Financial Controller – Shared Services

Company: Howett-Thorpe Recruitment Consultants Limited
Apply for the Financial Controller – Shared Services
Location: Wantage
Job Description:

We’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.

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 & 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)

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Posted: August 26th, 2026