Group Financial Controller

Our client is a PE backed business services Group with ambitious growth plans and a clearly defined exit driven agenda.  They are now looking to recruit a best-in class Group Financial Controller to partner the Director of Group Finance and to ensure effective delivery against the agreed business plan.  It is likely that the business will either IPO or go through a trade sale and it is therefore essential that the necessary systems, controls and governance are in place.  The Group Financial Controller will play an instrumental role in ensuring rigorous controls are in place within the finance department and will understand the best-practice requirements of operating within a listed business.

Main responsibilities and tasks include:

Ownership and oversight of all internal and external financial reporting, including but not limited to:

• Monthly management accounts, quarterly reforecasting, annual budgets and long term strategic projections.
• Audited annual consolidated accounts and quarterly reporting to debt holders (a new requirement).
• Oversight of the annual external audit process.
• Preparation of financial reporting to the Executive Team, Board and PE shareholder and other stakeholders.
• Provision of accurate financial information relating to the Group and its subsidiaries on a monthly, quarterly and annual basis, both internally to the Group Executive Team and Board and externally to key stakeholders.
• Ensure compliance across the Group with external financial reporting requirements, including IFRS, UK Companies Act and compliance with requirements of external financing;
• Ensuring a robust and consistent Group wide internal control regime exists and is adhered to.
• Manage a team of professional accountants and support the Director of Group Finance.
• Supporting strategic projects including M&A activity, major transactions (Debt and Equity) and other value adding projects.

Requirement of the role

Main requirements of the role include:

• Qualified accountant (ACA, CIMA, ACCA).
• Previous experience of a complex global group with significant currency exposures essential.
• Previous ‘blue chip’ experience in the Head Office of an international business with significant foreign currency exposures.
• Excellent IFRS technical skills.
• Experience of accounting for treasury (fx hedging, external debt and related interest rate hedging) and tax.
• Excellent communications skills, both written and oral, and excellent presentation skills.
• Ability to engage with business colleagues, at all levels, in a proactive manner to develop effective solutions to issues.
• Listed company experience essential.
• Critical and analytical thinking in all aspects of work.
• Excellent inter-personal skills and ability to work as part of a team.

This role provides an excellent opportunity for somebody seeking a high profile role in a fast paced PE backed business which is well positioned to continue growing both organically and via acquisition.