Fractional Financial Controller

Fractional Financial Controller
Location: Remote (UK-based) — occasional London meet-ups with the executive team
Engagement Type: Fractional / Part-time — approx. 2 days per week (minimum 20–22 hours/week), ongoing

About MarcoPolo Learning
MarcoPolo Learning is a leading provider of innovative content, technology, and instructional support for early childhood education. Since 2013, we've impacted thousands of classrooms and hundreds of thousands of families across North America. Our Emmy-nominated MarcoPolo World School app and The Polos TV series bring STEM and global discovery to life for young learners.
Backed by top-tier investors, we're on a mission to transform early learning at scale — and we're looking for a Fractional Financial Controller who thrives in a fast-scaling, international SaaS environment.

Role Overview
We're seeking an experienced, hands-on Fractional Financial Controller to own and mature our finance operations across the UK and US entities on a part-time basis of approximately 2 days per week (minimum 20–22 hours). You'll work directly with the executive team to run the finance function, strengthen controls, keep reporting accurate and timely, and provide strategic financial insight that drives growth.
This is a remote engagement with flexibility over how your days are structured; occasional in-person time in London with the CEO and leadership team is welcomed but not required on a fixed schedule.
The ideal candidate has operated as a fractional or hands-on Controller in fast-scaling SaaS/technology businesses, managed multi-entity operations across the UK and US, and can hit the ground running with minimal onboarding.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the finance function across the UK and US, including accounting, tax, payroll, and reporting.
• Run the month-end close, management accounts, consolidation, and audit preparation, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Partner with leadership on financial planning, analysis, and scenario modelling to support data-driven decisions.
• Maintain and improve finance workflows and automation (AP, AR, payroll, P2P, and expense management).
• Oversee UK & US tax compliance, including VAT, R&D, PSA, P11D, PAYE, and US sales tax; liaise with external advisors as needed.
• Manage year-end audits, ensuring compliance with UK GAAP, IFRS, and US GAAP (ASC 606).
• Oversee cash flow and working capital management, ensuring optimal liquidity.
• Support the optimization of ERP and accounting systems to ensure scalability.
• Provide financial insight to Operations, Sales, and Product teams to align with business strategy.
• Support equity management (EMI schemes), intercompany transactions, and consolidation reporting.
• Provide accounting guidance for M&A transactions, due diligence, and post-acquisition integration where applicable.

What We're Looking For

• Qualified accountant (ACCA, ACA, CIMA, or CPA) with a minimum of 7+ years of progressive finance experience.
• Hands-on Controller or fractional finance experience in a SaaS, fintech, or technology business, ideally post–Series A/B.
• Proven ability to run and improve finance functions independently with minimal oversight.
• Strong technical knowledge across UK GAAP, IFRS, and US GAAP (ASC 606).
• Demonstrated success in multi-entity, multi-currency environments (UK/US).
• Proficient in ERP and P2P tools, advanced Excel, and comfortable with automation and data-driven decision-making.
• Excellent understanding of SaaS financial metrics (ARR, deferred revenue, churn, LTV/CAC).
• Experience managing tax, audit, payroll, and statutory compliance.
• Self-starter with high ownership, attention to detail, and a process improvement mindset.
• Able to commit approximately 2 days per week (minimum 20–22 hours) on an ongoing basis.

What We Offer

• Competitive day rate (fractional basis) 
• Fully flexible, remote working around a ~2-day-per-week commitment.
• A collaborative, family-friendly, mission-driven environment.
• The opportunity to shape the finance function of a mission-driven global education company at a key growth stage.

Why Join Us
This is a unique opportunity to bring your financial leadership to a growing company at the intersection of education, media, and technology. You'll work closely with senior leaders across London and the US, helping us scale efficiently and sustainably — on a flexible, fractional basis that fits around your portfolio.

Note: This is a UK-based engagement. Applicants must have the right to work in the UK; visa sponsorship is not available at this time.

MarcoPolo Learning is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected status. We pride ourselves on a supportive and mission-driven working environment.