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 pack • Lead on year-end, statutory reporting and the group audit across UK and European entities • Own technical accounting across the group, including revenue, leases, foreign currency and consolidation • Manage multi-entity, multi-currency reporting, intercompany balances and FX • Strengthen financial controls, policies and process across the group finance function • Partner with local finance contacts and external advisors across the European jurisdictions • Support tax reporting, VAT compliance and transfer pricing across the group • Support budgeting, forecasting and ad-hoc commercial analysis at group level • Line-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 foundation • Prior experience of group consolidation across multiple entities and currencies • Strong technical accounting knowledge and audit experience, ideally from a top-tier practice background • Track record of leading on statutory reporting and group audits • Experience of international group structures, VAT and intercompany is preferred • Practical, hands-on and organised, comfortable being close to the detail while managing multiple workstreams • Based within a reasonable commute of Southend, with hybrid flexibility