Financial Controller

Kennedy Pearce are hiring an experienced Financial Control to oversee financial reporting, accounting operations and governance across a complex international business. This is a senior leadership role responsible for ensuring robust financial controls, accurate reporting, regulatory compliance and continuous process improvement, while leading and developing a high-performing finance team. This is a global sports and media agency and the ideal candidate will be working in a similar industry.

This role is 3-4 days in the office and manages a team of 3. Working closely with senior stakeholders across the organisation, you will provide technical accounting expertise, drive operational excellence and help shape the future finance function.

Key Responsibilities:

Lead all aspects of the accounting function, including month-end close, financial consolidation and statutory reporting. Oversee the timely and accurate production of monthly, quarterly and annual financial results across multiple international entities. Review commercial contracts and new business arrangements to identify accounting implications and ensure appropriate treatment. Provide technical accounting guidance on complex and significant transactions, ensuring compliance with relevant accounting standards, including UK GAAP, US GAAP and other applicable international standards.

Assess emerging accounting standards and lead implementation of new reporting requirements where necessary. Controls & Governance Develop and maintain a strong financial control environment, ensuring processes, systems and policies support business growth. Strengthen internal controls to protect company assets, minimise risk and ensure compliance with regulatory requirements. Develop and maintain accounting policies and procedures that promote consistency and best practice across the business.

Ensure all finance activities are conducted ethically and in accordance with applicable laws, regulations and company policies. Process Improvement Drive continuous improvement across finance processes through automation, systems enhancement and operational efficiencies. Lead cross-functional finance projects and support major organisational change initiatives. Champion the use of technology to improve reporting accuracy, efficiency and decision-making. Develop and deliver effective change management and communication plans for finance initiatives.

Audit & Compliance Lead statutory audits across multiple legal entities and support group audit activities. Manage relationships with external auditors and ensure timely resolution of technical accounting matters. Support external financial audits, internal audits and regulatory reviews. Work closely with tax specialists to ensure compliance with local tax legislation across multiple jurisdictions. Leadership Lead, mentor and develop a high-performing finance team, creating a culture of accountability, collaboration and continuous improvement.

Set clear objectives, provide coaching and support career development across the team. Foster strong relationships with stakeholders across the business to deliver a customer-focused finance function. Build organisational capability by implementing best-practice structures, processes and ways of working. The ideal candidate:
You are a technically strong accounting professional with extensive leadership experience and a passion for building high-performing finance functions. You combine excellent technical expertise with commercial awareness and thrive in fast-paced, international environments. Fully qualified ACA or ACCA. Strong knowledge of UK GAAP, US GAAP and international financial reporting requirements. Ideally worked in a US listed business 15 years' progressive accounting experience, ideally combining public practice and industry.

Strong technical accounting knowledge and experience managing complex financial reporting environments. Highly proficient in ERP systems and financial reporting tools.