years, we've empowered 2,100+ independent travel agents worldwide, helping them build successful businesses while providing deeply personal, human connections with their customers. Supported by a talented team of over 400 people in our Support Offices, we create unique travel experiences that keep customers coming back. Named the Best Place to Work in Travel (2022) and ranked in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work (2023 & 2024), we’re expanding rapidly and looking for exceptional individuals to join our Head Office team.

About the Role

The primary objective of this role is to manage, report, budget and forecast the cost base of the TC Group. We are seeking a highly skilled and results-driven Costs Controller to join our finance team. The ideal candidate will have a keen eye for cost control, financial analysis, and process optimisation. This role is focused on driving value for money in the business by analysing, reporting, and controlling costs, and providing actionable insights to enhance financial performance and operational efficiency.

Principal Accountabilities

• Cost Analysis & Control: Monitoring and analysing the Group’s staff costs and overheads, ensuring effective operations and identifying areas for cost-saving opportunities.

• Budgeting & Forecasting: Owns the budgeting and forecasting for all operating and capital expenditure costs. Collaborating with senior stakeholders to develop accurate and realistic budgets and forecasts, reviewing variances and recommending corrective actions to keep costs within budgetary guidelines.

• Staff costs efficiencies and control: Work closely with the People Team and CPO on staff costs controls, processes and effective business partnering. Providing financial support and assisting in Staff Operating efficiencies across the Group.

• Financial Reporting: Preparing detailed cost reports, ensuring accuracy and alignment with business objectives, and presenting findings to senior management to inform strategic decisions. Monthly departmental reports ownership and production which includes detailed variances to budgets and forecasts and regular business partnering to budget holders.
• Operating Models: Maintain, develop and ownership of the staff costs and Overheads costs models. These are monthly reporting, rolling forecasts and budget models. (Good Excel skills required to maintain and develop these).

• Board pack Reporting: Monthly and ad hoc board reporting on costs vs. budgets, forecast and prior years as required by Finance Management and the FP&A team.

• Cost Reduction Initiatives: Identify cost inefficiencies and recommend actionable strategies for reducing costs, improving resource allocation, and increasing profitability. Including Target Operating Models.

• Cost Allocation: Ensure proper cost allocation across entities to reflect true profitability and efficiency.

• Capital expenditure: Maintain strong internal controls to ensure accurate recording of capital expenditure, carrying out project assessments to ensure adherence with international accounting standards. This includes Staff Capitalisation and assisting in effective controls and timesheet accounting. Analysing ROI expenditure and setting up appropriate controls for capex business cases and expenditure.

• Collaboration & Advisory: Work closely with department heads to understand operational needs and provide cost-effective solutions to improve overall business performance.

• Continuous Improvement: Drive continuous improvements in financial reporting processes, cost accounting systems, and data integrity for better decision-making.

Key Experience Required

• ACA/ACCA/CIMA qualified
• Proven experience in cost accounting or financial analysis
• Advanced Excel skills
• Can demonstrate a high level of integrity
• Can demonstrate strong customer focus

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong analytical skills, with a high level of attention to detail.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to manage stakeholders proactively.
• Strong communication with the ability to present financial data to non-financial stakeholders.
• Ability to work independently, prioritise tasks, and manage deadlines.

Our Benefits

• Competitive salary + annual bonus
• Flexible hybrid working
• Career development opportunities
• 25 days holiday (increasing to 28 after 5 years)
• Enhanced Maternity/Paternity pay
• 1 day paid charity day
• Company events and incentives
• 3x salary death in service benefit
• Pension scheme
• Private Medical Insurance or Healthcare Cash Plan
• Free breakfast and beverages

Inclusive Recruitment at Travel Counsellors

Travel Counsellors is an equal opportunity employer committed to diversity and inclusion. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and do not discriminate based on race, gender, disability, or any protected characteristic. We provide accommodations for individuals with disabilities throughout the hiring process. We believe diverse perspectives strengthen our team and encourage all to apply.