Group Financial Controller

As the Group Financial Controller for EMEA, you will be responsible for overseeing the financial health and operational efficiency of the EMEA region. This position will manage the Accounts Payable (AP) Shared Service Centre, Accounts Receivable (AR) Shared Service Centre, Finance Systems & Transformation, and SG&A reporting & control. You will have responsibility to ensure the alignment of financial practices with the strategic goals of the organization, drive continuous improvement in financial processes, and maintain compliance with regulatory standards across the EMEA region. You will lead and develop the finance team, fostering a strong financial control environment.
Duties

• Lead the AP shared service team to ensure timely and accurate processing of vendor payments


• Implement best practices and process improvements to enhance efficiency and accuracy


• Monitor and manage working capital and cashflow through effective AP processes


• Lead the AR shared service team to optimize the collection process, minimize overdue debt and reduce days sales outstanding (DSO)


• Develop and enforce credit policies to manage customer credit risk


• Ensure accurate and timely invoicing and dispute resolution


• Manage the implementation and maintenance of financial systems across the EMEA region, ensuring data integrity and accuracy within the finance systems


• Collaborate with IT and other stakeholders to enhance system capabilities and reporting functionalities


• Oversee the preparation and analysis of SG&A reporting to ensure accurate and insightful reporting


• Provide strategic insights and recommendations to senior management based on SG&A trends and variances, also supporting the annual budgeting and forecasting process


• Drive cost control initiatives and identify opportunities for operational efficiencies


• Where relevant, oversee the production of accurate & timely monthly management accounts including P&L, balance sheet and cashflows


• Ensure compliance with all relevant tax, legal, and financial reporting regulations.


• Coordinate with external auditors and regulatory bodies.


• Prepare and present accurate and timely financial statements in line with statutory and other external stakeholder deadlines, ensuring compliance with accounting standards and regulatory requirements


• Lead, mentor, and develop the finance team of up to 25, fostering a collaborative and high-performance work environment with a culture of accountability, continuous improvement and automation


• Support the Senior Director & Treasury Director on managing cashflow and working capital across the group


• Onboard new territories within the EMEA business to include onboarding legal entities to Yardi, identifying in-country fiduciary support and understanding the tax and legislative environment


• Implement and maintain robust financial controls and procedures to safeguard firm assets and ensure accuracy in financial reporting


• Serve as the primary financial contact for internal and external stakeholders.


• Support senior management with financial planning and strategic initiatives.
  
  Fully qualified accountant with experience of managing multi-entity scopes


• 5+ years in a senior finance role


• Highly developed financial leadership and management skills, leading teams of 20+ people


• Proficient in financial systems and software with experience in finance transformation preferred


• Experience of managing relationships with external advisors; auditors, financial advisors etc.


• Strong analytical skills with attention to detail


• Experience in dealing with customer issues and problem solve


• Highly developed skills at developing and maintaining strong relationships at a senior level.


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills across a variety of formats and styles.


• Excellent organisational skills, the ability to manage multiple projects and deliver to tight deadlines under pressure.


• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) with the ability to communicate internally with team members as well as externally with vendors and other service providers.


• Assertive and confident with a high level of personal and professional credibility


• Excellent planning and organisation skills with the ability to manage conflicting priorities and meet tight deadlines


• Assertive and confident and able to quickly build a high level of personal and professional credibility within the business and customer base


• Ability to lead and engage people in a fast-changing environment to achieve results through others


• Ability to build strong relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, influencing and negotiating at the most senior levels


• Work effectively in collaboration cross-functionally to achieve shared goals and deliver business objectives


• Confident decision maker, even with incomplete or limited information


• Travel is expected to be less than 5%, occasionally for training purposes