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 part of the ongoing investment into the finance function, a Financial Controller is being appointed to take ownership of the European entity reporting and to partner closely with the Group Finance leadership on consolidation, controls and process improvement.

The Role
Reporting into senior Group Finance, the Financial Controller will own the day-to-day financial control for the European entities, ensuring accurate and timely reporting across a multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction structure. The role blends technical accounting depth with hands-on ownership, and offers real breadth for a qualified accountant looking for genuine European exposure without leaving the UK. This is a lean, capable team with strong Group support and a clear roadmap for the function.

Key Responsibilities

Own the month-end close and management reporting for the European entitiesPrepare consolidated European reporting into the Group finance functionManage multi-currency accounting, intercompany balances and FX exposureOversee statutory reporting, VAT and local compliance across the European jurisdictions in scopePartner with local finance contacts and external advisors across EuropeStrengthen financial controls, policies and process across the European entitiesSupport the annual audit and liaise with local and Group auditorsContribute to budgeting, forecasting and ad-hoc commercial analysis for the European business

What we are looking for

Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong technical foundationExperience of multi-entity, multi-currency reporting, ideally with European exposureComfortable owning close, consolidation and statutory reporting end to endPrior experience 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