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 part of the ongoing investment into the finance function, a Financial Controller is being appointed to take ownership of the European entity reporting and to partner closely with the Group Finance leadership on consolidation, controls and process improvement.

The Role

Reporting into senior Group Finance, the Financial Controller will own the day-to-day financial control for the European entities, ensuring accurate and timely reporting across a multi-currency, multi-jurisdiction structure. The role blends technical accounting depth with hands-on ownership, and offers real breadth for a qualified accountant looking for genuine European exposure without leaving the UK. This is a lean, capable team with strong Group support and a clear roadmap for the function.

Key Responsibilities

• Own the month-end close and management reporting for the European entities
• Prepare consolidated European reporting into the Group finance function
• Manage multi-currency accounting, intercompany balances and FX exposure
• Oversee statutory reporting, VAT and local compliance across the European jurisdictions in scope
• Partner with local finance contacts and external advisors across Europe
• Strengthen financial controls, policies and process across the European entities
• Support the annual audit and liaise with local and Group auditors
• Contribute to budgeting, forecasting and ad-hoc commercial analysis for the European business

What we are looking for

• Fully qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA) with a strong technical foundation
• Experience of multi-entity, multi-currency reporting, ideally with European exposure
• Comfortable owning close, consolidation and statutory reporting end to end
• Prior 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