Finance Controller

Finance Controller – Edinburgh Zoo (Heritage Portfolio Scotland)

Location – Edinburgh – Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (Edinburgh Zoo)

Reporting Line – Commercial Finance Manager

Hybrid Working – 3 days office based, 2 days WFH

Salary – Up to 35k per annum + Sodexo Benefits

Are you a commercially minded finance professional looking for an exciting role in one of Scotland’s most iconic visitor attractions? Heritage Portfolio Scotland, is seeking a highly capable Finance Controller to lead financial control, reporting, and operational finance support at Edinburgh Zoo.

This is a great opportunity to combine analytical expertise with real‑time engagement across a vibrant hospitality, retail, and events environment.

As Finance Controller, you will play a key role in delivering a robust financial control environment and providing clear, insight‑driven reporting to support our operational food and drink team across the Zoo. Your work will ensure financial accuracy, strong governance, and commercially sound decision‑making.

You’ll oversee financial processes including month‑end preparation, forecasting, reconciliations, expenditure monitoring, and revenue controls - while building strong, collaborative relationships with onsite teams.

• Ensure accurate accounting entries for purchase invoices, accruals, and prepayments in line with monthly and weekly timetables
• Support the preparation, production, and reporting of monthly financial trading results.
• Produce weekly flash forecasts with meaningful narrative and analysis.
• Maintain compliance with all finance timelines, policies, and procedures.

• Work closely with Heads of Department and onsite teams to ensure cost accuracy, highlight key revenue and cost drivers, and challenge overspends.
• Monitor expenditure using controlled PO procedures, ensuring no budget overspends.
• Spend time across Zoo venues to support key stakeholders and strengthen operational insight.

• Manage E‑Proph
  
  IT processes, ensuring invoices and event revenues are traded correctly and on time.
• Work with the Sales team to ensure timely event invoicing, banking, debt collection, and accurate end‑of‑month revenue balancing via E‑Proph
  
  IT and SAP.

• Support reconciliations including balance sheets, gift vouchers, variances, and ad‑hoc reports.
• Review journals, support new month‑end process improvements, and upload journals as required.

• Produce regular forecasts and ad‑hoc P&Ls for functions and events.
• Support annual budget setting and quarterly forecast reviews for the site and, where needed, across the HPL Scotland portfolio.

• Advise Commercial Assistants on day‑to‑day finance operations.
• Maintain strong internal and external relationships across all Zoo functions.

You will thrive in this role if you bring:

• Excellent Excel skills and strong variance analysis capability.
• Experience producing management accounts, budgets, and forecasts.
• Working knowledge of SAP, EProph
  
  IT, Priava, or similar large systems (desirable).
• Experience working in retail, cash environments, or contract catering (desirable).
• Strong communication skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Ability to travel across multiple sites as needed (mostly Edinburgh).
• Part‑qualified ACCA/CIMA or QBE.

This is a unique opportunity to apply your finance expertise within a lively, guest‑focused environment while contributing to the success of one of Scotland’s most treasured visitor attractions. You’ll work alongside passionate operational teams, gain exposure to diverse revenue streams, and support the Zoo’s mission through strong financial stewardship.

Working with Sodexo is more than a job; it’s a chance to be part of something greater. You’ll belong in a company and team that values you for you; you’ll act with purpose and have an impact through your everyday actions; and you’ll be able to thrive in your own way. In addition, we also offer a range of resources, rewards and benefits for our colleagues and their families:

• Unlimited…