Group Financial Controller

Harper May is partnering with a well-established international business headquartered in Southend, operating across multiple European markets through a network of trading and holding entities. The group has grown steadily over many years, with the European division now representing a material part of the wider footprint and continuing to expand across the region. As the finance function scales in step with the group, a Group Financial Controller is being appointed to take ownership of the consolidated group reporting and to lead on controls, process and technical accounting across the wider structure.

The Role
Reporting to senior Group Finance leadership, the Group Financial Controller will own the consolidated month-end and year-end close across the group's UK and European entities, lead on technical accounting and statutory reporting, and drive the ongoing strengthening of controls and process across the finance function. The role blends technical depth with real breadth, and offers a genuinely broad Group remit for a strong, fully qualified accountant looking for meaningful ownership within an international group.

Key Responsibilities

Own the group consolidated month-end close, management accounts and reporting packLead on year-end, statutory reporting and the group audit across UK and European entitiesOwn technical accounting across the group, including revenue, leases, foreign currency and consolidationManage multi-entity, multi-currency reporting, intercompany balances and FXStrengthen financial controls, policies and process across the group finance functionPartner with local finance contacts and external advisors across the European jurisdictionsSupport tax reporting, VAT compliance and transfer pricing across the groupSupport budgeting, forecasting and ad-hoc commercial analysis at group levelLine-manage and develop the group finance team over time

What we are looking for

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong technical foundationPrior experience of group consolidation across multiple entities and currenciesStrong technical accounting knowledge and audit experience, ideally from a top-tier practice backgroundTrack record of leading on statutory reporting and group auditsExperience of international group structures, VAT and intercompany is preferredPractical, hands-on and organised, comfortable being close to the detail while managing multiple workstreamsBased within a reasonable commute of Southend, with hybrid flexibility