European Finance Manager

Brand Addition is a global leader in the creative merchandise industry, and one of the largest promotional products suppliers in the world.  Our reputation for creativity, quality, service and customer satisfaction is second-to-none and that’s exactly why some of the world’s biggest brands choose to work with us, time and time again.

The Brand Addition business has grown geographically in recent years, both organically and through acquisition. With a turnover of over £100m, we employ around 400 talented staff across our offices in Europe, the USA and Asia. With an ambitious 5 year plan to continue this growth further, a fantastic opportunity has arisen in the establishment of a new role of European Finance Manager.

The European Finance Manager will have direct responsibility for a team of 4 managers, whose responsibilities cover Financial Accounts, Management Accounts and Transactional Services, encompassing a total team of c. 30. The role reports to the Commercial Director.

Responsibilities

• Month-end coordination of group board reporting for European entities incorporating; P&L, balance sheet and cashflow positions, and other key Group KPI’s. To include full management of this process ensuring required timescales and deadlines are communicated internally and adhered to.
• Monthly review of balance sheet reconciliations ensuring ongoing training is provided to the team to maintain best practice.
• Regularly review judgmental/ complex balance sheet areas e.g. customer rebates, stock valuations and ensuring procedures and approaches are aligned across the Division.
• Point of liaison for Group Internal audit.
• Cashflow and working capital management and forecasting for all European entities.
• Support of the VAT Manager, providing another point of contact to the business, and back-up for the preparation of returns and on-going compliance.
• Ownership of relationship with local tax advisors.
• Management of all European payrolls, performing final review and approval of data.
• Collation of annual working capital Budgets and interim reforecasts, coordinating with other finance team members to achieve a consolidated Budget position; to include management of this process ensuring required timescales and deadlines are communicated internally and adhered to.
• Responsibility for divisional compliance with accounting standards and implementation of Group accounting policies across European subsidiaries.
• Drive the continuous improvement of end to end accounting processes. Where necessary, producing, implementing and updating Financial control policies and procedures.
• Ownership of Statutory Packs for European entities, and associated liaison with auditors.
• Assist with the upgrade and ongoing maintenance of the Financial Reporting software system from a Finance perspective.
• Use skills, knowledge and experience to add value within the Finance department and across the business, by suggesting improvements to processes and procedures, and where appropriate implementing those suggestions.
• Perform the role with a customer-focused outlook, always aware of who our internal customers are and striving to provide the best possible service to them

• Provide day-to-day assistance to staff on system and finance queries.

What you’ll need:

• Ideal candidates will be ACA qualified, with previous experience as a Finance Manager. Candidates will be confident, assertive, and proactive, with the ability to build rapport and effectively communicate with people at all levels. You will be determined to go the extra mile to achieve results.
• Effective management skills, championing the culture of progression within Brand Addition.
• Teamwork is essential in this role, as you need to ensure colleagues across a number of sites hit required deadlines, therefore you must be team orientated and able to maintain positive and supportive relationships with your colleagues at all times.
• Previous experience in a fast moving finance environment is essential.
• The position requires someone who is highly computer literate, with excellent Excel skills.
• Effective organizational ability and time management skills are crucial, and you must be able to work to tight deadlines.