Controller, EMEA West | Finance Manager, Financial Controller

Burlington Stores; City Of London; Hybrid; GBP 107,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Bonus target 20%

Job summary

Morningstar is seeking a Controller for the EMEA West region based in London. You will lead financial reporting and accounting across UK, Middle East, and Africa, ensuring compliance with US GAAP standards while coordinating with US and shared services teams.

The role requires a qualified accountant with at least 10 years of multinational experience, strong close and consolidation expertise, and proven leadership.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant with extensive experience in financial close, consolidation and reporting across multiple legal entities.
• Strong knowledge of SOX/internal controls and governance frameworks.
• Proven leadership with ability to develop and guide high-performing teams across global Finance.
• Excellent commercial and strategic acumen with ability to translate data into business actions.

Responsibilities

• Oversee general accounting, monthly close, audits, and tax/statutory reporting with support from US/shared services.
• Optimize the local finance team structure, including training, mentoring, and career development.
• Maintain internal controls for a US publicly traded company to achieve global harmonization.
• Lead efficient financial reporting and month-end close with adherence to local and global policies.
• Partner with regional leaders to ensure forecast accuracy and timely budgets.
• Identify and lead system/process improvements for global standardization and shared service use.
• Oversee statutory reporting, FCA submissions, and regulatory compliance across the region.
• Coordinate with external advisers for audit, tax, payroll, insurance and compliance.
• Serve as director for local legal entities when needed and support transfer pricing strategies.

Skills

Financial reporting

SOX/internal controls

People leadership

Strategic analysis

External stakeholder management

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA or equivalent

Degree in Finance or Accounting

Job description

About Morningstar

Morningstar is a leading global provider of independent investment insights, serving both individual and institutional investors across public and private markets. Our offerings include a wide range of data, research, and investment management services, with $300+ billion in assets under management.

Operating in 32 countries, Morningstar empowers investors, financial professionals, and institutions with the insights they need to make confident decisions and achieve their financial goals.

The Team

We are looking for a Controller to join our EMEA West region and become a key member of our global Finance team, which partners closely with the business to drive innovation, automation, and operational excellence.

The Role

As the Controller EMEA West, you will lead financial reporting and accounting activities across Morningstar's UK, Middle East, and Africa operations, ensuring compliance with the standards and controls expected of a publicly traded U.S. company.

Reporting to the Regional Controller EMEA, you will play a key role in planning, forecasting, and analysing regional financial performance. Partnering closely with senior business leaders and cross-functional Finance teams, you will provide meaningful financial insights, support strategic decision-making, and help drive operational excellence across the region.

This is a London-based, full-time opportunity operating under Morningstar's hybrid work model, with four in-office days each week to foster collaboration, relationship-building, and close engagement with colleagues and stakeholders.

What You'll Do

• Oversee general accounting functions, including monthly close process, financial audits, and tax/statutory reporting with support from U.S. and shared services accounting and finance teams.
• Optimize the organizational structure of the local finance team to best support the unique needs of the countries and the team, ensuring training, mentoring, and career development.
• Maintain and champion internal controls and processes appropriate for a U.S. publicly traded company to achieve global harmonization.
• Lead an efficient financial reporting process and month-end close to produce timely and accurate financial reports reflecting Morningstar's global accounting policies.
• Partner with the EMEA West (UK, Middle East, and Africa) regional business leaders and other areas of Finance to ensure accuracy of forecasts and budgets, identifying gaps and solutions.
• Identify and lead system and process improvement initiatives in support of global standardization, including the use of shared service capabilities within Finance.
• Oversee all statutory reporting requirements in the region, including regulatory submissions to the FCA, to ensure timely submission and compliance with local regulations.
• Lead and oversee various country projects and participate in global transformation projects, including system implementations, M&A activities, and process improvements.
• Coordinate with local external advisers for various activities, including audit, tax, payroll, insurance, and other compliance activities.
• Serve as director for local legal entities, as needed.
• Assist with transfer pricing and other tax planning strategies in conjunction with the corporate team.
• Perform other duties as assigned including the preparation of accounting memorandums and local policy documentation.

Who You Are

• Qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA, CIMA or equivalent) with a degree in Finance, Accounting, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive accounting and finance experience within a complex multinational organization operating across multiple legal entities.
• Extensive experience in financial close, consolidation, and reporting across multiple legal entities with knowledge of SOX/internal controls.
• Proven people leader with a track record of building, developing, and leading high-performing teams, while effectively influencing stakeholders across global Finance functions.
• Strong commercial and strategic acumen, with the ability to translate financial data into actionable business decisions.
• Deep understanding of financial structures, business value drivers, and performance management.
• Highly detail-oriented, with a commitment to accuracy, governance, and financial controls.
• Able to manage competing priorities and deliver to tight deadlines.
• Continuous improvement mindset with a proactive, solutions-focused approach.
• Knowledge of UK GAAP and/or US GAAP preferred.

Ready to Shape the Future?

At Morningstar, every hire we make strengthens our mission to empower investor success.

Base Salary Compensation Range

GBP 106,700.00-120,000.00

Bonus Target

20% Annual

We expect the compensation and target bonus for this role to fall within the stated range. The specific compensation offered will depend on the candidate's qualifications, experience, and other job-related factors.

Morningstar's hybrid work environment gives you the opportunity to collaborate in-person each week as we've found that we're at our best when we're purposely together on a regular basis. In most of our locations, our hybrid work model is four days in-office each week. A range of other benefits are also available to enhance flexibility as needs change. No matter where you are, you'll have tools and resources to engage meaningfully with your global colleagues.