Group Financial Controller

Communicate Recruitment Solutions; Dublin; On-site; EUR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Communicate Recruitment Solutions is seeking a Group Financial Controller for a major financial services group based in Dublin. The role offers broad exposure to the Group, including governance, regulatory obligations and strategic finance initiatives.

The successful candidate will report to the CFO, oversee statutory accounts, external audits, budgeting, forecasting and cash flow management, and lead a multi-entity finance team within a regulated environment.

Qualifications

• Qualified accountant (ACA/ACCA/CIMA).
• Substantial post-qualification experience in a senior financial control role.
• Strong understanding of financial accounting, consolidation and group reporting.
• Proven track record in statutory accounts and external audit coordination.
• Excellent Excel skills and familiarity with financial reporting systems.

Responsibilities

• Own the Group's financial reporting framework across monthly, quarterly and annual cycles.
• Coordinate consolidated management accounts and ensure accuracy and timeliness.
• Maintain robust accounting controls and apply group-wide policies.
• Oversee cash flow, balance sheet, provisions and reconciliations.
• Lead finance team development and stakeholder engagement.
• Drive finance transformation and adoption of new tools and AI where appropriate.

Skills

Leadership

Financial analysis

Strategic thinking

Education

ACA/ACCA/CIMA

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

An established and rapidly expanding financial services organisation is seeking to strengthen its senior finance function with the appointment of a Group Financial Controller.

Operating across several complementary business units within a regulated environment, the organisation has experienced significant growth and continues to pursue an ambitious expansion strategy. With ongoing investment in its people, technology and infrastructure, the business is entering an exciting phase of development, with further opportunities expected through both continued organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

The Finance function has responsibility for multiple operating entities and the wider Group structure. This position will therefore offer broad exposure to the overall business, providing an opportunity to influence financial strategy, strengthen reporting capabilities and contribute to the organisation's continued development.

The Role

Reporting directly to the Chief Financial Officer, the Group Financial Controller will assume responsibility for the overall financial control and reporting framework across the Group.

The successful individual will oversee the delivery of reliable financial information, ensure appropriate accounting standards and controls are maintained, and drive improvements across the wider Finance function.

This position combines technical financial expertise with commercial awareness and leadership capability. It will suit an individual who enjoys being closely involved in day-to-day finance operations while also contributing to senior-level decision-making and longer-term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

• Take ownership of the Group's financial reporting framework, overseeing all monthly, quarterly and annual reporting cycles.
• Coordinate the production and review of consolidated management accounts, ensuring information is accurate and delivered within agreed deadlines.
• Establish and maintain effective accounting controls, ensuring appropriate financial procedures and reporting standards are consistently applied.
• Oversee key accounting estimates, balance sheet movements, provisions and reconciliation processes.
• Ensure alignment of accounting treatments and financial policies across the various Group companies.
• Drive improvements in reporting quality, consistency and the overall efficiency of the financial close process.

Audit, Statutory Accounts & Regulatory Obligations

• Direct the preparation and completion of statutory accounts for all relevant Group entities.
• Take responsibility for coordinating external audit engagements, acting as the main finance contact throughout the process.
• Monitor compliance with financial reporting, taxation, VAT and other statutory obligations.
• Liaise with external professional advisers to ensure all relevant submissions and compliance requirements are fulfilled.
• Work alongside the CFO to maintain robust governance arrangements and ensure adherence to applicable regulatory requirements.

Budgeting, Forecasting & Financial Analysis

• Play an active role in the development and coordination of annual budgets and periodic financial forecasts.
• Monitor business performance through detailed variance analysis, highlighting risks, opportunities and areas requiring attention.
• Partner with departmental and operational management to assess financial results and provide insight into business performance.
• Translate financial data into meaningful recommendations to support commercial decisions and strategic planning.
• Provide senior management with clear visibility of financial trends and future business requirements.

Cash Flow & Financial Position

• Oversee Group liquidity, cash flow movements and working capital performance.
• Maintain appropriate controls and reporting procedures across the Group's balance sheet.
• Contribute to the development of cash flow projections and longer-term funding requirements.
• Work closely with the CFO on treasury-related matters and the effective management of Group financial resources.

People Management & Stakeholder Engagement

• Manage and mentor the finance team, promoting professional development, accountability and consistently high standards.
• Establish effective relationships with senior stakeholders across the organisation, providing financial guidance and commercial support.
• Act as a key point of contact for the CFO on all matters relating to financial control, reporting and accounting operations.
• Contribute financial expertise to strategic business initiatives, including potential acquisitions, post-acquisition integration and wider transformation projects.
• Encourage a collaborative approach between Finance and the wider business.

Finance Transformation & Systems Development

• Assess existing finance procedures and identify opportunities to improve processes, controls and operational efficiency.
• Lead initiatives to enhance financial reporting through better use of technology, automation and system capabilities.
• Promote the adoption of new tools and innovative approaches to streamline accounting activities.
• Ensure finance infrastructure and processes remain appropriate as the organisation expands and its operational requirements develop.
• Explore opportunities to incorporate AI into finance processes to improve productivity, reporting and decision-making.

Candidate Requirements

• Professionally qualified accountant (ACA, ACCA or CIMA).
• Substantial post-qualification experience in a senior financial control position, ideally at Financial Controller or Group Financial Controller level.
• Comprehensive understanding of financial accounting, consolidation and group reporting.
• Proven track record overseeing statutory accounts preparation and external audit engagements.
• Strong technical knowledge of accounting standards, internal controls and financial governance.
• Demonstrable experience managing cash flow, working capital and balance sheet reporting.
• Previous responsibility for managing, mentoring and developing a finance team.
• Advanced Excel skills and confidence working with financial reporting systems and technology.
• Experience operating within a multi-entity organisation or complex Group structure.
• Background in financial services, insurance or another regulated sector would be beneficial, although candidates from other industries will also be considered.
• An interest in emerging technologies, particularly the practical application of AI within finance operations.

Personal Attributes

• A self-starting individual who takes ownership, demonstrates initiative and actively identifies opportunities to improve existing practices.
• A collaborative approach, with the ability to build effective relationships across different levels of an organisation.
• Naturally inquisitive, with a genuine interest in developing processes and challenging established ways of working.
• An effective communicator who can present complex financial information clearly and influence stakeholders at senior level.
• Comfortable balancing detailed operational responsibilities with broader commercial and strategic priorities.