Job Description
About this opportunity: This is an exciting time to join our European Shared Service Centre (SSC) in Wantage as we evolve from a first-generation finance operation into a mature, standardised and value-driven service. As Controlling Finance Manager, you will lead the transformation of our Record to Report (R2R) function‑shifting from a fragmented, transactional model to a unified, high-quality controlling and reporting service that supports our European entities and manufacturing plants. You will be responsible for the accuracy and integrity of financial reporting, establishing best‑practice processes in a SOX‑controlled environment, and acting as a key link between the SSC, local finance teams and Group functions. This role offers the opportunity to elevate our controlling capability, drive automation and continuous improvement across SAP S/4HANA and OneStream and build a truly standardised service that anticipates and meets business needs.
Key responsibilities and accountabilities
Leadership and people management
* Provide strategic leadership to the R2R organisation, setting clear direction, expectations and accountability aligned to Group reporting requirements and European Shared Service objectives.
* Build, coach and develop a high‑performing R2R and controlling team, ensuring structured performance management, talent development and succession planning, transitioning roles from basic accounting execution to true financial control, analysis and stewardship.
* Drive a move from a combination of general ledger team and traditional controlling teams towards a combined, standardised portfolio of work that reflects the needs of operating finance teams and anticipates the output of the SSC team through an operations lens.
* Establish a strong performance culture with clear objectives, KPIs, service levels and escalation paths covering close, reporting quality, compliance and stakeholder satisfaction.
* Lead the function through change, embedding new ways of working, standard roles, documented processes and a service‑oriented mindset.
* Act as the senior escalation point for complex accounting, reporting and control issues, ensuring timely resolution and prevention of recurrence.
Financial close, reporting and controlling
* Own and deliver the end‑to‑end month‑end, quarter‑end and year‑end close process across EMEA entities, ensuring accuracy, timeliness and predictability.
* Coordination of forecast preparation, analysis, preparation of monthly reporting/analysis pack and working with operations and finance management to drive the periodic re‑forecasting process.
* Ensure the production of high‑quality management accounts and financial analysis that support operational and commercial decision‑making.
* Transition the controlling community from transactional processing to value‑adding analysis, insight and performance commentary.
* Ensure balance sheet integrity through robust reconciliations, reviews and governance, driving a "clean balance sheet" mindset.
* Establish clear ownership of journals, accruals, provisions and estimates, supported by consistent documentation and review standards.
Statutory accounts, tax and external reporting
* Lead the preparation and coordination of statutory financial statements for in‑scope UK and European entities in compliance with local GAAP and Group requirements.
* Act as the primary SSC contact for external auditors, managing audit planning, execution, issue resolution and remediation.
* Support Group Tax and local tax advisors in the preparation and submission of tax returns, statutory filings and regulatory reporting.
* Ensure alignment between management reporting, statutory reporting and tax data, reducing rework and reconciliation effort.
Controls, compliance and governance
* Ensure full compliance with Sarbanes‑Oxley requirements, internal control frameworks and Group accounting policies across all R2R activities.
* Own R2R‑related controls, including documentation, testing support, remediation and continuous strengthening of the control environment.
* Drive audit readiness as a continuous state rather than a periodic activity.
* Establish and enforce clear governance over accounting judgements, estimates and policy interpretations across multiple reporting lines.
Process excellence and continuous improvement
* Design, document and implement standardised end‑to‑end R2R processes across EMEA, replacing local variation with clear global standards.
* Lead continuous improvement initiatives to reduce close cycle time, improve first time‑right reporting and enhance transparency.
* Champion the use of technology, automation and data to drive efficiency, quality and scalability in reporting processes.
* Identify and deliver tangible benefits from system optimisation, automation and process simplification.
* Develop and maintain KPI dashboards covering close performance, quality, compliance and service delivery.
Systems, data and transformation
* Act as the R2R business owner for SAP S/4HANA, OneStream and related reporting and consolidation tools.
* Drive improved use of systems to reduce manual processing, increase automation and improve data quality.
* Partner with IT, Finance Transformation and Group Finance on system enhancements and reporting roadmap initiatives.
* Ensure master data, chart of accounts and reporting structures support efficient, consistent reporting across the region.
Stakeholder management and business partnering
* Build strong, credible relationships with local finance teams, plant leadership, Group Finance, Tax and Treasury.
* Influence senior stakeholders across a complex matrix organisation, balancing local requirements with Group standards.
* Translate complex accounting and reporting topics into clear, practical actions for operational and finance teams.
* Act as an advocate for the Shared Service Centre, reinforcing its role as a value‑adding partner rather than a transaction factory.
Essential qualifications
* Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent)
Desirable qualifications
* Degree level qualifications in Finance, Accounting or Business Administration
Essential skills and experience
* Significant senior experience leading Record to Report / Financial Reporting in a large, complex organisation.
* Experience working in a complex, multi‑entity, multi‑currency listed corporate environment.
* Proven experience within a Shared Service Centre or similar centralised finance model.
* Strong background in management accounting, statutory reporting and balance sheet governance.
* Experience operating across multiple legal entities, countries and reporting lines.
* Deep understanding of best‑practice R2R and controlling models.
* Strong knowledge of SAP S/4HANA, OneStream or similar ERP and consolidation platforms.
* Ability to draw clear conclusions from complex commercial and accounting issues and translate them into actionable plans and solutions that anticipate operational needs.
* Excellent influencing skills across peer groups and senior leadership.
* Strong problem‑solving and issue‑resolution capability.
* Proven ability to deliver measurable performance and quality improvements.
* Fluent English.
Desirable skills and experience
* A career arc that shows experience in a controller role supporting operations and a transition into a larger, multi‑site, multi‑currency controller role.
* Prior exposure to commercial finance – factoring, supply chain financing, lease finance
* Experience supporting manufacturing operations and tolling models.
* Experience working in a US‑listed, SOX‑controlled environment.
* Exposure to European statutory and tax environments.
* Experience implementing automation, workflow or reporting enhancements.
* Exposure to finance transformation programmes.
* Additional European language.
Essential personal attributes
* Energetic, resilient and credible leader with a strong delivery mindset.
* Comfortable operating in environments with legacy practices and driving cultural change.
* Detail‑focused while able to maintain a strategic, end‑to‑end perspective.
* Strong coaching orientation, with a track record of developing finance talent.
* Service‑oriented, with a clear commitment to quality, transparency and accountability.
Desirable personal attributes
* Ambition to progress within a growing European Shared Service and Group Finance environment.
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