Financial Control Team Lead

We are seeking an experienced, high-calibre Financial Control Team Lead to direct our offshore financial control function in Poland. Reporting directly to the Financial Controller – UK & EU, you will take full operational ownership of the end-to-end month-end closing process, statutory audit deliverables, and third-party vendor relationships.

A primary focus of this role is process embedding and controls uplift transforming existing workflows into scalable, best-in-class operations while embedding robust internal controls across all offshore accounting activities.

Key Responsibilities

1. Month-End Closing & Financial Reporting

• Closing Execution: Drive and execute the end-to-end month-end, quarter-end, and year-end financial close for several group entities and central processes and enhance financial discipline especially during year-end audit.
• Review & Oversight: Oversee balance sheet reconciliations, Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable, accruals, prepayments, fixed assets, and intercompany settlements.
• Variance Analysis: Conduct variance analysis (Actuals vs. Budget/Reforecasts) on costs line and provide commentary to the Finance and Business leadership team to support decision-making.
• Accuracy & Integrity: Ensure trial balance integrity across all legal entities, maintaining rigorous oversight of accounting treatments under UK GAAP/IFRS.
• Outsourced Services: Manage regular interactions and deliverables with third party providers, including outsourced AP function.
  

2. Audit Management & Compliance

• External & Internal Audits: Act as the primary offshore liaison for external auditors (e.g., Big 4) across all UK & EU subsidiaries.
• Audit Readiness: Build and maintain structured audit PBC (Provided by Client) schedules, ensuring all documentation, supporting evidence, and balance sheet files are fully audit-ready prior to submission.
• Statutory Accounts: Prepare first draft of financial statements, notes and ensuring adequate supporting is available for auditors.
• Remediation: Manage the resolution of audit findings, control deficiencies, and management letter points.
  

3. Process & Control Uplift (Transformation)

• Control Framework Enhancement: Assess the current internal control environment, identify gaps, and design/implement enhanced controls (to support overall Provision 29 sign-offs).
• Process Standardisation: Redesign and modernise manual or legacy financial workflows to establish standardized, best-practice processes across the offshore team.
• Automation & Efficiency: Identify continuous improvement opportunities, leveraging ERP capabilities, automation tools (e.g., HFM, Oracle), and standardized reporting templates.
• Governance: Establish clear Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), Process notes and control matrices, ensuring continuous update and compliance.
  

5. Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• People Leadership: Direct, mentor, and upskill a team of financial control / management accountants in Poland, establishing KPIs, conducting performance reviews, and fostering team atmosphere.

KEY SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

• Qualified accountant – Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA) or equivalent qualification with 6+ years of progressive experience within Financial Control, General Ledger or Shared Services with direct people management experience.
• Proven background in auditing / audit management (prior Big 4 / Top-tier firm experience is highly desirable)
• University degree 2:1 or above, preferably in an Accounting and Finance/Business/Economics related discipline, although this is not essential;
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, ensures accuracy in own work and in the underlying data;
• Experience of managing multiple deadlines with a track record of delivering under pressure;
• Experience of managing individuals, with experience in providing coaching and support to others;
• Willing to learn, bright and inquisitive, takes personal responsibility to deliver results;
• Intermediate Excel knowledge;
• Knowledge, understanding or demonstrable interest in financial markets.

Desirable:

• Financial Services experience or relevant work experience;
• Exposure to preparation of financial statements under IFRS;
• Demonstrated experience in process optimisation and controls remediation; and
• Experience of Oracle Financials and Hyperion Financial Management.