ROLE SUMMARY
We are looking for and experienced Financial Operational expert to lead the International transactional finance function (Banking/Cash, AP, AR, Employee Expenses, VAT and related BS reconciliations) for Optos group entities. Own end-to-end delivery, controls, month-end transactional close, and continuous improvement across multiple entities, countries and currencies. Build and develop a high-performing team (c.6 direct reports), partner with Group Finance, Tax, Treasury and local finance contacts, and drive automation and consistent ways of working to ensure accurate, timely and compliant transactional processes. Provide an excellent level of service to the Optos business and stakeholders, setting delivery standards, monitoring and management of KPI’s and targets.
• Reports to Finance Director International
• Direct reports: c.6
• Remit: international / multi-entity / multi-currency; responsible for operational delivery across Optos PLC, France, GmbH and other group entities as required
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Day to day operations
1. Own end-to-end AP, AR, banking/cash management, employee expenses, VAT returns and monthly balance sheet reconciliations across assigned entities.
2. Ensure timely and accurate invoice processing, supplier payments (including weekly/regular payment runs), customer invoicing and cash application.
3. Manage bank account lifecycle, bank reconciliations, daily cash position and liaison with banks/payment providers.
4. Supervise employee expenses administration and enforce expense policy compliance.
Month‑end and controls
5. Lead transactional month-end close activities and ensure accurate posting of journals related to AP/AR/banks/cash/expenses.
6. Review and sign-off balance sheet reconciliations and remediate reconciling items; ensure reconciliations are complete, documented and evidenced.
7. Maintain and enhance internal controls, SOPs and segregation of duties for transactional processes; coordinate JSOX/controls testing where applicable.
Compliance and Tax
8. Own VAT return preparation for jurisdictions in scope, working with Group Tax and external advisors and auditors as required.
9. Ensure compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements related to international transactional activities; support statutory accounts and external audit.
Process improvement and automation
10. Drive standardisation of processes across entities (P2P and O2C), reduce manual touchpoints and implement automation (bank feeds, AP/AR workflow automation, electronic invoicing, straight-through-processing).
11. Identify efficiency gains, define and track improvement initiatives, and introduce KPI-driven performance management.
Intercompany and FX
12. Manage intercompany invoicing, settlements and reconciliations; resolve cross-entity variances.
13. Oversee FX processing and ensure appropriate accounting and controls over foreign currency transactions.
People leadership and stakeholder engagement
14. Line-manage, develop and coach a diverse, distributed team; set objectives, perform performance reviews and manage recruitment.
15. Build relationships with Group Finance, Tax, Treasury, IT/ERP, regional finance teams and business stakeholders to enable smooth operations and support strategic projects.
Audit, projects and ad hoc
16. Support internal and external audit requests related to transactional areas.
17. Lead/participate in ERP/financial systems projects, upgrades and roll-outs affecting transactional processes.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
18. Accountancy Diploma/Degree or Professional qualification preferred with strong working knowledge of accounting principles, transactional accounting and VAT regimes across jurisdictions
19. Demonstrable relevant experience in a similar role, within a large International business
20. Excellent leadership, communication & organisational skills.
21. Excellent people leadership skills with the ability to engage and build a strong team.
22. Focused on delivering operational excellence within structured timeframes.
23. Experience and knowledge of ERP systems and process flows gained at key user/project lead level.
24. Previous experience of leading the development and improvement of processes/systems
25. Previous experience of MS Dynamics systems and MS Power Tools beneficial.
BENEFITS
At Optos, we offer a highly competitive compensation and benefits package.