(Financial Controller – Europe)

Financial Controller Europe c£70-75k + Bonus
Midlands AB\01978

A European Financial Controller is urgently required for a FTSE 250 organisation. Working as part of the European Team, you would be responsible for the implementation of the strategy and achievement of ambitious growth goals through leveraging the products, processes, organisation and talent within the region. As financial controller this high profile role reporting to the Finance Director and working with the senior leadership team, is ideally suited to an ACA (or equivalent) who is ready to take the step up and fully utilise their strong financial governance, commercial flare and project management skills. The European Financial Controller has responsibility for providing a strong control and analysis framework in Europe, liaising with Group head office on information requests, leading planning processes and driving finance improvement projects across Europe.

Key figures for Europe: turnover (£350m), headcount (c3000 employees)

KEY REPONSIBILITIES:
• Support sites in driving the improvement of internal control environment in line with the group governance model and in liaison with Internal Audit.
• Drive an effective approach to budgeting, forecasting and reporting which supports the business needs and provides an insightful overview of business performance.
• Manage the forecasting processes including the Strategic Plan and Budget.
• Model and interpret financial data to support pan-European strategic and tactical initiatives
• Support central IT function (costs/capex’s etc)
• Lead continuous improvement projects in European finance function. Promote best practice (e.g. cash flow forecasting, month end reporting, pricing calculations), championing a common European approach.
• Support the European President and FD, with reporting and data requests
• Ensure the improvements in analysis and reporting are maximised as part of the ongoing CRM and ERP roll outs across Europe
• Coordinate timely and accurate financial reporting of the European business
• Provide analysis, interpretation and insight to senior management of financial results, highlighting risks and opportunities, and offering conclusions and commentary to inform strategic decision making and help drive the business forward.

QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
• Graduate, qualified Accountant (ACA, ACCA)
• Experience of working for a manufacturing company.
• Experience of leading a divisional budgeting process
• Experience of driving internal control improvements
• European cultural understanding and experience of working in a European environment
• Previous ownership of financial reporting and control
• Fluency in English and 2nd European language preferred (e.g. French, German, Italian)
• Experience of business partnering
• Experience of UK/US GAAP preferred
• Real eye for detail and ability to see the bigger picture
• Owning the delivery and driving through of real change through implementing best in class processes and controls
• Some European travel will be a key part of the role – 25%