Financial Controller

SFE Group UK Ltd; Stockport; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

S.F.E. Group is seeking a Financial Controller to lead the finance function for the French entity, ensuring accurate reporting and strong governance.

You will partner with local management and collaborate with the International Financial Controller in Germany and Group Finance in the USA. The role requires building a small team, delivering statutory accounts, budgets and cash flow analyses, and driving process improvements across the European operations.

Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, DSCG, DEC or an equivalent recognised accounting qualification.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function for the French legal entity, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Supervise, coach and develop the local finance team (2 employees).
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with local GAAP, IFRS and Group reporting requirements.
• Coordinate the statutory year-end accounts and act as the main point of contact for external auditors, tax advisers and local authorities.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, corporate policies and local statutory requirements.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections, providing meaningful financial analysis to support business decisions.
• Partner with operational management to monitor financial performance, identify risks and drive profitability improvements.
• Work closely with the International Financial Controller (Germany) and Group Finance (USA) to support monthly consolidation and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, systems and reporting across the business.
• Support finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives within the Group.

Skills

IFRS knowledge

Leadership experience

Fluent in French and English

Education

Bachelor's degree in Accounting, Finance or related discipline

Tools

SAP

Microsoft Dynamics

Oracle

NetSuite

Job description

Role Summary

As Financial Controller, you will be responsible for the finance function of our French legal entity, ensuring accurate financial reporting, strong governance and effective business partnering with local management.

Working closely with the International Financial Controller based in Germany and the Group Finance leadership in the United States, you will contribute to the continued development of finance processes across S.F.E. Group while supporting the growth of our French operations.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the finance function for the French legal entity, ensuring accurate and timely financial reporting.
• Supervise, coach and develop the local finance team (2 employees).
• Prepare and review monthly, quarterly and annual financial statements in accordance with local GAAP, IFRS and Group reporting requirements.
• Coordinate the statutory year-end accounts and act as the main point of contact for external auditors, tax advisers and local authorities.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, corporate policies and local statutory requirements.
• Prepare budgets, forecasts and cash flow projections, providing meaningful financial analysis to support business decisions.
• Partner with operational management to monitor financial performance, identify risks and drive profitability improvements.
• Work closely with the International Financial Controller (Germany) and Group Finance (USA) to support monthly consolidation and reporting.
• Identify opportunities to improve financial processes, systems and reporting across the business.
• Support finance transformation and continuous improvement initiatives within the Group.

Candidate Profile

Essential Qualifications

• ACA, ACCA, CIMA, DSCG, DEC or an equivalent recognised accounting qualification.
• Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in Accounting, Finance or a related discipline.

Essential Experience

• At least 8-10 years of experience in Finance, Audit, or Financial Controlling within an international environment.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring finance team members.
• Strong knowledge of IFRS. Experience of reporting under US GAAP would be an advantage.
• Experience preparing statutory financial statements and managing external audits.
• Experience in budgeting, forecasting and business partnering with operational teams.
• Strong hands-on mindset
• Experience working within a manufacturing or industrial environment would be an advantage.
• Fluent in French and English (spoken and written)
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Microsoft Dynamics, Oracle, NetSuite or similar)
• High level of accuracy, strong analytical skills, autonomy, and excellent communication abilities.

Personal Attributes

High integrity and professional credibility.

Hands-on and proactive approach.

Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

Commercially minded with the ability to influence decision-making.

Able to work independently while collaborating within an international organisation.

Continuous improvement mindset.

Compensation & Benefits

Location: The role can be based either at our UK headquarters in Stockport (Greater Manchester) or at our French headquarters in Étoile-sur-Rhône (near Valence), depending on the successful candidate.

We offer a competitive salary and benefits package, aligned with the successful candidate's experience, qualifications and country of employment