European Financial Controller

The Kennedy Group; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

The Kennedy Group in Central London is seeking a Financial Controller to join our European finance team on a hybrid, permanent basis with immediate start or short notice preferred. You will take responsibility for the financial accounting and control of European entities, including month-end close, balance sheet reconciliations, VAT and statutory accounts, and audit coordination.

This autonomous role offers ownership, independence and the chance to work with stakeholders across multiple

Qualifications

• Qualified or suitably experienced accountant.
• Experience with country-specific accounting requirements.
• Able to own and manage multiple entities and jurisdictions.
• Strong attention to detail and a structured approach.
• Retail/consumer/high-volume environment experience is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Own month-end close and financial reporting for European entities.
• Coordinate balance sheet reconciliations and internal controls.
• Manage statutory accounts and audit coordination.
• Oversee VAT and country-specific compliance requirements.
• Work with local advisers and external stakeholders as needed.
• Support the wider European finance team with reporting and analysis.
• Identify opportunities to improve processes and controls as the business scales.
• Work across multiple entities and jurisdictions in a high-volume environment.
• Act as a key finance contact for entities and manage workload independently.

Skills

Financial accounting

Autonomy

Ownership

Overseas entities

Education

Professional accounting qualification (ACCA/CIMA/ACA)

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Central London | Hybrid | Permanent | Immediate start or short notice preferred

Fast-growing health & beauty retail business with a portfolio of beautifully designed, highly desirable products aimed at a younger, digitally engaged customer base.

As the business continues to grow internationally, they’re looking for a Financial Controller to join their European finance team, taking ownership of the accounting and financial control across a number of European entities.

This is an autonomous role with genuine ownership and visibility. You’ll be trusted to manage your entities, ensure robust financial control and work closely with colleagues across the wider European and Group finance teams.

The role

You’ll take responsibility for the financial accounting and control of European entities, including:

• Ownership of month-end close and financial reporting for some European entities
• Balance sheet reconciliations and control
• Statutory accounts and audit coordination
• VAT and other country-specific compliance requirements
• Working with local advisers and external stakeholders where required
• Supporting the wider European finance team with reporting and analysis
• Identifying opportunities to improve processes, controls and efficiency as the business scales
• Working across multiple entities and jurisdictions in a high-volume, low-value transaction environment
• Acting as a key finance contact for your entities and managing your workload independently

What they’re looking for

A qualified or suitably experienced accountant who enjoys having ownership and autonomy and is comfortable working across multiple entities and jurisdictions.

Experience of country-specific accounting requirements in one or more of the following would be particularly valuable:

• Germany
• France
• Spain
• Netherlands

You’ll ideally have:

• Strong financial accounting and financial control experience
• Experience working with overseas entities
• Good understanding of statutory and compliance requirements
• Excellent attention to detail and a structured approach
• The confidence to work independently and take ownership
• A proactive, commercially minded approach to problem-solving

Experience within retail, consumer, e-commerce, FMCG or another high-volume environment would be advantageous