Financial Controller - Shared Services
CV-LibraryOX12permanentPosted: 21 April 2026
Apply NowWe’re partnering with a leading international business to recruit a Financial Controller to join the controllership team within their European Shared Service Centre.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role with a clear mandate: to transform and elevate controllership into a best-in-class, insight-led finance function. You’ll be instrumental in shaping how finance supports a complex, multi-entity European operation—moving from efficient delivery to true strategic value.
This is an opportunity to step into a role where your influence will be felt across the business. You’ll lead change, enhance control, and develop a team capable of operating at a significantly higher level. If you’re motivated by building, improving, and leading from the front, this role offers both challenge and genuine scope.
Salary: £80 - 85,000
Ref: 16039
Financial Controller – Shared Services – Benefits
25 days annual leave
9:00 am – 17:00 – Office-based position
Company Car
Salary Exchange Pension Scheme
Non-Contributory Life Assurance
Private Medical Insurance
Group Income Protection
Financial Controller – Shared Services – About The Role
Reporting to the Director of European Shared Services, you will take ownership of the controllership agenda across multiple European entities, driving both performance and transformation.
Act as the European lead for R2R, setting the standard for governance, control, and best practice
Own the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of financial reporting across all entities
Lead balance sheet governance, ensuring risks are identified, understood, and resolved proactively
Ensure alignment across management, statutory, and tax reporting frameworks
Lead the end-to-end close process, driving quality, consistency, and reduced cycle times
Create a “first-time right” culture across journals, reconciliations, and reporting
Oversee the delivery of clear, insightful reporting and meaningful performance analysis
Lead the relationship with external auditors, ensuring smooth and efficient audit cycles
Own and strengthen the control environment, including SOX compliance
Lead, develop, and inspire a team of c.10–15, building capability and accountability
Drive standardisation and optimisation of processes across European operations
Identify and deliver efficiencies, improving close timelines and reporting quality
Champion automation and the effective use of systems (SAP S/4HANA, OneStream)
Act as a key link between Shared Services, local finance teams, and Group Finance
The successful Financial Controller – Shared Services will have:
Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
Proven controllership experience within a complex, international environment
Strong technical accounting knowledge (IFRS / US GAAP) and controls (SOX preferred)
A track record of driving improvement, transformation, and team development
Strong systems capability (SAP S/4HANA, OneStream or similar preferred)
Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.
Refer a Friend
If this role isn’t right for you but you know someone who would be a strong fit, we offer a referral scheme with vouchers awarded for successful placements (terms & conditions apply)
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role with a clear mandate: to transform and elevate controllership into a best-in-class, insight-led finance function. You’ll be instrumental in shaping how finance supports a complex, multi-entity European operation—moving from efficient delivery to true strategic value.
This is an opportunity to step into a role where your influence will be felt across the business. You’ll lead change, enhance control, and develop a team capable of operating at a significantly higher level. If you’re motivated by building, improving, and leading from the front, this role offers both challenge and genuine scope.
Salary: £80 - 85,000
Ref: 16039
Financial Controller – Shared Services – Benefits
25 days annual leave
9:00 am – 17:00 – Office-based position
Company Car
Salary Exchange Pension Scheme
Non-Contributory Life Assurance
Private Medical Insurance
Group Income Protection
Financial Controller – Shared Services – About The Role
Reporting to the Director of European Shared Services, you will take ownership of the controllership agenda across multiple European entities, driving both performance and transformation.
Act as the European lead for R2R, setting the standard for governance, control, and best practice
Own the integrity, accuracy, and completeness of financial reporting across all entities
Lead balance sheet governance, ensuring risks are identified, understood, and resolved proactively
Ensure alignment across management, statutory, and tax reporting frameworks
Lead the end-to-end close process, driving quality, consistency, and reduced cycle times
Create a “first-time right” culture across journals, reconciliations, and reporting
Oversee the delivery of clear, insightful reporting and meaningful performance analysis
Lead the relationship with external auditors, ensuring smooth and efficient audit cycles
Own and strengthen the control environment, including SOX compliance
Lead, develop, and inspire a team of c.10–15, building capability and accountability
Drive standardisation and optimisation of processes across European operations
Identify and deliver efficiencies, improving close timelines and reporting quality
Champion automation and the effective use of systems (SAP S/4HANA, OneStream)
Act as a key link between Shared Services, local finance teams, and Group Finance
The successful Financial Controller – Shared Services will have:
Fully qualified accountant (ACA / ACCA / CIMA or equivalent)
Proven controllership experience within a complex, international environment
Strong technical accounting knowledge (IFRS / US GAAP) and controls (SOX preferred)
A track record of driving improvement, transformation, and team development
Strong systems capability (SAP S/4HANA, OneStream or similar preferred)
Howett Thorpe are acting as a recruitment agency in relation to this role and comply with all relevant UK legislation and do not discriminate on any protected characteristics. Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we are unable to respond to all candidates. If you do not hear from a Consultant within 5 working days, please assume that you have not been successful.
Refer a Friend
If this role isn’t right for you but you know someone who would be a strong fit, we offer a referral scheme with vouchers awarded for successful placements (terms & conditions apply)