Senior Financial Controller

KennedyPearce are hiring an experienced finance leader 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.

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.
• 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.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver results through collaboration, integrity and continuous improvement.