European Accountant

Illinois Tool Works, Inc.; High Wycombe; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

A multinational engineering company located in High Wycombe is seeking a qualified individual to manage financial reporting operations. The successful candidate must be fluent in both English and French, demonstrate strong accounting skills, and possess relevant finance qualifications. Responsibilities include managing departmental reporting, ensuring compliance with US-GAAP, and supporting local tax reporting. This role requires excellent communication skills and an ability to work under pressure.

Qualifications

• Fluent in English and French, both verbal and written.
• Relevant finance qualification is required.
• Strong Accounting experience is essential.

Responsibilities

• Manage financial reporting activities including monthly management accounts.
• Support monthly analytical review of departmental expenses.
• Ensure timely tax calculations and local statutory reporting.

Skills

Fluent in English

Fluent in French

Strong Accounting experience

Good Excel skills

Data analysis and interpretation skills

Education

Relevant finance qualification

Job description

Overview

Responsible for all aspects of financial reporting within the Instron France legal entity. Supporting the European Finance Manager with reporting for other European entities and Business Teams. Reporting to the European Finance Manager, based in High Wycombe.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for Instron France financial reporting activities including monthly management accounts, headcount reporting, warranty and installation, allocations, inventory, shipment reporting, trial balance reports.
• Complete monthly analytical review of monthly departmental expenses
• Create Balance Sheet reconciliation file and ensure completed and reviewed quarterly
• Manage the month end accrual & prepayment entries
• Monitor orders for revenue recognition and enter associated journals (with input from European Headquarters)
• Manage payroll entries & taxes in conjunction with external salary office. Responsible for the management of external salary office, including ensuring HR information is kept up to date including contractual information
• Manage fixed assets and capital expenditure approvals
• Manage all audits, both internal and external
• Manage all aspects of local statutory and tax reporting including tax calculations in conjunction with the group Country Controller's Office and local tax consultant
• Complete all group reporting (US-GAAP) within correct timescales, bridge to local statutory figures and tax reporting
• Complete tax calculations with group Country Controller's Office
• Support Assistant Accountant with expense system and expenditure approvals
• Support Assistant Accountant with France AR accounting, monthly balance sheet reconciliations and aged debt reporting
• Support Assistant Accountant with France AP accounting, cash and balance sheet reconciliations
• Complete ad hoc reporting for European Finance as directed by European Finance Manager
• Support France office management financial queries, working with the France General Manager

Key Competencies

• Able to prioritise and multi-task
• Remains calm and patient under deadline pressure
• Flexible, resilient and demonstration of a positive, 'can do' attitude
• Strong team player and approachable
• High level of accuracy and attention to detail
• Excellent communication skills; verbal and written
• Strong interpersonal skills and confidence to work at various levels of the organization
• Ability to work in a matrix organisation

Qualifications

• Relevant finance qualification
• Fluent in English and French, both verbal and written.

Key Experiences

• Strong Accounting experience
• Good Excel, data analysis and interpretation skills