CBRE UK
Senior Controller (ACA - Big 4 - Qualified Accountant) - London

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Senior Controller (ACA - Big 4 - Qualified Accountant) - London
As a Senior Controller, you will own a discrete area of the CBRE Advisory UK & Ireland balance sheet end-to-end - holding the integrity of how we measure, present, and explain it. You are the senior CBRE judgement on the technical accounting in your domain and the primary CBRE counterpart to our distributed finance teams in Poland and Hyderabad for the work in your area. You will do this while leading transformation in how accounting gets done across our distributed finance model.
This role will be suitable for you to apply if you are a qualified accountant (ACA) currently in a big 4 Audit firm at Manager or a qualified accountant (Big 4) with inhouse experience as a Controller with revenue, assets and liabilities experience.
What you will need to apply:
- A qualified Chartered Accountant (ACA/ACCA/Equivalent) with a strong technical background
- Demonstrable experience operating in a SOX or otherwise high-control environment - comfortable owning and evidencing controls over your area
- Strong understanding of both US GAAP and UK GAAP; familiarity with Irish GAAP an advantage but not essential
- Broad balance sheet ownership experience in a complex, multi-entity business
- A track record of supporting business decision-making with clear, well-evidenced accounting determinations
- The judgement and confidence to challenge the work of distributed teams and hold them to account on quality
- A people developer who builds capability in the team around them
- Curiosity about how technology and AI can sharpen accounting and reporting
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
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Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
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Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
What you will be doing:
- Own the SOX / ICFR control framework for your cycle; drive controls strengthening and remediation across the distributed model
- Hold accountability for the integrity of every caption in your domain - its measurement, presentation, and the underlying judgements. As well as certification of corresponding balance sheets
- Review and challenge the close work delivered by our distributed teams in Poland and Hyderabad; provide CBRE's senior judgement on the recognition, measurement, provisioning, and valuation decisions within your area
- Own the exception register for your area and drive structural remediation of recurring issues
- Support the business on accounting determination, escalating to the UK&I Controller where necessary
- Create a culture of constructive challenge with our distributed teams - holding them to account on quality
- Provide direction and development to your Assistant Controller; build their technical depth and judgement
- Own period-on-period movement analysis and commentary for group reporting
- Be the primary audit liaison for the line items in your area - assertions, disclosures (including statutory accounts), and significant judgements


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Why CBRE
When you join CBRE, you become part of the global leader in commercial real estate services and investment that helps businesses and people thrive. We are dynamic problem solvers and forward-thinking professionals who create significant impact. Our collaborative culture is built on our shared values - respect, integrity, service and excellence - and we value the diverse perspectives, backgrounds and skillsets of our people. At CBRE, you have the opportunity to chart your own course and realize your potential. We welcome all applicants.
Applicant AI Use Disclosure
We value human interaction to understand each candidate's unique experience, skills and aspirations. We do not use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to make hiring decisions, and we ask that candidates disclose any use of AI in the application and interview process.
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