Group Financial Controller

KennedyPearce Consulting; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 153,000 - 187,000; Full time

Job summary

KennedyPearce Consulting is working with a private equity-backed international business to appoint an experienced Group Financial Controller who will lead the financial control function across multiple international entities. Reporting to the CFO, this high-visibility role covers financial reporting, technical accounting, governance, statutory compliance, and finance transformation.

The successful candidate will manage a finance team, oversee month-end close, consolidations, and external audits,

Qualifications

• ACA qualified with Big Four training.
• Experience in financial control and group reporting in a large multinational.
• Proven ability to prepare consolidated financial statements.
• Experience leading statutory reporting and external audits.
• Experience managing a finance team ~3 direct reports.

Responsibilities

• Lead Group Financial Control across multiple international entities.
• Ensure timely monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting.
• Provide technical accounting expertise for complex transactions.
• Oversee statutory reporting, audits, and cross-jurisdiction compliance.
• Develop and mentor a high-performing finance team.
• Drive finance transformation and process improvements.
• Partner with senior leadership on growth and commercial decisions.
• Review significant contracts for accounting implications.
• Lead cross-functional finance projects.
• Maintain internal controls and governance.

Skills

Technical accounting

Consolidated statements

Statutory reporting

Education

ACA qualified

Tools

SAP

Job description

Our client is a private equity-backed international business operating across the media, entertainment, and creative industries.

About the Role

As part of its continued growth, they are looking to appoint an experienced Group Financial Controller to lead the financial control function across multiple international entities. Reporting directly to the CFO, this is a highly visible leadership role with responsibility for financial reporting, technical accounting, governance, statutory compliance, and finance transformation. The successful candidate will work closely with senior stakeholders across the business, ensuring robust financial controls while supporting strategic growth initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Group Financial Control function, overseeing month-end close, consolidations, and financial reporting across multiple international entities.
• Ensure the timely delivery of monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reporting.
• Provide technical accounting expertise across complex transactions, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards.
• Oversee statutory reporting, external audits, and regulatory compliance across multiple jurisdictions.
• Maintain and enhance the group's financial control framework, policies, governance, and internal controls.
• Partner with senior leadership to support business growth, strategic initiatives, and commercial decision-making.
• Review significant commercial contracts and advise on accounting implications.
• Drive continuous improvement across finance processes, systems, automation, and reporting.
• Lead cross-functional finance projects and operational change initiatives.
• Develop, mentor, and inspire a high-performing finance team while fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• ACA qualified, having trained with one of the Big Four accounting firms.
• Extensive experience in financial control, group reporting, or technical accounting within a large multinational organisation, ideally with a US-headquartered business.
• Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience preparing consolidated financial statements.
• Proven experience leading statutory reporting, external audits, and maintaining a robust financial control environment.
• Previous experience managing and developing a finance team (circa 3 direct reports).
• Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence senior leadership.
• Strong commercial awareness and a proactive, collaborative approach.

Required Skills

• Strong technical accounting knowledge.
• Experience preparing consolidated financial statements.
• Proven experience leading statutory reporting and external audits.

Preferred Skills

• Experience within the media, entertainment, creative, or digital sectors.
• Experience working in a private equity-backed or high-growth environment.
• Experience using SAP or another ERP system.
• Exposure to finance transformation, process improvement, or systems implementation initiatives.

Pay range and compensation package

Salary of up to £170,000 plus annual bonus. Comprehensive benefits package. Hybrid and flexible working arrangements. Opportunity to work closely with the CFO and executive leadership team. A high-impact role within a dynamic international organisation undergoing continued growth and transformation. Excellent long-term career progression and exposure to strategic finance initiatives.