Financial Controller

GEA is one of the world’s largest systems suppliers for the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Our portfolio includes machinery and plants as well as advanced process technology, components and comprehensive services. Guided by a strong sense of purpose, our more than 18,000 dedicated employees work to enhance the sustainability and efficiency of production processes globally.

Responsibilities / Tasks

We are looking for a hands-on, commercially minded Financial Controller to lead day-to-day finance operations, strengthen controls, and partner with the business on performance. You will own month-end, statutory reporting, quarterly divisional reporting, and cash management, while driving continuous improvement across our Sage environment. The ideal candidate will have experience in organizations transitioning into a new group structure with developing control frameworks. They will be a proactive, self-driven problem solver with the ability to implement practical solutions in evolving processes. This role requires adaptability, resilience, and the capability to thrive in a dynamic setting where governance and controls are still maturing.

Financial Reporting & Compliance

• Lead the preparation and delivery of accurate and timely monthly, quarterly, and annual financial reports in line with UK GAAP/IFRS and Group reporting standards.
• Ensure compliance with internal controls, accounting policies, and statutory requirements.
• Manage the month-end and year-end close processes, ensuring deadlines are met and variances are explained.
• Oversee AP, AR, treasury, payroll interface, and balance-sheet integrity (reconciliations, accruals & provisions, fixed assets, intercompany).
• Maintain and enhance internal controls, policies, and governance.
• Optimise finance processes and reporting in Sage 50 (will be replaced with Sage 200), including master data, closing routines, and BI outputs.
• Experience in retail environment with exposure in stock accounting (preferred)
• Maintain car fleet records to support insurance and P11D requirements.
• Demonstrates a practical, hands-on mindset and takes initiative to identify and solve operational issues independently.
• Business partner with functional leaders (Sales, Ops, Supply Chain) to support pricing, margins, across product lines.
• Coordinate compliance (VAT and support in corporation tax), management relationship with HMRC
• Prepare monthly IFRS financial statements, including PoC (Percentage of Completion) and project accounting modules.
• Lead the implementation and onboarding process of the Sage200 accounting software
• Deliver internal margin analysis, KPIs, and ad hoc financial reports for Division Finance and local management.
• Manage and lead budgeting, rolling forecasts, and ensure compliance with the uniform chart of accounts.
• Oversee daily cash and bank operations, including payment processing, and contract follow-ups.
• Manage vendor and account reconciliations, invoice transaction processing, and Sage 200 bookkeeping accuracy.
• Dual Reporting & Stakeholder Management
• Experience in retail environment with exposure in stock accounting (preferred)
• Maintain car fleet records to support insurance and P11D requirements.
• Demonstrates a practical, hands-on mindset and takes initiative to identify and solve operational issues independently.
• Coordinate compliance (VAT and support in corporation tax), management relationship with HMRC
• Prepare monthly IFRS financial statements, including PoC (Percentage of Completion) and project accounting modules.
• Lead the implementation and onboarding process of the Sage200 accounting software
• Manage and lead budgeting, rolling forecasts, and ensure compliance with the uniform chart of accounts.
• Oversee daily cash and bank operations, including payment processing, and contract follow-ups.
• Manage vendor and account reconciliations, invoice transaction processing, and Sage 200 bookkeeping accuracy.
• Dual Reporting & Stakeholder Management
• Act as a key finance business partner, providing insights and financial support to both country and divisional leadership.

Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop direct reporting team, fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement and maintain a harmonious and productive team environment.
• Identify skill gaps and implement a structured development and upskilling plan for the team.
• Promote a positive team environment, encouraging open communication, knowledge sharing, and mutual support.
• Act as a conflict resolver and mediator, ensuring issues within the team or across departments are addressed constructively.

Process Improvement & Controls

• Drive improvements in financial processes, systems, and reporting tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Implement and monitor robust internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure data integrity.
• Audit and Compliance Oversight
• Drive improvements in financial processes, systems, and reporting tools to enhance efficiency and accuracy.
• Implement and monitor robust internal controls to safeguard company assets and ensure data integrity.
• Audit and Compliance Oversight
• Lead the coordination and delivery of internal and external audits (IFRS and UK GAAP) for the legal entity, ensuring timely responses, audit readiness, and full compliance with audit requirements.
• Act as the primary point of contact for auditors and ensure all audit findings are addressed and resolved promptly.

Planning, Forecasting & Analysis

• Support the budgeting and forecasting processes, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives.
• Provide insightful variance analysis and commentary to support decision-making at both regional and divisional levels.
• Manage budgeting, forecasting, and rolling cash-flow; challenge assumptions and highlight risks/opportunities. Leading the budget presentation in front of senior stakeholders.

Communication & Collaboration

• Serve as a bridge between operational teams and finance, translating financial data into actionable business insights.
• Communicate effectively with senior stakeholders, auditors, and external advisors.

Systems & Tools

• Champion the use of ERP systems and reporting tools (e.g., Sage200 & Power BI) to streamline reporting and analysis.
• Ensure data quality and consistency across systems used for financial reporting.

Your Profile / Qualifications

• Qualified accountant: ACA / ACCA / CIMA (or international equivalent).
• Experience: 7+ years PQE in progressively senior finance roles, including ownership of month-end and statutory reporting.
• Systems: Proven proficiency with (Sage200); strong Excel and reporting/BI skills.
• Solid knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS, revenue recognition, inventory and cost accounting, and cash management.
• Demonstrated track record improving processes/controls and partnering with non-finance stakeholders.
• Preferred background: Training/early career in a top tier firms (Audit/Advisory/TS) with strong technical grounding
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership and auditors.
• Analytical, detail-driven, and deadline focused.
• Pragmatic problem-solver who can simplify complexity.
• Proactive, curious, and continuous-improvement mindset
• Systems: Proven proficiency with (Sage200); strong Excel and reporting/BI skills.
• Solid knowledge of UK GAAP/IFRS, revenue recognition, inventory and cost accounting, and cash management.
• Demonstrated track record improving processes/controls and partnering with non-finance stakeholders.
• Preferred background: Training/early career in a top tier firms (Audit/Advisory/TS) with strong technical grounding
• Excellent communication skills; comfortable presenting to senior leadership and auditors.
• Analytical, detail-driven, and deadline focused.
• Pragmatic problem-solver who can simplify complexity.
• Proactive, curious, and continuous-improvement mindset
• Did we spark your interest?
• Then please click apply above to access our guided application process.